Bogalusa, La. (11/11/2022) – Voters of Bogalusa, Louisiana, elected one of the youngest mayors in Louisiana’s History.
Tyrin Truong, a Democrat, defeated 2-term Mayor Wendy O’Quin-Perrette, a Republican. Mayor Perrette conceded defeat but in a disrespectful manner.
Truong won the office with 56 percent of the vote on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Mayor Perrette finished third with 19 percent of the vote. Truong said he was inspired to return to his hometown to make a difference and now has his sights set on doing just that.
At just 23 years old, Truong speaks confidently about Bogalusa’s future. “We always talk about diversity regarding race, sex & gender. Let’s talk about diversity in terms of age,” said Truong, a policy director for the Urban League of New Orleans. “We need more young people involved.”
Mayor Perrette issued the following statement regarding the outcome of the election:
“I will look back on my years of service to all the citizens of Bogalusa as among the best in my life,” said Perrette, 47, who served 3 terms on the Bogalusa City Council before being elected mayor in 2014. “We accomplished a lot and there is so much more to be done, but the people of this community have always risen to and overcome any challenge. I’m confident they will continue to do so.”
“I wish the mayor-elect well, but young Tyrin has demonstrated repeatedly during this campaign that he lacks the skills necessary to lead and unite our city,” Perrette said. “I pray I am wrong. During the transition period I will help any way that I can. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Bogalusa for the last 20 years, and I’ll continue to do what I can to make our community a better place.”
