Could the parish president in Jefferson influence the sheriff's race, even without endorsing a candidate? Mike Yenni may have survived a recall effort, but allegations of a sexting relationship with a teenager may have left a permanent mark on him politically.
In recent days, sheriff candidates Joe Lopinto and John Fortunato have been asked if they thought Yenni should have resigned when the scandal broke, and if they would support a Yenni reelection bid.
"I do believe he should have resigned, and I definitely wouldn't endorse him for another term," Lopinto told WWL-TV. "I believe that he's an ineffective leader. I don't believe that Jefferson Parish deserves a parish president that has been caught in that controversy."
Fortunato sees it differently. During a debate televised Sunday night on WDSU-TV, Fortunato answered "no" when asked if he thought Yenni should have resigned, and "yes" if he would support him for reelection.
The format of that particular segment didn't allow time for a follow-up. Fortunato was able to discuss his answers in an interview with WWL-TV.
"As the sheriff of Jefferson Parish I understand the importance of what it is to work with all parish government officials, whether it's the parish president or the parish council," Fortunato said, "So, I don't want an adversarial relationship."
But Fortunato said that isn't the same as an endorsement:
"I do not and will not ever endorse Mike Yenni for any election in Jefferson Parish," he stated.
"Didn't you say that night that you would?" WWL-TV's Eric Paulsen asked.
"I said that I would support Yenni," was Fortunato's answer.
The answer came as a surprise to political analyst Clancy DuBos.
"I think Fortunato's admission that he supports Mike Yenni is a bombshell," said DuBos. "Frankly, up until now, I thought Fortunato was doing a better job of campaigning, but that was a colossal blunder."
Yenni, via a spokesman, told WWL First News that he is not endorsing either candidate in the sheriff's race.