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Louisiana Republicans eliminate elected position days before an exoneree was set to take office
Republicans say the change will save $260,000 and align Orleans Parish with other clerk systems, while critics call it an effort to block Duncan.
- On Thursday, Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed legislation abolishing the Orleans Parish criminal court clerk position, preventing Calvin Duncan from taking office next Monday.
- Republicans argue the legislation consolidates civil and criminal clerks' offices in Orleans Parish to improve judicial system efficiency and cut costs, aligning the parish with all others in the state.
- Duncan, an exoneree who spent nearly 30 years in prison, won the seat with 68% of the vote; the consolidation shifts about $1.17 million in state costs while saving the city $233,000.
- Rep. Mandie Landry called the Republican effort "atrocious" during an April committee hearing, while Democrats describe the change as government overreach infringing on a predominantly Black parish's voters.
- Duncan has asked a federal judge to allow him to take office as scheduled, while the bill forms part of a broader GOP effort to overhaul the New Orleans judiciary.
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Associated Press News+11 Reposted by 11 other sources
Louisiana Republicans eliminate elected position days before an exoneree was set to take office
Louisiana Republicans have eliminated the office an exoneree was set to take after being overwhelmingly elected to the New Orleans-based seat. Republican Gov.
·United States
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Total News Sources12
Leaning Left4Leaning Right2Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 33%
C 50%
R 17%
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