The campaign to oust St. Tammany Parish Coroner Christopher Tape has hit a dead end. Family First St. Tammany, which has been pushing for the recall, confirmed they fell short of the 37,000 signatures required to move forward. According to WGNO, despite their efforts, the organizers amassed just around 26,000 signatures, leaving them approximately 9,000 shy of the target.
In the wake of this shortfall, Family First St. Tammany expressed their disappointment but remained grateful to those who supported their cause. "We want to express our deepest gratitude to the brave survivors who shared their painful stories at our events," the group said in a statement mentioned by WDSU. They also vowed to continue championing for the dignity and respect for survivors of sexual abuse.
Dr. Christopher Tape has been a controversial figure in the community due to a past sexual abuse charge that was dropped, igniting the recall pursuit. Despite the accusations, he remains in his office, as noted by WGNO, as the recall initiative faced both fervent supporters and staunch opponents. The criticisms aimed at the recall painted it as an unfair targeting of a man previously exonerated.
Residents' reactions were mixed, with some claiming political apathy or lack of knowledge about the effort. "I studied politics ironically enough, but that’s the way it goes," one resident told WGNO, exemplifying the distance some felt from the local political strife.
The case that had hung over Tape's head dates back to allegations from 2001 of sexual abuse of a minor. However, as per court records and a statement released by Tape picked up by NOLA.com, his case was dismissed on the grounds of the right to a speedy trial. While Tape has not been convicted of a sex crime, the shadow of these accusations contributed to the recall campaign's inception and the subsequent controversial climate in St. Tammany Parish.
Tape responded to the failed recall with a focus on his duties: "I'm certainly glad it's over, but I have never allowed it to be a distraction from doing the good work of this office," he said, as reported by WDSU. Looking ahead, Family First St. Tammany urges the community to remain vigilant, especially during election qualifying periods, to ensure leadership that reflects the community's values and vision.
