State Rep. Sam Jones (D-Franklin) enters his second term in the legislature unopposed at the close of qualifying Thursday.

“I am deeply honored by the decision of the people of the 50th District of the Louisiana House of Representatives to re-elect me without opposition for the next four years,” Jones said in a statement this morning. “Over the past four years we have been able to bring more than $150 million in infrastructure funding back to the district for new overpasses, road reconstruction, port development, drainage and flood protection as well as Atchafalaya Basin development and boating facilities. Many of these projects address problems that have been neglected for as long as 40 years.”

The former 22-year mayor of Franklin said he was also “honored to receive the endorsement of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association for this election cycle.

“As we go forward I will continue to support and protect the education system while we work to get it to the number one priority of state government while continuing our efforts to make our area a great place to live and work,” Jones concluded.

The District 21 seat being left by retiring Sen. Butch Gautreaux will be contested between St. Mary Parish and Terrebonne Parish candidates.

Bret Allain of Adeline, and Darrin Guidry of Houma, both Republicans, are both running for Gautreaux’s seat.

Meanwhile, incumbent Rep. Joe Harrison (R-Napoleonville) faces two contenders for his 51st district seat.

Challengers are Howard Castay Jr. of Morgan City, no party affiliation, and Warren Triche Jr., a Democrat from Thibodaux.

And three candidates are vying for the St. Mary Parish sheriff’s job after the retirement of 16-year office holder David Naquin in July.

Mark Hebert, of Franklin, former chief deputy and interim sheriff, will run the ballot with Patrick LaSalle, police chief of Patterson, George Rodriguez, a Franklin businessman, and Jack D. Smith, a Patterson businessman.

St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court Cliff Dressel, Assessor Jarrod Longman. And Coroner: Francis “Chip” Metz Jr. are all unopposed.

St. Mary Parish President: incumbent Paul Naquin and Gary Duhon, current parish councilman for District 11, face off for the presidency in the October election.

Parish Council District 2 incumbent Charles “Butch” Middleton is unopposed, as are District 4 incumbent Glen Hidalgo and District 5 incumbent Ken Singleton.

Parish races with more than one candidate are:

—Parish Council District 1: incumbent Craig Mathews, Herbert “H.B.” Bell and Lionel “Butch” Metz.

—Parish Council District 3: incumbent David Hanagriff and Peter Soprano.

—Parish Council District 6: incumbent Logan Fromenthal and Renesse A. Landry.

—Parish Council District 7: Rogers Liner and Tim Tregle.

—Parish Council District 8: Norris Crappell and Sterling Freyou.

—Parish Council District 9: incumbent Albert Foulcard and Rodney Olander.

—Parish Council District 10: incumbent Steve Bierhorst and Darian “Coach” Breaux.

—Parish Council District 11: Kevin Voisin and Greg Green.

Local candidates for justice of the peace Ward 4 are Eric J. Gaudet Jr., William W. Lanclos Jr. and Louella Mandubourq Roberson.

For constable/justice of the peace Ward 5 are candidates James P. Carinhas, Shawn Canty and David W. Hill.

Statewide elections on local ballots include:

—Governor: David Blanchard, I-Brusly; Leonard “Lenny” Bollingham, I-Baton Rouge; “Ron” Ceasar, I-Opelousas; Cary J. Deaton, D-Metairie; Tara Hollis, D-Haynesville; “Bobby” Jindal (incumbent), R-Baton Rouge; William Robert “Bob” Lang, I-Natchitoches; Scott Lewis, Libertarian-Baton Rouge; “Niki Bird” Papazoglakis, D-Baton Rouge; and Ivo “Trey” Roberts, D-Gretna.

—Lieutenant governor: “Jay” Dardenne (incumbent), R-Baton Rouge; and Billy Nungesser, R-Port Sulphur.

—Secretary of state: “Tom” Schedler (incumbent), R-Mandeville; and “Jim” Tucker, R-Terrytown.

—Attorney general: James D. “Buddy” Caldwell (incumbent), R-Tallulah; and “Joseph” Cao, R-New Orleans.

—Treasurer: John Kennedy (incumbent), R-Madisonville.

—Agriculture and forestry commissioner: Belinda “B” Alexandrenko, Reform-Pineville; Jamie LaBranche, D-LaPlace; and Michael G. “Mike” Strain (incumbent), R-Covington.

—Insurance commissioner: “Jim” Donelon (incumbent), R-Metairie; and Donald C. Hodge, D-Baton Rouge.

—BESE, District 3: Lottie Polozola Beebe, R-Breaux Bridge; and Glenny Lee Buquet (incumbent), D-Houma.

The election is on Oct. 22 with early voting on Oct. 8-15.