By JIM BUTLER

Election contests are set for two parishwide posts and there could be linkage between them.

Meanwhile several members of the legislative delegation get a free pass, indicating either constituents are for the most part happy or reapportionment did its insulating job (10 legislative districts have part of Rapides within them).

Sheriff Mark Wood and Assessor Rick Ducote have opponents, both of whom are likely to beat the drum over startling revelation earlier this year regarding assessment of property owned by Wood and others.

Ducote claiming shock and indignation, invoked reassessment; Wood asserted he paid what was billed, seeking no favors; it remains to be seen what the voters think.

Wood, in his first term, is opposed by Kris Cloessner, who lost in a runoff four years ago. Both were senior officers in the department under retired Sheriff William Earl Hilton.

Wood is likely to hear much from Cloessner regarding the property tax matter.

Ducote seemed set to be unopposed as assessor as long as he chose to have the post until Assessmentgate. Was the mea culpa enough?

Josh Pace, who owns a building and remodeling company in Boyce, apparently thinks not.

On the legislative side, Alan Seabaugh of Shreveport faces Mike McConathy of Natchitoches in the redrawn Senate 31, a district stretching from West Rapides to the Caddo Parish city, where Seabaugh, a term-limited representative, happens to live. McConathy is retired from a long stint as NSU men’s basketball coach.

The rest of the Senate delegation got new terms.

On the House side, Jason DeWitt of Boyce and Trish Leleux of Woodworth seek the Dist. 25 post vacated by term-limited Lance Harris. Both are first-time candidates.

Meanwhile, Harris covets the open 5th District BESE seat. He’s opposed by Toby Beazzel, an Alexandria insurance agent.

House 26 has three elected officials in the field. Incumbent Ed Larvadain III faces School Board member Sandra Franklin and Alexandria City Council member Reddex Washington Jr.

Larvadain defeated Franklin in 2019, first in a special election for the remainder of an unexpired term in February, then in October for a full term. Neither Franklin nor Washington has to give up their elected posts to seek the House job.

In House 38, incumbent Rhonda Butler of Ville Platte is challenged by Todd McKellar of Glenmora.

Coroner Jonathan Hunter and Police Jurors Theodore Fountain III (Dist. D) and Sean McGlothin (Dist. G) are unopposed for new terms.