St. Tammany Parish politics just took a sharp turn. Parish President Mike Cooper announced yesterday that he will not seek reelection in 2027, choosing to serve out the rest of his current term and then step away from the ballot. The longtime Covington resident said the move came after prayer and talks with his family, and he promised to keep pushing parish projects across the finish line over the next two years.
Cooper's statement and reasoning
Cooper told parish council members he had decided that this term will be his last and described public service as a calling, not a career, according to WVUE. The station reports that he pointed to record infrastructure investments, tighter building rules and updated approaches to parish drainage as key markers of his administration.
He said he intends to run through the finish line rather than step away early, and added that once he leaves office he looks forward to spending more time with his family and volunteering with local nonprofits, WVUE noted.
Cooper's record and tenure
Cooper was sworn in as parish president in January 2020 and began his second term in January 2024, according to the parish’s official biography on the St. Tammany Parish website. Under his leadership, the parish has focused on drainage, transportation and coastal planning while also responding to major storms and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The biography also notes that Cooper previously served two terms as Covington mayor and has a background in city and regional planning, experience that helped shape his priorities in parish government.
What this opens for the 2027 race
Cooper’s decision turns the 2027 parish presidential contest into an open-seat race and gives would-be contenders a long runway to organize. WDSU reports that he informed the Parish Council of his plans at a Wednesday meeting, stressing that he intends to complete his term rather than resign.
Local municipal leaders and state lawmakers will now have time to weigh whether to jump into what is likely to become a closely watched parishwide campaign.
Cooper’s full remarks, along with a brief clip of his comments, are available in the station’s post on Facebook, which includes the text of his statement to council members. Parish officials have not yet announced any potential successors or an official qualifying timeline for the 2027 election.
