Local Republicans Celebrate
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
St. Landry Parish Republicans celebrated with a touch of vibrancy Thursday as party members introduced a new parish chairman and a lifelong Democrat who announced that he is switching his political allegiance.
Craig Shilow, a Eunice resident and Republican Party member since 1980, was introduced as the newly-elected St. Landry chairman, while Jan Deville, who ran for parish Clerk of Court several years ago, officially changed his party affiliation during the event staged on the front steps of the parish Courthouse in Opelousas.
Shilow, an Air Force veteran, described himself as a proud Southerner, who embraces a party that he said has “always helped me and women who are struggling for freedom.”
Since Reconstruction the Republican Party both nationwide and in Louisiana, has played an influential role in government, Shilow said.
Following the Civil War,Louisiana elected Blacks, said Shilow, as members of Congress and lieutenant governors.
Longtime Republican Party member and former state senator Elbert Guillory recalled how former Opelousas City Attorney Richard Milspaugh had to become a Republican Party member in order to become the first Black to vote in St. Landry.
Deville dramatically signed his new voting registration card during the event.
Formerly a third generation Democrat, Deville said he feels the modern Democratic Party has ceased to resemble “all the things that I have stood for and fought for all my life.”
The Republican Party, Deville said, is also becoming more active in St. Landry.
“I’m not doing this (changing parties) to offend anyone. I just think that right now, being a Republican is better,” Deville note.
Louisiana Republican Party chairman Derek Babcock pointed out that Louisiana Republicans are playing an important part in national politics.
Republican Mike Johnson, who represents the Fourth Congressional District, was reelected Speaker of the House, while Steve Scalise from the New Orleans area, is the House Majority Leader and Scalise continues to wield importance in Congress.
Babcock said the Republican Party has been significantly gaining new party members during the past few years
