St. Tammany Sheriff Candidates Outline Leadership Changes, Jail Priorities Ahead of November Election

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St. Tammany Parish Sheriff

Robert Hodges, Scott Illing, David Maki and Daniel Seuzeneau addressed accountability, employee morale, jail conditions and the future of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office during an October 7 forum in Mandeville.

MANDEVILLE, La. — Four candidates competing to become the next St. Tammany Parish sheriff presented their approaches to law enforcement leadership during a public forum Wednesday, October 7, 2026. The discussion focused on department accountability, employee morale, jail conditions and the management decisions awaiting the next sheriff following former Sheriff Randy Smith’s resignation.

Robert Hodges, Scott Illing, David Maki and Daniel Seuzeneau participated in the candidates forum at The Greystone, located at 935 Clausel Street in Mandeville. Their appearances provided St. Tammany Parish voters with an opportunity to compare professional backgrounds and proposed leadership approaches before the November 3 special election.

The St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce organized the event in partnership with the East St. Tammany Business Alliance, Northshore Home Builders Association and NAMI Southeast Louisiana. The luncheon brought attention to the Sheriff’s Office’s responsibilities, including law enforcement operations, correctional facilities, employee supervision and relationships with communities throughout the parish.

The upcoming election will determine who assumes control of the Sheriff’s Office during a significant leadership transition. The winning candidate will inherit an established department with responsibilities extending across unincorporated neighborhoods, parish correctional operations and law enforcement partnerships involving municipal, state and federal agencies.

Four Candidates Present Their Plans for Sheriff’s Office Leadership

Department management emerged as a major theme during the forum, with each candidate emphasizing the need for responsible supervision and greater public confidence. Their approaches differed in how they would evaluate command personnel, improve working relationships and determine which changes should receive attention after the election.

The discussion also highlighted the distinction between replacing individual leaders and restructuring the entire organization. The candidates generally focused on management practices and employee support rather than replacing the department’s existing workforce, according to coverage of the forum.

The next sheriff will oversee deputies, investigators, correctional officers and civilian employees who perform essential duties throughout St. Tammany Parish. Decisions involving leadership appointments, personnel expectations, training and operational oversight will influence how the agency functions after the transition.

Robert Hodges Emphasizes Louisiana State Police Experience and Accountability

Robert Hodges, a retired Louisiana State Police colonel and former superintendent, emphasized his experience overseeing a statewide law enforcement organization. His career included management responsibilities involving personnel, public safety operations and coordination among different law enforcement divisions.

Hodges maintained that the Sheriff’s Office already employs experienced deputies who understand their responsibilities and serve residents throughout the parish. He identified reliable leadership, enforceable professional standards and accountability as priorities for strengthening the agency’s operations and public reputation.

Hodges also discussed his involvement with Louisiana State Police Troop NOLA, which was established to support law enforcement efforts in the New Orleans area. He pointed to that assignment while describing his experience coordinating personnel and responding to public safety concerns across multiple jurisdictions.

His remarks placed considerable emphasis on expectations established by senior management. Hodges presented departmental accountability as a responsibility that begins with leadership and extends throughout the organization, including decisions involving employee conduct and operational performance.

Scott Illing Supports Evaluating Command Staff Before Making Changes

Scott Illing, a former U.S. marshal with experience in federal and municipal law enforcement, described a measured approach to reviewing existing Sheriff’s Office management. His career began with the Covington Police Department and later included federal investigations, task force assignments and responsibilities involving cooperation among law enforcement agencies.

Illing indicated that he would examine the department’s current leadership structure before deciding whether personnel changes were necessary. He did not support automatically replacing command-level employees immediately upon taking office, instead favoring an assessment of existing operations and management practices.

Illing also suggested that improvements should concentrate on leadership positions rather than unnecessarily disrupting an agency that already performs numerous public safety functions. His comments reflected an interest in identifying administrative problems while retaining employees who contribute to the department’s operations.

The proposed review could involve examining how supervisors communicate expectations, how responsibilities are assigned and whether existing command arrangements adequately support deputies. Those are potential management considerations rather than a detailed restructuring plan established during the forum.

David Maki Calls for Better Deputy Morale and Management Practices

David Maki, a former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office lieutenant, focused on his experience working within the department and supervising law enforcement personnel. His background includes patrol operations and direct familiarity with the internal procedures governing deputies who respond to calls and conduct investigations.

Maki criticized what he characterized as an intimidation-based management culture under the previous administration. He argued that employees should receive constructive supervision and encouragement instead of working under leadership practices that discourage communication or create unnecessary tension.

Maki emphasized that the Sheriff’s Office does not need a complete organizational overhaul to improve its performance. His approach centers on changes in supervision and management while preserving the knowledge of deputies who already understand the parish’s neighborhoods, enforcement responsibilities and departmental procedures.

Employee morale was a recurring part of Maki’s message. His comments placed attention on the relationship between supervisors and frontline personnel, an issue that can influence employee retention, workplace communication and the department’s ability to maintain consistent staffing.

