RAYNE - In a race that was decided by the slimmest of margins, Roland Boudreaux won the Rayne mayor’s election over Chuck Robichaux with 50.24 percent of the vote to Robichaux’s 49.76 percent

A mere 13 votes decided the race.

The runoff results between the two came as somewhat of a surprise after Robichaux won the Nov. 6 primary with 44.39 percent of the vote to Boudreaux’s 36.84 percent. Third place finisher Cheryl Richard finished with 18.77 percent.

Richard did not endorse anyone in the election though it is obvious that her supporters played a role in the runoff.

Roland has served on the Acadia Parish School Board for 17 years and has been a member of the Finance Committee every year he has served. In the past, he has donated his salary back to the schools and students of his district, offering scholarships to graduating seniors pursuing an education major in college, funding for athletics and other special projects for schools in they community, as well as a school bus for the Rayne High School athletic department.

Boudreaux said prior to the race that if he were elected mayor he would donate portions of his salary to the continued support of the schools and the establishment of a “Food Pantry” for the less fortunate. This pantry would provide staple foods, assistance in purchasing lifesaving medication, assistance through utility stipends and other services for our friends and neighbors in need.

Robichaux ran on Rayne’s future economic growth and felt that the city’s proximity to Interstate 10 had the potential to draw in businesses and have a strong economic impact.

The race for the Rayne mayor’s seat became necessary when Mayor James “Jimbo” Petitjean won the race for Assessor for Acadia Parish in another very close race over Mike Goss of Crowley.