VIDALIA — Concordia Parish Sheriff Kenneth Hedrick said he wants voters to support law enforcement when heading to the polls on Dec. 10.

Hedrick said voters would be faced with a tax renewal proposition amongst a state-wide race for U.S. Senate and two local contests for Vidalia City Marshal and District 1 Justice of the Peace.

“I want to emphasize that this levy of 12 mills is a renewal of our existing tax for operations,” Hedrick said. “This is not a new tax.”

Hedrick said the millage — which generates approximately $1.6 million — is critical to the operation of the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office. The tax covers the majority of the sheriff’s office tax and civil operations, Hedrick said.

“This millage has been in place for over 20 years and is the primary source of income for our office outside prison operations,” Hedrick said. “I encourage everyone who supports law enforcement to vote yes to support the tax for the law enforcement district.”

Early voting at the Concordia Parish Registrar of Voter’s Office will also continue from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Saturday.

Also on the ballot are three election run-offs:

4Parish-wide voters will elect a new U.S. senator, with David Vitter not seeking reelection. For the seat, State Treasurer John Kennedy, a Republican, will battle Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, a Democrat, for votes. Kennedy carried 25 percent of the vote statewide compared to Campbell’s 17 percent in the general election.4 Ferriday voters will elect a District 1 Justice of the Peace between former Ferriday Alderman Elijah “Stepper” Banks and former justice of the peace Benja Fussell. Banks received 41 percent of the vote compared to Fussell’s 39 percent in the general election.4 Vidalia voters will elect a Vidalia City Marshall. Incumbent Jim Boren, a major with the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office, will seek reelection against Vidalia Police Officer Frank Duson for the post. Duson had a slight edge of 44 percent of the vote in the Nov. 8 primary against Boren’s 41 percent.