FERRIDAY — Police Chief Richard Madison announced Monday he will seek the District 21 Representative’s seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives this fall.

Madison —who served in the U.S. Army for more than 20 years — has been police chief in Ferriday since March 2006.

The election will be Oct. 20.

Madison said he decided to run because there are a multitude of issues facing the district.

“I do not feel they have been addressed or acted upon,” he said. “One needs only to look to see there has been a lot of talk but little to no action.”

Along with educational and economic development, Madison said he wants to see more development of people, he said.

“There is not enough effort being put into the people in the district to help them develop as people, to help them see that they too can achieve the American dream,” he said.

One of those ways is to encourage home ownership, Madison said.

“You wouldn’t believe how much home-ownership can change a person’s perspective,” he said.

The campaign he runs will not be about self but about the needs of the district, Madison said.

“We need to see the state share the wealth with all the municipalities in the district,” he said.

Madison said he will not make promises he can’t keep, and he will assist any municipality in the district with grant writing to get what they need.

“I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” he said. “I don’t back down when I know I’m right.”

Madison said he will resign his position police chief if elected, and will not hold any other job so he can visit each parish in the district at least once a week.

“I will not be a part-time representative,” he said.

Madison previously announced candidacy for the position when Bryant Hammett, of Ferriday, retired from an unfinished term in 2006, but later dropped out of the race.

Rep. Andy Anders, of Ferriday, was elected to the position in Oct. 2006, and has not officially announced his candidacy, but has publicly made comments about future plans in the legislature.