Petition Filed To Recall St. Tammany Parish Councilwoman

A formal effort is underway to recall St. Tammany Parish Councilwoman Martha Cazaubon following growing controversy over development in the Goodbee area.

The St. Tammany Parish Registrar of Voters has received notification that a recall petition targeting Cazaubon, who represents District 3, has officially been filed.

Goodbee resident Donna Clemons filed the petition, citing what she describes as Cazaubon’s failure to represent the interests of her constituents and disagreements over policy.

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At the center of the controversy are the proposed Isadora and Esperanza developments near Highway 1077 and Ronald Reagan Highway. Together, the projects could have brought approximately 800 new homes to the area.

Dozens of residents spoke against the rezoning, raising concerns about traffic, drainage, infrastructure and the loss of the area’s rural character.

Despite the opposition, Cazaubon was among eight Parish Council members who voted in favor of the rezoning earlier this month.

Parish President Mike Cooper later vetoed the Council’s decision, stopping the rezoning from moving forward.

Cazaubon has previously defended her position, saying she initially opposed the projects but ultimately believed the developers returned with plans that went beyond the requirements imposed by the parish.

For some residents, however, the vote became the final straw.

The recall effort has reportedly gathered nearly 500 signatures so far, but organizers have a much larger hurdle ahead. Approximately 4,500 valid signatures from qualified District 3 voters are needed to move the recall forward.

Organizers have until January to collect the required signatures.

If enough valid signatures are collected and certified, Louisiana law requires the governor to call a recall election. District 3 voters would then ultimately decide whether Cazaubon remains in office.

The filing of the petition itself does not remove Cazaubon from the Parish Council.

The recall effort now moves into the signature gathering stage.