Four candidates seeking to become St. Tammany Parish sheriff discussed department leadership, jail operations and restoring public confidence ahead of the November 3 election.
MANDEVILLE, La. — The four candidates competing to become St. Tammany Parish’s next sheriff gathered Wednesday, October 7, for a public forum focused on the future of the Sheriff’s Office and the leadership changes each would bring to the department.
Robert Hodges, Scott Illing, David Maki and Daniel Seuzeneau participated in the event at The Greystone in Mandeville. The forum was organized by the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the East St. Tammany Business Alliance, Northshore Home Builders Association and NAMI Southeast Louisiana.
The discussion came less than a month before the November 3 special election, which will determine who replaces former Sheriff Randy Smith following his resignation earlier this year.
Leadership and Public Trust Take Center Stage
All four candidates emphasized the importance of improving leadership and accountability within the Sheriff’s Office, although they offered different perspectives on how much organizational change would be necessary.
Hodges, a retired Louisiana State Police colonel and former superintendent, emphasized his experience managing a large law enforcement agency. He pointed to his previous work overseeing Louisiana State Police operations and said deputies need leadership built around accountability and professionalism.
Illing, a former U.S. marshal with experience in federal and local law enforcement, indicated that he would evaluate the Sheriff’s Office’s existing leadership structure before deciding whether command-level personnel changes were needed.
Maki, a former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office lieutenant, focused on employee morale and management practices. He argued that leadership should motivate deputies rather than rely on intimidation and said the department’s existing workforce provides a foundation for improvement.
Seuzeneau, a longtime Slidell law enforcement official who previously served as interim police chief, emphasized consistent leadership and accountability to residents. He drew on his experience in police administration and public communication while discussing his approach to the office.
Jail Conditions and Department Operations Discussed
The candidates also addressed conditions at the parish jail, including concerns affecting both correctional employees and inmates.
The sheriff oversees jail operations in addition to law enforcement services, courthouse security and other responsibilities throughout St. Tammany Parish.
During the forum, the candidates identified jail conditions as an issue requiring attention from the next administration. Their responses also reflected a shared interest in supporting deputies and improving the department’s internal operations.
The candidates did not call for replacing the Sheriff’s Office’s existing uniforms or department logos, according to WVUE-TV’s coverage of the event.
Election Follows Former Sheriff’s Resignation
The race follows the departure of former Sheriff Randy Smith, who resigned in June 2026 after pleading guilty to charges stemming from an altercation at a Madisonville restaurant.
Smith’s resignation created a vacancy in one of St. Tammany Parish’s most prominent elected offices and led to the November special election.
The four candidates have each presented their law enforcement experience as preparation for managing the agency.
Hodges previously led Louisiana State Police. Illing served as U.S. marshal for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Maki spent approximately two decades with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, while Seuzeneau has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience associated primarily with the Slidell Police Department.
The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of Smith’s term, which concludes in January 2028. Another election for a full term is scheduled for 2027.
Why This Matters in Slidell
For Slidell residents, the sheriff’s election will affect law enforcement operations throughout eastern St. Tammany Parish, particularly in communities outside municipal police jurisdictions.
The Sheriff’s Office provides patrol and investigative services in unincorporated areas and works alongside municipal departments, including the Slidell Police Department, on public safety matters.
The next sheriff will also influence how the agency coordinates with other law enforcement organizations, manages taxpayer-supported resources and communicates with residents.
Seuzeneau’s candidacy brings a familiar name to the race for many Slidell residents because of his years with the city’s Police Department. However, all four candidates are competing for the parishwide position, which serves communities from the Slidell area to Covington, Mandeville and other parts of St. Tammany.
When St. Tammany Residents Can Vote
The sheriff’s election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
According to the Louisiana Secretary of State, early voting for the November election will run October 20 through October 27, excluding Sunday, October 25. Early voting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The deadline to register online through the state’s GeauxVote system is October 13. Voters who need an absentee ballot generally must submit their request by October 30 at 4:30 p.m., subject to applicable exceptions.
Election Day polling places will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.
If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, the race will advance to a December 12 runoff election.
Residents can review election information, registration details and voting locations through the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website.
Sources
- St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce — October 7 Sheriff Candidates Forum, Event Details and Participating Candidates
- WVUE FOX 8 — October 7, 2026, Coverage of the Sheriff Candidates Forum
- WDSU — Candidate Backgrounds and St. Tammany Sheriff’s Special Election
- WDSU — Four Candidates Qualify Following Sheriff’s Resignation
- Louisiana Secretary of State — 2026 Election Dates, Voting Deadlines and Election Day Hours
- Louisiana Secretary of State — Early Voting Information
Vic Sage is an investigative journalist from Slidell, Louisiana, known for reporting on local government, public records, corruption, and the everyday issues affecting St. Tammany Parish residents. His work focuses on clear, fact-based storytelling that holds officials accountable and gives local readers a deeper look at the decisions shaping their community.