Daniel Seuzeneau Highlights Slidell Police Leadership and Community Accountability

Daniel Seuzeneau, a longtime Slidell law enforcement official and former acting police chief, emphasized the importance of public service, accessible leadership and accountability to parish residents. His law enforcement career has included patrol duties, criminal investigations, SWAT hostage negotiations and administrative responsibilities with the Slidell Police Department.

Seuzeneau also pointed to his Master of Business Administration degree while discussing his qualifications for managing the Sheriff’s Office. His professional background combines police operations with administrative experience involving personnel management, departmental resources and organizational responsibilities.

Seuzeneau described dependable leadership as a priority for employees and the public. His comments emphasized that the sheriff’s primary responsibility is serving residents and maintaining confidence in the department rather than concentrating authority around the elected official.

His experience in Slidell provides eastern St. Tammany residents with a familiar connection to the race. Seuzeneau’s previous responsibilities involved communicating with the public and overseeing police operations, although the sheriff’s position would expand his administrative responsibilities to a parishwide agency.

Jail Conditions and Correctional Operations Draw Attention

Conditions at the St. Tammany Parish jail became another important subject during the candidates forum. All four candidates identified improvements involving correctional employees and people held in custody as priorities deserving attention from the incoming administration.

The Sheriff’s Office operates the parish jail and oversees correctional personnel responsible for maintaining security, supervising detainees and coordinating essential detention services. Jail administration also requires decisions involving facility upkeep, staff training, transportation, booking procedures and access to appropriate inmate services.

Correctional employees work in an environment with operational demands that differ from routine patrol assignments. Staffing levels, security procedures, building conditions and communication between supervisors and employees can influence both workplace safety and the management of individuals housed at the facility.

The candidates expressed interest in addressing jail-related concerns, but reporting from the October 7 forum did not establish comprehensive cost estimates or detailed implementation schedules for each proposal. Voters seeking additional information may want to examine how candidates would fund improvements, establish priorities and measure progress after taking office.

Jail administration represents a substantial part of the sheriff’s responsibilities because correctional operations must continue regardless of changes in elected leadership. The next administration will need to balance facility requirements, employee needs, public safety obligations and available financial resources.

Public Trust Remains an Issue Following Former Sheriff Randy Smith’s Resignation

The candidates forum took place several months after former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith resigned on June 24, 2026. Smith’s departure followed his guilty pleas to felony second-degree battery and misdemeanor disturbing the peace by public intoxication in connection with a May 29 incident at a restaurant in Madisonville.

The 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Smith pleaded guilty to both charges. Prosecutors reported that the incident involved a physical confrontation in which the victim suffered injuries, including a concussion and dental damage. The criminal proceedings and Smith’s departure created an unexpected transition in parish law enforcement leadership.

Bret Ibert, a longtime Sheriff’s Office employee, became interim sheriff following Smith’s resignation. Ibert assumed responsibility for maintaining department operations while parish officials prepared for the November special election.

The next elected sheriff will face decisions involving public communication, internal accountability and the department’s relationship with residents. Those responsibilities include responding to complaints, enforcing personnel standards and maintaining confidence that departmental policies apply consistently across the organization.

The October 7 discussion also addressed the department’s public image. WVUE-TV reported that none of the four candidates expressed support for changing the Sheriff’s Office’s existing uniforms or logos, indicating that the forum’s discussion of organizational improvements centered primarily on leadership and management rather than department branding.

Why This Matters in St. Tammany Parish

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office provides extensive public safety services throughout the parish, including patrol coverage, criminal investigations, correctional operations and courthouse security. The department also performs administrative and legal duties that support the local justice system, making the sheriff responsible for substantially more than routine law enforcement patrols.

Residents of unincorporated communities depend on the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement response, neighborhood patrols and investigative services. Those communities include areas outside the municipal boundaries of Slidell, Covington, Mandeville and other incorporated locations. The incoming sheriff’s staffing and deployment decisions will affect how the agency distributes resources across geographically distinct parts of the parish.

Municipal police departments provide primary law enforcement services within their respective jurisdictions, while the Sheriff’s Office maintains broader parish responsibilities. Cooperation between those agencies becomes especially relevant during major investigations, emergency responses, searches for suspects and incidents requiring specialized equipment or additional officers.

The next administration will also influence how the Sheriff’s Office coordinates with Louisiana State Police and federal law enforcement partners. Established relationships can support investigations involving multiple jurisdictions, information sharing and specialized operations that extend beyond the resources of an individual municipal department.

Employee leadership presents another important consideration for parish residents. Deputies, dispatchers, investigators, correctional officers and administrative personnel depend on appropriate supervision, training and clearly communicated policies to carry out their responsibilities. Changes in senior management may affect how those employees receive support and how departmental expectations are enforced.

The four candidates bring different professional backgrounds to those challenges. Robert Hodges has experience overseeing Louisiana State Police, Scott Illing has worked in federal and local law enforcement, David Maki previously served within the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Daniel Seuzeneau has spent much of his career with the Slidell Police Department. Their records provide voters with different types of administrative and operational experience to evaluate.

