EBR GOP MAKES ENDORSEMENTS FOR JUDGE (GREAT SLATE!)

REPUBLICAN PARTY OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH MAKES ENDORSEMENTS FOR LOCAL JUDGESHIPS ON NOV. 4 BALLOT

The Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish has endorsed several candidates for judge in the Nov. 4, 2014, election. The party's executive committee, which is elected by the Republican voters of the parish for a four-year term, interviewed each candidate seeking the endorsement and required each candidate to complete an extensive questionnaire. The party reviewed the candidates' background, academic history, prior service on the bench or practice of law, and reputation in the community.

Based on all of these factors, the Republican Party of the parish has endorsed the following judicial candidates:

• District Judge, ES3, Division I — Attorney Randy Piedrahita

(Piedrahita, a political newcomer, appears to be poised to oust the incumbent in this race. Also endorsed by the local fire and police organizations and the Tea Party of Louisiana.)

• District Judge, ES2, Division A — Incumbent Judge Todd Hernandez

(GOP incumbent looks bound for re-election.)

•(District Judge, ES2, Division G — Incumbent Judge Richard Anderson

(GOP incumbent another lock for re-election.)

• District Judge, ES2, Division I — Metro Councilman Trae Welch
(Welch is clearly working hard to oust the Democrat incumbent. Also endorsed by local fire and police organizations)

• District Judge, ES2, Division M — Former Assistant District Attorney Beau Higginbotham
(Higginbotham, a hard charging political newcomer, appears to be leading the field in this open seat race. Also endorsed by local fie and police organizations.)

• Family Court Judge, Section 3, Division D — Rep. Hunter Greene

(Greene is giving the incumbent all she can handle. Strong campaign should result in victory.)

COMMENTS: Strong slate of judicial candidates supported by GOP. Our congrats to all endorsed.