With the upcoming election just over two weeks away, the race is heating up for a seat on the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.

The seat was vacated in February of this year when Judge Charles Peatross retired.  Two candidates with long standing law backgrounds are in the running to fill Peatross' spot.

Judge David Matlock is one candidate vying for the position.  He became a judge for the Juvenile Court for Caddo Parish in 1994, before being appointed chief judge in 1999.

During his tenure, he has established the Juvenile Drug Court and Truancy Court, both a firsts for the state.

Matlock says his experience is the core of his campaigns platform.

"Leadership and experience and the ability to listen and make sound decisions effecting a vast array of legal areas," said Matlock.

His opponent is State District Judge Frances Pitman.  She has served in the position in the 1st Judicial District in Caddo Parish since 2008. 

Before serving in the position, Pitman served as Assistant Attorney General in the Northern Louisiana Civil Division for 16 years.  During that time she ligitated on both criminal and civil cases.

Pitman says her role as both an attorney and judge make her qualified to hold a seat in the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.

"I went to criminal court, I went to civil court, I did everything that I could possibly do in those different courts so I believe that kind of judge needs to be on the court of appeals," said Pitman.

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals hears both civil and criminal cases for 20 parishes across Northwest Louisiana.

The race for 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals is just one of many that will appear on the ballot come election day on Tuesday, November 6th.