Rayville Mayor Harry Lewis was re-elected Saturday by a 67 percent margin in an election marred by an alleged scuffle with another candidate.
Louisiana State Police Troop F is currently investigating whether or not Lewis struck candidate Marcus Hubbard with a crowbar during a dispute over campaign signs earlier in the day.
Witnesses claimed Lewis struck Hubbard while demanding Hubbard remove signs Lewis claimed were on his property.
The Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office has asked the Louisiana State Police to investigate the matter.
In spite of the incident, Lewis won the election, receiving 474 votes in the mayor’s election while Cassius Muhammad received 130 and Hubbard received 104 votes.
“I want to thank the people for their support,” Lewis said. “I look forward to working for them to move the town forward and to future improvements.”
The five candidates winning at-large positions on the Rayville Town Council Saturday were Consuela Hunter with 460 votes, Debra K. James with 411 votes, Jerry Gordon with 380 votes, Paula Buie Cumpton with 350 votes and Joseph D. Fletcher Jr., with 336 votes.
Also running were Toni Potts with 335 votes, Jordan Hubbard with 271 votes and Howard Banks with 246 votes.