Four candidates for St. Tammany Parish sheriff debated Tuesday night at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium. They were asked about leadership strategies and public trust issues following the resignation of former Sheriff Randy Smith, who stepped down this summer after pleading guilty to second-degree battery and a misdemeanor charge.
Moderated by WDSU’s Sula Kim, all four candidates, including retired State Police Colonel Robert Hodges, U.S. Marshal Scott Illing, retired St. Tammany Deputy David Maki and Slidell Police Officer Daniel Seuzeneau, attended. Early questions centered on how the candidates would restore public trust in the sheriff’s department, when its past two leaders have faced controversy and arrests. The candidates highlighted transparency, community engagement, leadership, and accountability as key priorities.
In addition to the questions posed to the entire group Tuesday, each candidate was also asked an individual question specifically written for them.
Illing was asked how voters could be confident he has a long-term plan for the department when he is currently retired.
“I did retire two years ago as the U.S. Marshal in New Orleans,” Illing said. “I’m running because I think we have a problem to fix in St. Tammany. So, I’m not running to continue my career. I’m here to take my knowledge, my wisdom, my experience, relevant experience, and apply it back and sheriff’s office to fix some of the problems that I think we have.”
David Maki responded to a question about whether last year’s arrest of Cody Beaudette, a Slidell man accused of hitting and killing a 6-year-old boy with his car, influenced his decision to retire. All charges against Beaudette were eventually dropped.
“No, it’s not the reason I retired. has nothing to do with why I retired. What role I played in that? I was the shift lieutenant at the night of that incident,” Maki said. “Does the Sheriff’s office do everything right? No. Are we perfect in everything that we do? No. Where I think mistakes were made is they didn’t come out to the public and speak openly to the public.”
This race has caught the eye of Gov. Jeff Landry, who has shown support for Hodges. The candidate was asked why he believes the governor’s support is appropriate.
“When you’re interviewing for a job as an executive, the hiring team is going to ask your prior supervisor. My supervisor was Governor Jeff Landry as a cabinet appointment in colonel superintendent, state police. So, I’m very proud of his endorsement, more importantly, the positive things he said about me, because I’m certain if he didn’t endorse me and said negative things, I wouldn’t be sitting at this table,” Hodges said.
Hodges told the crowd gathered at the debate that Landry did not have any involvement in establishing the PAC fund supporting his campaign.
Seuzeneau was asked about his decision to follow the former sheriff to the St. Tammany department.
“I was a public information officer, and I was given the opportunity to lead public affairs for the largest law enforcement agency in this parish. So I took the opportunity to do so. But I returned back to the police department less than a year later,” Seuzeneau said. “My track record speaks for itself and has nothing to do with the former sheriff … I’m my own person.”
All four candidates expressed support for auditing the sheriff’s department and creating a citizen advisory committee to improve transparency and accountability.
Voters in St. Tammany Parish will decide their next sheriff on Election Day in November.
READ MORE:St. Tammany Parish sheriff candidates debate their track records, restoring public trust
