Father, son qualify for Bossier school board seat — but incumbent will withdraw

Two Bockhauses of Haughton — father and son — have qualified to run for the same Bossier Parish School Board seat, but only because one of them plans to withdraw, the candidates said by phone on Friday.

Both Brad Bockhaus and his father, Kent Bockhaus, qualified to run for the District 2 Bossier Parish School Board seat, which has been held by Brad since 2008. Brad Bockhaus qualified to run on Wednesday, and Kent Bockhaus qualified to run on Friday.

“Some things have come up, and technically (Brad) is withdrawing,” Kent Bockhaus said Friday afternoon.

With no other candidates qualifying to run for the seat on Nov. 6, Kent Bockhaus will be uncontested when his son does withdraw.

Kent Bockhaus said he worked as a school resource officer at Haughton High School for 18 years and feels comfortable committing to the role of school board member.

“I am pretty familiar, and I know most everybody on the board,” Kent Bockhaus said. “It’s not new to me.”

Brad Bockhaus first began serving on the school board in 2008 to complete an unfinished term. He was re-elected unopposed in 2010 and 2014. 

He confirmed that he plans to withdraw from the race and has to file paperwork with the Louisiana Secretary of State to do so.

He declined to say why he has decided to withdraw, but said he believes that his father will do a great job in the position.

“I learned a lot from him,” Brad Bockhaus said. “He’s taught me a lot just about work ethic and politics itself.”