UPDATE: Madden blowout — Zuckerman stays — Discon, Vogeltanz go in

Voters reject ‘budget crisis’ narrative

Madden trounces Lyons 73-22%

Embattled Kreller handily ousted by challenger

Anti-Sucette Harbor mandate seen

Discon leads at-large pack, urging voters only select one

Updated 3/24/2024 with expanded coverage.

MANDEVILLE — Three of the four anti-Sucette Harbor candidates won their races in the March 23rd primary while Parks and Parkways commissioner Scott Discon joins the council after besting the pack of at-large candidates, according to unofficial returns.

Mayor Clay Madden and Councilman at Large Jason Zuckerman retained their seats, and newcomer Kevin Vogeltanz easily ousted embattled Dr. Skelly Kreller from his District II seat, an apparent anti-Sucette Harbor mandate for the three. Discon had never endorsed the project except for advocating that the property be developed in some manner. Vogeltanz led Kreller 58 to 42 percent, or 525 to 375 votes.

Madden trounced challenger Jeff Lyons 2,560 to 744 votes, or 73 to 22 percent, which indicates the budget crisis narrative pushed by Lyons supporters, including lame-duck Councilman at Large Rick Danielson, in recent months was overwhelmingly rejected by voters. Billy Rosenthal came in with only 5 percent, or 161 votes.

Discon led Zuckerman 1,949 to 1,760, while former District III Councilman Ernest Burguières fell short with 1,669 votes.

According to the unofficial totals, there were approximately 806 “undervotes” in the at-large race, meaning potentially 806 voters selected only one or no candidate rather than two. There were posts on the official “Discon Council-at-Large” Facebook account advocating voters only select one candidate instead of two. Discon’s campaign also sent out a bulk mailer advising the same.

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