D.A. Reed re-elected without opposition

Five sitting judges, one newcomer also go unopposed

By Matthew Penix
St. Tammany News
Published on Monday, July 14, 2008 10:01 AM CDT



District Attorney Walter Reed sailed to his fifth six-year term Friday alongside six district judges and Slidell City Court Judge Jim Lamz, who all ran unopposed for their respective benches, according to qualifying results for this fall’s election.

Reed, who for 24 years has acted as the lead prosecutor at 22nd Judicial Court serving Washington and St. Tammany parishes, was delighted at the news Friday. Some members of his staff left work early to prepare for a victory party as the remaining minutes of qualifying time ticked away.

“I promise to run a good, honest office that is responsive to the needs of our citizens during my next six-year term,” Reed wrote in a victory statement. “I will endeavor to keep Washington and St. Tammany parishes safe places to live and raise our children.”

Meanwhile, another celebration was likely under way as political newcomer William “Will” J. Crain, a Covington Republican, secured the Division G state judgeship bench vacated by retiring Judge Larry Green, one of three sitting judges slated for retirement.

Five other state judge incumbents also reclaimed their benches without opposition, including Raymond “Ray” Childress in Division A, Peter Garcia in Division D, William J. “Bill” Burris in Division E, Reginald T. Badeaux in Division I and William “Rusty” Knight in Division J.

In Slidell, City Court Judge Lamz secured his first full six-year term unopposed. Lamz, who was first elected to the bench to fill the remaining four years a six-year term when Judge Gary Dragon died, was thrilled with the win. He expected at least one challenger, he said.

“We didn’t know whether to plan a (campaign) kickoff party or celebration party,” Lamz said, adding he’s “very thankful” for the opportunity.

“The public can trust me to continue being fair and firm and serve full time,” he said.

Slidell City Court is considered a part-time job. Lamz, who quit his law practice when first elected, said he’ll continue to donate his full time “especially when it comes to juvenile cases that take more attention.”

Serving Lamz will be Slidell City Court Marshal Wyatt Williams, a Slidell Republican, who also qualified unopposed.

Those who also clinched their seats without challengers include Constables Greg Chabreck, a Lacombe Republican, and Pearl River Republican Floyd Trascher for Wards 7 and 8, respectively. Trecia Kennedy ran without opposition for Justice of the Peace in Ward 6, and Dewey Spies won the Justice of the Peace seat in Ward 7.

In all, 80 candidates qualified to fill the 44 local positions scheduled for vote Oct. 4. A runoff, if needed, is scheduled for Nov. 4.

QUALIFIERS

*Only one candidate can be elected to each position unless otherwise noted

District Judge, 22nd Judicial District Court:

Division A:

Raymond “Ray” Childress, Republican, Folsom

Division B:

A J. Hand, Republican, Covington

“Reggie” Laurent, Republican, Slidell

Patrick E. Moore, Republican, Covington

Division C:

Warren Montgomery, Republican, Covington

Edward S. “Ed” Rapier, Jr., Republican, Mandeville

Richard “Rick” Swartz, Republican, Slidell

Division D:

Peter J. Garcia, No Party, Covington

Division E:

William J. “Bill” Burris, Republican, Franklinton

Division F:

Martin E. Coady, Republican, Covington

Division G:

William J. “Will” Crain, Republican, Covington

Division H:

Allison Hopkins Penzato, Republican, Mandeville

Stephen “Steve” Yazbeck, Republican, Covington

Division I:

Reginald T. Badeaux, Republican, Covington

Division J:

William “Rusty” Knight, Republican, Franklinton

Division K:

Mary Clemence Devereux, Republican, Slidell

Martha Elliott, Republican, Slidell

Division L:

Dawn Amacker, Republican, Mandeville

Carol Richards Tusa, Democrat, Covington

District Attorney:

Walter P. Reed, Republican, Covington

Slidell City Court Judge:

James “Jim” Lamz, Republican, Slidell

Slidell City Court Marshal:

Wyatt Williams, Republican, Slidell

Constables/Justice of the Peace Ward 1: (Two to be elected)