Financial oversight is another significant responsibility because the sheriff manages publicly funded operations that require personnel expenditures, equipment, vehicles, technology and facility maintenance. Budget decisions influence the resources available for law enforcement services and corrections, while transparency helps residents understand how the department uses its funding.

The November election will therefore affect the department’s leadership direction, staffing priorities, correctional operations and relationships with communities throughout St. Tammany Parish. The winner will assume responsibility for these functions during the remainder of the current term, making the special election an important decision for parish voters.

St. Tammany Sheriff Election Scheduled for November 3, 2026

St. Tammany Parish voters will choose among Robert Hodges, Scott Illing, David Maki and Daniel Seuzeneau on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The winner will complete the unexpired sheriff’s term, which ends in January 2028. The office will return to the ballot in fall 2027 for a full term beginning the following year.

Louisiana’s open primary election system requires a candidate to receive more than 50 percent of the votes cast in the race to win outright. If no candidate receives a majority on November 3, the two candidates with the highest vote totals will advance to a December 12 runoff election.

The sheriff’s race will appear alongside other contests and proposed constitutional amendments on the November ballot. Residents can check their individual ballot through the Louisiana Secretary of State’s GeauxVote system, which provides information based on voter registration and assigned precinct.

Important Election Dates for St. Tammany Parish Voters

Louisiana election officials have published the registration deadlines, early voting schedule and absentee ballot requirements for the November 3 election. Voters should review the following dates before deciding when and where to cast their ballots.

  1. October 5, 2026 — In-Person and Mail Registration Deadline: This was the final day to register through standard in-person or mailed applications for the November election. Eligible residents who missed that deadline may still qualify to register online before the separate electronic registration deadline.
  2. October 13, 2026 — Online Voter Registration Deadline: Eligible Louisiana residents can register online through the GeauxVote Online Registration System until October 13. Applicants using the system should verify that their registration information is accurate and complete.
  3. October 20–27, 2026 — Early Voting: Early voting will take place from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. on designated voting days. Locations will be closed Sunday, October 25. Registered voters can use an authorized early voting location in their parish instead of waiting until Election Day.
  4. October 30, 2026 — Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: The general deadline to request an absentee ballot is 4:30 p.m. Voters must meet Louisiana’s eligibility requirements for absentee voting, and different deadlines or provisions may apply to military and overseas voters.
  5. November 2, 2026 — Absentee Ballot Return Deadline: The Registrar of Voters generally must receive completed absentee ballots by 4:30 p.m. Military and overseas voters are subject to separate rules. Mailing a ballot by the deadline does not necessarily satisfy the requirement that election officials receive it on time.
  6. November 3, 2026 — Election Day: Polling locations will operate from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. Voters should confirm their assigned precinct before traveling because Election Day locations are based on their registered residential address.
  7. December 12, 2026 — Possible Runoff Election: A runoff will be held if no sheriff candidate receives a majority in November. The election would allow voters to choose between the two candidates who received the most votes in the initial contest.

Where to Vote Early in St. Tammany Parish

St. Tammany Parish election officials have identified three early voting locations for residents planning to vote before November 3. The locations provide access for voters living in the eastern, central and western portions of the parish.

  1. Slidell Early Voting Location: The Towers Building, 520 Old Spanish Trail, Slidell, LA 70458. Early voting will take place in the first-floor conference and training area. Residents needing assistance with registration matters can contact the Slidell Registrar of Voters office at 985-646-4125.
  2. Covington Early Voting Location: St. Tammany Justice Center Parking Garage, 601 N. Jefferson Avenue, Covington, LA 70433. The voting area is located across from the Justice Center in downtown Covington. The Registrar of Voters can be reached at 985-809-5500.
  3. Mandeville Early Voting Location: St. Tammany Parish Administrative Complex, 21490 Koop Drive, Mandeville, LA 70471. Voting will take place in the Council Chambers, located in the first building on the left upon entering the complex.

Early voting hours are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., including Saturday voting during the designated period. Election officials will not conduct early voting on Sunday, October 25.

Louisiana voters should bring an accepted form of identification when visiting an early voting site or Election Day polling place. Accepted identification includes a Louisiana driver’s license, Louisiana special identification card, qualifying military identification or another generally recognized photo identification document meeting state requirements. Voters without an accepted photo ID may be eligible to vote by signing a voter identification affidavit.

Check Your Polling Location Before Election Day

St. Tammany Parish election officials have announced several precinct location changes for 2026, including adjustments affecting Slidell-area voters. Residents who previously voted at a familiar school, church or government building should not assume their polling place remains unchanged.

Precinct 814, for example, was moved from The Towers Building to St. Tammany Junior High School at 701 Cleveland Avenue in Slidell. Precinct 818 was reassigned to Northshore High School at 100 Panther Drive. Other precincts have also undergone location changes, making advance verification especially helpful.

The Louisiana Secretary of State’s GeauxVote portal allows voters to check their registration status, review available sample ballot information and locate their assigned Election Day precinct. The online resource is available at voterportal.sos.la.gov.

Residents with election questions can also contact the St. Tammany Parish Registrar of Voters or visit www.stprov.org for local information. Checking registration details and polling locations before November 3 can help prevent confusion and unnecessary travel on Election Day.

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