You Won't Believe What Kyle Beaulieu Did After the Election - Shocking City Council Move!

Kyle Beaulieu has officially been appointed to the Lafayette City Council, stepping into a role vacated by former Mayor JD Mangat, who resigned with two years remaining in his term. The council made their decision in a vote of 5-1 on Friday evening after interviewing four candidates and taking public comments during the meeting.

Beaulieu's journey to this council position is notable. In November, he ran for one of four at-large seats on the City Council, where he faced stiff competition from a pool of ten candidates. He finished fifth, securing approximately 11% of the vote—just shy of re-elected Councilmember Crystal Gallegos, who received 12% of the vote.

His background is distinguished, with a professional career that includes roles with federal agencies such as USAID, the U.S. Department of State, and the FBI. According to his resume, he is also a consultant in the defense, diplomacy, and intelligence sectors—experience that may inform his contributions to local governance.

The vacancy on the council arose following Mangat's resignation announced in late October, which he stated was partly motivated by a desire to spend more time with family and friends. Mangat had a notable tenure; he was initially appointed to the council in 2018, won election in 2019, and was elected mayor in 2021. His last day in office was December 2.

Beaulieu will serve out the remainder of Mangat's term, which lasts until the next regular election in 2027. The process to fill the vacant seat was competitive; the city had posted partially redacted applications from six candidates, including Beaulieu, Nicholas Bernhard, Rob Glenn, Michael Krupey, Jeff Pistana, and Michael Watson. By the time of the council's vote, Bernhard and Krupey had withdrawn their applications, leaving Beaulieu, Glenn, Pistana, and Watson as the finalists for consideration.

During the recent election, Glenn and Watson also ran for council seats, while incumbents Saul Tapia Vega and Gallegos secured re-election, and newcomers Annmarie Jensen and Adam Gianola filled the remaining spots. Watson finished sixth overall with about 8.5% of the vote, while Glenn garnered around 3.5%.

In the council meeting, public sentiment favored Beaulieu. Eight residents commented, with seven expressing support for his appointment. Lafayette resident Seth White praised Beaulieu, stating, “He is one of the strongest candidates I’ve seen in the 10 or so years I’ve been paying attention to city business.”

Gallegos was the sole councilmember to vote against Beaulieu's appointment but acknowledged that both he and Glenn were “definitely my top two” candidates. Councilmember Tim Barnes voiced a strong endorsement for Beaulieu, emphasizing the importance of selecting a candidate who has demonstrated commitment and capability. “I think there’s one candidate who has done more work. And I’m listening to the residents,” Barnes said. “So I support Kyle being in that seat.”

Councilmember Tapia Vega expressed admiration for Beaulieu's quick adaptation to the council's operations, saying, “Kyle absolutely nailed it tonight. I think you’ve learned so much.” He praised Beaulieu for his thorough preparation and understanding of the city’s workings—a sentiment echoed by other council members.

Reflecting on the competitive field, Tapia Vega remarked, “We’re a little spoiled in the city of Lafayette... we have a lot of incredible people in the city.” His comments highlight a vibrant local political landscape where multiple strong candidates are vying for public service roles.

As Beaulieu embarks on this new chapter in Lafayette's political arena, his experience and community support may play pivotal roles in shaping the city's future. The upcoming years will be crucial as he works alongside the council members—Tapia Vega, Gallegos, Jensen, Gianola, Mayor Pro Tem Barnes, and Councilmember David Fridland—to address key issues facing their constituents.