By Tiffany Flournoy –
Editor’s Note: This article is part of an ongoing independent reporting series that started in late 2025 examining municipal operations, public accountability and transparency in the Town of Cullen. The reporting and original work in this series were independently produced.
CULLEN, La. — Cullen voters will not elect a mayor to fill the town’s vacant leadership position until 2027, while a court-appointed fiscal administrator is set to oversee the financially-distressed town’s affairs under a final order signed by a district judge.
Under a proclamation issued by Gov. Jeff Landry, a special primary election will be held Oct. 9, 2027, throughout the jurisdiction of the mayor of the Town of Cullen in Webster Parish. The election will fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. A special general election is scheduled for Nov. 20, 2027, if a runoff is necessary. Candidate qualifying will take place Aug. 3-5, 2027.
Former Mayor Terry “Bippy” Hoof resigned effective July 31, 2026. His term was scheduled to expire Dec. 31, 2028.
The mayoral vacancy has since been mentioned during Town Council meetings under “Other Business.” However, meeting records reviewed by the Webster Parish Journal do not show the council formally addressing the process for calling a special election or taking official action to initiate one.
In a separate development, 26th Judicial District Judge Michael Nerren signed a final order on Oct. 19 appointing Achilles D. Williams as fiscal administrator for the Town of Cullen.
The order stems from an Oct. 2 joint motion filed by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, on behalf of the state, and the town. The motion sought court approval to appoint Williams after the Louisiana Fiscal Review Committee determined Sept. 2 that Cullen was in a severe fiscal emergency.
Nerren’s order states that Williams is “immediately appointed” as fiscal administrator and grants him the authority, powers and duties outlined in Louisiana Revised Statutes 39:1351-1357. The judge also adopted the parties’ mutually-agreed consent judgment as the judgment of the court and designated the ruling a final order.
Under the order, Williams will oversee the town’s fiscal affairs and exercise the statutory powers and duties assigned to an independent fiscal administrator. The town is responsible for the costs of the administration.
In seeking the appointment, the state warned that Cullen’s inability to meet its financial obligations threatened town operations and the provision of basic governmental services, potentially placing public health, safety and welfare at risk.
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