BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Democratic candidate for District 7 Alfred Bell is back on the ballot for Metro Council. Bell is a lifelong resident, with roots deep in the area. "Been there all my life, 57 years, an owner of Bell's Janitorial and nonprofit street team movement," Bell said. Bell originally ran an unsuccessful campaign in 2020 against Lamont Cole, who now serves as East Baton Rouge Parish School System superintendent. He says now is the perfect time to run again. "When LaMont Cole took the position as superintendent, that left the seat open. So, me being a lifelong resident, person who knows the community and knows the people, I think, I'm, I know I'm better at addressing the needs of the community," said Bell. Election 2024: Meet the candidates for Metro Council District 5 Bell says if elected, he'll push for economic growth and development and fight against area blight. "There's no businesses coming into the district, so it is fading away. We are, we have a lot of abandoned houses. And I would like to address this because in a deplorable condition that breeds crime and the houses are being used for drug houses, and I would like to put an end to that," Bell said. Latest News Twin sister of Baton Rouge murder-suicide victim holds candlelight vigil on her anniversary Election 2024: Meet Alfred Bell, candidate for Metro Council District 7 Project 2025 would upend Black Americans' lives: Analysis Breast cancer survivor joins new support group in Baton Rouge Former LSU basketball star Angel Reese signs extension, shoe deal with Reebok