(The Center Square) – Steve Umling defeated Blanchard Mayor Jim Galambos by 32 votes Tuesday after a campaign focused on the town’s aging water system and the Amazon data center under construction on Stateline Road.

Umling received 643 votes, or 51.3%, to Galambos’ 611 votes, or 48.7%, according to unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office. All six precincts reported. Both candidates are Republicans.

Blanchard’s role in the data center project dates to December 2025, when the town council approved a water service agreement with TXLAAR LLC for the proposed campus. The agreement provided for up to 5 million gallons a day at full capacity, according to KSLA.

The agreement drew scrutiny before Amazon publicly announced its northwest Louisiana investment in February. Caddo Parish Commissioner Chris Kracman sought a one-year pause on large water withdrawals from Caddo Lake while officials studied the potential effects. His proposal failed to advance. A March 3 meeting at Blanchard Town Hall drew an overflow crowd, with residents questioning the project’s water demand and how much officials had disclosed.

In campaign interviews with KEEL, Umling, a businessman who has served on the Caddo Parish School Board, called for greater transparency and improvements to Blanchard’s water system. Galambos, a former alderman who became mayor in March 2016, defended signing a nondisclosure agreement in the process of securing the Amazon data center on Stateline Road. He said the development would bring the town needed revenue.

A third mayoral candidate, Donald Nowatzke, withdrew, according to the secretary of state’s candidate list.

Board of Aldermen

Gary Hart, Laura Neubert, Jim Roberts, Jeff Guin and John R. Fuller won the five seats on Blanchard’s Board of Aldermen.

Hart led with 764 votes, followed by Neubert with 736, Roberts with 658 and Guin with 583. Fuller secured the fifth seat with 546 votes, 62 ahead of incumbent Judy Presley, who received 484. All six candidates are Republicans.

Police chief

Blanchard Police Chief Gerald Allen won reelection with 669 votes, or 53.7%. Challenger Dave Gardner received 576 votes, or 46.3%. All six precincts reported.

Justice of the peace

Republican Bruce W. Lee defeated Libertarian Tony T. Williams for justice of the peace in Ward 3’s Blanchard district. Lee received 4,321 votes, or 67.8%, to Williams’ 2,049 votes, or 32.2%. All 14 precincts reported.

Republican Melvin “Gene” Presley was unopposed for district constable.