The short version
- Christopher Paul faces pending child rape charges from two decades ago but remains eligible for election under current Louisiana law.
- The only other candidate withdrew due to federal employment conflicts, leaving Paul to run unopposed in the November vote.
- Village leaders have scheduled a special election to determine whether future police chiefs should be appointed rather than elected.
A small community in southwestern Louisiana is preparing to elect its next police chief despite serious criminal allegations against the sole remaining candidate. Christopher Paul, a Republican, is on track to win the position in Elizabeth by default after his only opponent withdrew from the race. The situation has forced local residents and officials to confront the limitations of their current electoral laws while weighing the implications of placing an accused individual in charge of public safety.
Paul signed up to run for the chief of police role in August. His candidacy proceeded without immediate legal impediment until September, when he was arrested by the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office. Authorities allege that Paul raped two girls in 2005 and 2006. He has been released on $60,000 bail while his case moves through the judicial system. The timing of these events has created a complex scenario where a candidate can remain on the ballot despite facing felony charges.
The race became uncontested after Zachary LaCaze announced his withdrawal in late September. LaCaze discovered that his full-time employment with the federal government made his candidacy illicit under state regulations. He cited the need to provide for his family as the primary reason for stepping aside, noting that he could not risk losing his job. His departure occurred well after the deadline for new candidates to register, effectively securing Paul’s victory in the November 3 election.
Under Louisiana law, a candidate is not disqualified from holding office simply because they have been charged with a crime. Only a felony conviction would render Paul ineligible to assume the duties of police chief when his term begins on January 1. With that date approaching, there is significant uncertainty regarding whether the legal proceedings against him will conclude before he takes office. The presumption of innocence remains a central tenet of the justice system, even as the community grapples with the reality of the accusations.
Mandy Leo Green, the mayor of Elizabeth, emphasized that neither her office nor the village governing council has the authority to alter the ballot for the upcoming election. She stated that charges are merely allegations and not convictions. Green pointed out that anyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This legal framework leaves little room for local officials to intervene directly in the selection process, regardless of their personal concerns about the candidate’s suitability.
Advocacy groups have expressed strong opposition to Paul’s continued candidacy. The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, a national nonprofit focused on preventing violence against children, called on Paul to step aside from the race while his case is pending. Their intervention highlights the tension between legal technicalities and community safety concerns. Despite these calls for withdrawal, Paul has declined to comment on his campaign or the allegations against him.
In response to the controversy, Elizabeth’s governing council has taken steps to prevent a similar situation in the future. They approved a special election scheduled for December 12, which will allow voters to decide whether the police chief position should become an appointed role subject to board approval. This measure aims to shift the selection process away from the ballot box, potentially allowing for more direct oversight of qualifications and conduct.
It remains unclear how quickly this structural change could be implemented if voters approve it. The council minutes do not specify whether the new appointment system would take effect immediately or only after the current term ends. Additionally, Louisiana law provides a mechanism for recalling elected officials, though this requires 40% of qualified voters to sign a petition by hand. Given the small size of Elizabeth, gathering such support could be challenging, leaving the community with limited options for immediate recourse.
The case underscores broader questions about how local governments handle candidates with pending serious charges. While legal standards protect the rights of the accused, they may not always align with public expectations for accountability in leadership roles. As the November election approaches, Elizabeth residents must navigate these competing priorities without clear guidance from higher authorities. The outcome will likely influence how other small jurisdictions address similar dilemmas in the future.
With no other candidates on the ballot and legal barriers preventing disqualification, Paul appears poised to assume command of the police department. The transition period between his election and the start of his term will be critical in determining whether any legal developments alter his eligibility. Meanwhile, the special election in December offers a potential path toward reforming how law enforcement leadership is selected in the village.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US Politics↗Man accused of child rape set to become police chief in small Louisiana town
