PATTERSON, La. — Patterson Mayor Rodney Grogan says he plans to take Mayor-elect Slade Sanders to court, alleging Sanders did not meet the educational requirements to run for office.
Sanders, a Republican, defeated Grogan, a Democrat, with 55 percent of the vote.
In a Facebook video posted after election results were released, Grogan acknowledged Sanders as the winner but alleged the election was fraudulent. Grogan claimed Sanders did not have a high school diploma or GED when he qualified and obtained his GED only recently. Those allegations have not been independently verified.
Patterson’s city charter requires mayoral candidates to have a high school diploma or equivalent credential. The requirement was added through an ordinance in 2021.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1841570457025979
However, Louisiana law requires objections to candidacy to be filed within seven days after qualifying closes. The statute prohibits challenges based on those grounds after that deadline.
Grogan announced his intention to pursue legal action, but the information available does not establish whether a lawsuit has been filed.
