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→Lastrapes and Bowen
==Lastrapes and Bowen==
==Lastrapes and Bowen==
Lastrapes was reelected to a second six-year term on the school board in 1978, but he left after two years to become mayor. In 1979, he ran for aseat in the state Senate in the nonpartisan blanket primary. Though he polled more than 10,000 votes, he finished third, and the seat was won in the [[general election]] by the pro-life [[Allen Bares]], who defeated fellow Democrat Pat Juneau, 54-46 percent.<ref>[[Ron Gomez]], ''My Name Is Ron And I'm a Recovering Legislator: Memoirs of a Louisiana State Representative'' ([[Lafayette]], [[Louisiana]]: Zemog Publishing, 2000, ISBN 0-9700156-0-7), p. 37.</ref>
Lastrapes was reelected to a second six-year term on the school board in 1978, but he left after two years to become mayor. In 1979, he ran for aseat in the state Senate in the nonpartisan blanket primary. Though he polled more than 10,000 votes, he finished third, and the seat was won in the [[general election]] by the pro-life [[Allen Bares]], who defeated fellow Democrat Pat Juneau, 54-46 percent.<ref>[[Ron Gomez]], ''My Name Is Ron And I'm a Recovering Legislator: Memoirs of a Louisiana State Representative'' ([[Lafayette]], [[Louisiana]]: Zemog Publishing, 2000, ISBN 0-9700156-0-7), p. 37.</ref>
Lastrapes then filed to run for mayor. He unseated the [[incumbent]] [[Kenny Bowen|Kenneth F. "Kenny" Bowen]] in the [[primary]] held in April 1980. Lastrapes polled 10,609 votes (50.3 percent) to take the mayoralty outright without the need for a [[general election]] under the unique Louisiana primary system that began operating in 1975. Bowen trailed with 5,649 votes (26.8 percent), while another Democrat, George Landry, finished with 4,839 votes (22.9 percent).<ref>''Baton Rouge State-Times,'' April 19, 1980, 17B.</ref>
Lastrapes then filed to run for mayor. He unseated the [[incumbent]] [[Kenny Bowen|Kenneth F. "Kenny" Bowen]] in the [[primary]] held in April 1980. Lastrapes polled 10,609 votes (50.3 percent) to take the mayoralty outright without the need for a [[general election]] under the unique Louisiana primary system that began operating in 1975. Bowen trailed with 5,649 votes (26.8 percent), while another Democrat, George Landry, finished with 4,839 votes (22.9 percent).<ref>''Baton Rouge State-Times,'' April 19, 1980, 17B.</ref>
Ironically, Bowen had been the unsuccessful Republican mayoral nominee in 1968. Bowen was defeated that year by 1,322 votes by the popular Democratic Mayor J. Rayburn Bertrand (1918-2005). Bowen was then elected in 1972, with 62 percent of the vote over three opponents in the then still closed Democratic primary. He was reelected in 1976. He won a third term in 1992 and succeeded Lastrapes, who did not seek reelection.
Ironically, Bowen had been the unsuccessful Republican mayoral nominee in 1968. Bowen was defeated that year by 1,322 votes by the popular Democratic Mayor J. Rayburn Bertrand (1918-2005). Bowen was then elected in 1972, with 62 percent of the vote over three opponents in the then still closed Democratic primary. He was reelected in 1976. He won a third term in 1992 and succeeded Lastrapes, who did not seek reelection.
==Mr. Republican Mayor==
==Mr. Republican Mayor==
Under the Lastrapes administration, Lafayette annexed some thirteen square miles of area. The city grew rapidly from 1980–1984, and then there was a slowdown in the important [[oil]] industry. Lafayette rebounded in the late 1980s and attracted some new industries and expansion of existing ones. On March 18, 1983, Lastrapes recommended to the Lafayette City Council the construction of a four-lane river crossing at the Camellia Boulevard on the city's south side. After years of studies, protests, and delays, construction was completed in 2003.
Under the Lastrapes administration, Lafayette annexed some thirteen square miles of area. The city grew rapidly from 1980–1984, and then there was a slowdown in the important [[oil]] industry. Lafayette rebounded in the late 1980s and attracted some new industries and expansion of existing ones. On March 18, 1983, Lastrapes recommended to the Lafayette City Council the construction of a four-lane river crossing at the Camellia Boulevard on the city's south side. After years of studies, protests, and delays, construction was completed in 2003.