District 3 candidates contrast qualities

• By STEVEN WARD
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Oct 14, 2008 - Page: 1B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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The upcoming Nov. 4 runoff in the District 3 Metro Council election between Republicans Chandler Loupe and M. Scott Wilson is largely a choice between age and experience, the candidates said.

“I’m 29. I don’t have children. I’m more flexible and can devote more time to the council,” Wilson said Monday.

Loupe, a lawyer who has three children, contrasted his greater life experience with that of his opponent.

“I don’t know if I’m the better guy but I have more life experience. I have more gray hair,” Loupe, 46, said laughing Monday.

“I have paid a mortgage for 18 years. I have paid taxes for 18 years. I know what it’s like. I have more experience dealing with tax and financial issues,” Loupe said.

Loupe led four candidates in the Oct. 4 primary with 3,154 votes or 37 percent of the vote.

Wilson came in second with 2,618 votes, or 31 percent of the vote.

The two remaining candidates, Democrats Merritt E. McDonald and Rebecca Thompson Pero, have both said they are endorsing Loupe.

FuturePAC, the political action committee of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, also has endorsed Loupe.

Whoever wins Nov. 4 will replace District 3 Councilman Pat Culbertson. Culbertson was not able to run again because of term limits.

District 3 encompasses most of the southern part of East Baton Rouge Parish. It stretches from River Road in the west to I-10 in the east. Its northern boundary is Brightside Lane, then follows Burbank Drive, before grabbing commercial areas along Bluebonnet Drive and Essen Lane. Its southern boundary is the Iberville Parish line.

Despite his two Democrat opponents endorsing Loupe, Wilson said Democrats in District 3 should consider him. Serving on the council is not about any one political party, it’s about “a better community and looking out for everyone,” he said.

Both Wilson and Loupe pointed to crime in the Gardere Lane area as a problem.