Quick take
- A governor’s proclamation sets a special primary for Cullen mayor on Sat., Oct. 9, 2027, with a runoff, if needed, on Nov. 20, 2027. Qualifying is Aug. 3 to 5, 2027.
- The winner will serve the rest of the term, which ends Dec. 31, 2028. Former Mayor Terry “Bippy” Hoof resigned effective July 31, 2026.
- 26th Judicial District Judge Michael Nerren signed a final order Oct. 19 appointing Achilles D. Williams as Cullen’s fiscal administrator.
- The state’s Fiscal Review Committee found on Sept. 2 that Cullen was in a severe fiscal emergency. The town pays the cost of the administrator.
Cullen voters will wait until next fall to pick a new mayor, and in the meantime a court-appointed fiscal administrator will oversee the town’s finances, the Webster Parish Journal reported Wednesday.
The election
- Special primary: Sat., Oct. 9, 2027, under a proclamation from Gov. Jeff Landry signed Sept. 15.
- Runoff, if needed: Sat., Nov. 20, 2027.
- Candidate qualifying: Aug. 3 to 5, 2027.
The winner will fill the rest of the term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2028. Former Mayor Terry “Bippy” Hoof resigned effective July 31, 2026. The Journal reported that council meeting records it reviewed don’t show the council formally acting to call an election.
Fiscal administrator
Judge Michael Nerren of the 26th Judicial District signed a final order on Oct. 19 appointing Achilles D. Williams as fiscal administrator for the town. It follows an Oct. 2 joint motion by Attorney General Liz Murrill, for the state, and the town, after the Louisiana Fiscal Review Committee found on Sept. 2 that Cullen was in a severe fiscal emergency.
Under state law, the administrator oversees the town’s money and has the powers the law gives that job. The town pays the cost. The state had warned that Cullen’s trouble paying its bills could threaten basic town services, according to the Journal.