Voters in Livingston, Tangipahoa and St. Helena parishes have the opportunity to pick a new juvenile judge from three candidates in Saturday's election.
Three Republican women are vying for the 21st Judicial District Court juvenile judge spot to replace Judge Blair D. Edwards who was recently elected unopposed to the Court of Appeals.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 29. Voters can find their polling locations here.
Rebecca Davis-Lee
Davis-Lee, of Tangipahoa Parish, is a defense attorney in French Settlement and is an assistant juvenile public defender for the 21st Judicial District.
Davis-Lee wants to get more community partners and more resources across the three parishes to lessen the number of juvenile cases, she said.
"My passion lies in juvenile justice. I firmly believe that to break the generational cycles of crime and poverty that afflict our community, we must start with the children," Davis-Lee said on her campaign website.
Jenny Richardson Fore
Fore, of Livingston Parish, is an assistant public defender in the 21st Judicial District and was once a law clerk for Edwards in the juvenile court.
Fore wants to prioritize rehabilitation and education for children in order to avoid repeat offenses, she said when she announced her candidacy.
"I will continue to lead our juvenile court with the personal care and attention our children need, and with unwavering toughness against those who would neglect and harm our most vulnerable citizens," Fore said.
Jessica C. Ledet
Ledet, of St. Helena Parish, is the Town of Independence prosecutor. She also is a parent attorney in the Juvenile Court for Child in Need of Care for the 21st Judicial District public defender's office.
Ledet wants to get the churches and the community more involved with the juvenile population to lead to better schools and families, she said in her candidacy announcement.
"This is a calling for me and not just a job. I will have tough love for juveniles while holding parents accountable. I will work to keep our families, our schools and our community safe," Ledet said in the post.