Bob Bruno, Democrat, Mandeville

P. Wallace “Wally” Gottschalk, Republican, Covington

Blake Pennington, Republican, Madisonville

Constables/Justice of the Peace Ward 2 (Two to be elected)

Gregory Byers, Republican, Folsom

Tilman “Pete” King, Republican, Bush

John Thomas Mathies, III, Republican, Folsom

Ethan Sharp, Republican, Bush

Greg Sharp, Republican, Bush

Constables/Justice of the Peace Ward 3 (Two to be elected)

Nicholas “Nick” Bologna, Republican, Covington

Richard “Rick” Moore, Republican, Covington

Tasso “Tiger” Taylor, III, Republican, Covington

Constables/Justice of the Peace Ward 4 (Two to be elected)

“Hew” Hamilton, Republican, Mandeville

Michael Hand, Republican, Mandeville

Angela R. Johnson, Republican, Mandeville

Gary J. Leonard, Republican, Mandeville

Ralph Rusca, No Party, Mandeville

Darryl Taylor, Republican, Mandeville

Eddie Schmidt, Republican, Mandeville

Constable/Justice of the

Peace Ward 5

“Woody” Crawford, No party specified, Bush

George Stiles, Democrat, Bush

Constable/Justice of the Peace Ward 6

James “Jimmy” Howell, Democrat, Pearl River

Elton N. Jordan, No Party, Pearl River

Constable/Justice of the Peace Ward 7

“Greg” Chabreck, Republican, Lacombe

Constable/Justice of the Peace Ward 8

Floyd Trascher, Republican, Pearl River

Constable/Justice of the Peace Ward 10 (Two to be elected)

Cynthia Ann Backe, No Party, Abita Springs

David M. “Mike” Davis, Republican, Abita Springs

Charlie Heck, Sr., Democrat, Covington

Leonard William Lenel, Unspecified party, Covington

Justices of the Peace, Ward 1 (Two to be elected)

Wayne M. Aufrecht, Republican, Covington

Gregory B. Badeaux, Republican, Madisonville

Billy G. Breland, Republican, Madisonville

“Pat” Gottschalck Dedon, Republican, Folsom

Nicholas “Nick” Lacoste, Jr., Republican, Covington

“Chuck” Wohltmann, Republican, Covington

Justices of the Peace Ward 2 (Two to be elected)

“Tim” Garlick, Republican, Bush

Juanita F. Mizell, Republican, Folsom

Johnnie Sanders, Republican, Bush

Derrick Sharp, Republican, Bush

Justice of the Peace, Ward 3

John L. Calico, Republican, Covington

Connie G. Moore, Republican, Covington

“Jim” Moorman, Republican, Covington

Justice Peace Ward 3 (Unexp. Term)

John L. Calico, Republican, Covington

“Jim” Moorman, Republican, Covington

Justices of the Peace Ward 4 (Two to be elected)

B. “Frank” Davis, Unspecified Party, Mandeville

Robert “Bob” Green, Republican, Mandeville

Susan Tingstrom Leonard, Republican, Mandeville

Phillip “Chip” Lynch, Jr., Republican, Mandeville

Marie M. Taylor, Republican, Mandeville

Rob Rouyer, Republican, Mandeville

Justices of the Peace Ward 5

James “PeeWee” Kahl, No Party, Bush

Ramon Fonseca, Unspecified Party, Bush

Justice of the Peace Ward 6

Trecia Kennedy, Pearl River

Justice of the Peace Ward 7

Dewey Spies, Republican, Lacombe

Justice of the Peace Ward 8

Sandra Johnson, No Party, Slidell

Tracey Turgeau Powell, Republican, Slidell

Justice of the Peace Ward 10 (Two to be elected)

Olivia “Levie” Hannan, No Party, Abita Springs

Lisa C. King, Republican, Abita Springs


Comments

1 comment(s)

    Misty Hughes wrote on Jul 15, 2008 10:08 PM:

    " Upon review of the candidates listed on Secretary of State web site is also the qualifications and address list of candidates.Don't the candidates have to reside in the ward in which they are running for office?It seems some have an address in another ward or area. "

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