Qualifying ends for fall elections

Created: July 9, 2008 09:57 AM
Modified: July 11, 2008 05:36 PM

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Voters in Northwest Louisiana will have nine candidates to choose from when they decide who will succeed longtime 4th Congressional District Rep. Jim McCrery.

Also on the ballot with congressional elections this fall are elections for judges and districts attorneys around the state.

Qualifying for the fall election cycle ended today.

The candidates to succeed McCrery, who decided not to seek an 11th term, are Willie Banks, D-La Camp; Gerard Bowen of Bossier City; Caddo District Attorney Paul Carmouche, D-Shreveport; civic activist Artis Cash, D-Shreveport; physician John Fleming, R-Minden; businessman Chris Gorman, R-Shreveport; restaurant owner Chester Kelley, I-Shreveport; attorney John Milkovich, D-Shreveport; and attorney Jeff Thompson, R-Bossier City.

McCrery is backing Thompson.

U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-Quitman, drew once challenger for the 5th Congressional District, which includes northeast Louisiana: Republican Andrew Clack of Rayville.

Retired judge Charles Scott and Shreveport attorney Craig Smith are running to succeed Carmouche, who was district attorney for 30 years. The Caddo D.A.'s race is expected to be one of the most hotly contested in the Oct. 4 election.

The congressional elections will be held in a closed party primary system. The first party primary will be held Sept. 6. Party runoffs, if needed, would be Oct. 4. The general election is set for Nov. 4.

Four Caddo judgeships -- three in district court and one in juvenile court -- have no incumbents seeking re-election. Two judges have been convicted of corruption and two others retired before their terms were up.

Districts attorneys and judges are up for election this fall. Here are candidates who have filed for offices in northwest Louisiana. (i) indicates incumbent:

Caddo District Attorney: Charles Scott and Craig Smith

Caddo District Judge Division B: Ramona Emanuel (i)

Caddo District Judge Division D: Leon Emanuel (i)

Caddo District Judge Division J: Carl Franklin, Ramon Lafitte, Ron Stamps

Caddo District Judge Division I: Eddie Brossette, Joseph Greenwald, Craig Marcotte

Caddo District Judge Division A: Bobby Waddell

Caddo District Judge Division G: John Mosely (i)

Caddo District Judge Division C: Scott Crichton (i)

Caddo District Judge Division H: Jeanette Garrett (i)

Caddo District Judge Division E: Mike Pitman (i)

Caddo District Judge Division F: Frances Pitman

Caddo Juvenile Court Judge: Wilbert Pryor and Shonda Stone.

Caddo Juvenile Court Judge: Paul Young