Changes

Though it is customary in Baton Rouge to offer the council seat to the widow or widower of a deceased member, four of the five [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] members of the council voiced opposition to Denise Amoroso succeeding her husband in the position. The four favor leaving the seat empty until the special election can be held in March 2019. The council often divides, 7-5, in favor of the Republicans; a vacancy would produced 6-6 split until the seat is filled by election. Parish president Sharon Weston Broome, a Democrat, however, has endorsed Denise Amoroso as the interim successor to her husband.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_2b5cdf8e-8487-11e8-9069-377ebeb9bcdb.html|author=Andrea Gallo|title=Anger, outrage as Baton Rouge Democrats oppose Amoroso's widow -- or anyone -- taking open seat|date=July 10, 2018|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|accessdate=July 11, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_c930da0a-8561-11e8-9a90-5b10dc74d788.html|title=Political miscalculation: Why Baton Rouge Democrats' stance on Amoroso's seat backfired|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|author=Andrea Gallo|date=July 11, 2018|accessdate=July 12, 2018}}</ref>

Though it is customary in Baton Rouge to offer the council seat to the widow or widower of a deceased member, four of the five [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] members of the council voiced opposition to Denise Amoroso succeeding her husband in the position. The four favor leaving the seat empty until the special election can be held in March 2019. The council often divides, 7-5, in favor of the Republicans; a vacancy would produced 6-6 split until the seat is filled by election. Parish president Sharon Weston Broome, a Democrat, however, has endorsed Denise Amoroso as the interim successor to her husband.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_2b5cdf8e-8487-11e8-9069-377ebeb9bcdb.html|author=Andrea Gallo|title=Anger, outrage as Baton Rouge Democrats oppose Amoroso's widow -- or anyone -- taking open seat|date=July 10, 2018|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|accessdate=July 11, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_c930da0a-8561-11e8-9a90-5b10dc74d788.html|title=Political miscalculation: Why Baton Rouge Democrats' stance on Amoroso's seat backfired|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|author=Andrea Gallo|date=July 11, 2018|accessdate=July 12, 2018}}</ref>

Nevertheless, despite the emotional opposition, the Metro Council appointed Mrs. Amoroso to fill out her husband's term. Six Republican members and a Democrat, Tara Wicker, voted for the appointment. Three Democrats abstained, and a fourth Democrat, Erika Green, was absent from the proceedings. Mrs. Amoroso is an elementary teacher at Christ Presbyterian School.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_6d12305e-8b7c-11e8-9fbe-c7f8b4485889.html|title=Denis Amoroso takes late husband's Baton Rouge council amid contentious debate|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=July 19, 2018|author=Andrea Gallo|accessdate=July 20, 2018}}</ref>

Nevertheless, despite the emotional opposition, the Metro Council appointed Mrs. Amoroso to fill out her husband's term. Six Republican members and a Democrat, Tara Wicker, voted for the appointment. Three Democrats abstained, and a fourth Democrat, Erika Green, was absent from the proceedings. Mrs. Amoroso is an elementary teacher at Christ Presbyterian School.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_6d12305e-8b7c-11e8-9fbe-c7f8b4485889.html|title=Denis Amoroso takes late husband's Baton Rouge council amid contentious debate|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=July 19, 2018|author=Andrea Gallo|accessdate=July 20, 2018}}</ref> For reaching across the aisle, some blacks who want the Republican majority on the council replaced, accused Wicker of acting the role of [[Judas]], the disciple who betrayed [[Jesus Christ]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_5592890e-8c64-11e8-9d05-a7f9732c9036.html|title=As Baton Rouge city council member is likened to Judas, others say reaching across aisle is essential|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=July 20, 2018|accessdate=July 21, 2018}}</ref>

==References==

==References==