As the state’s top prosecutor and legal officer, the attorney general is head of the Louisiana Department of Justice. The AG’s legal opinion is sought from organizations, agencies and individuals statewide.
The attorney general is also the official legal advisor for the governor and state departments.
Five are vying for the seat.
GERALDINE “GERI” BROUSSARD BALONEY
Geraldine “Geri” Broussard Baloney, a Democrat, says she is running so that voters can have a “serious option” in the race for attorney general, adding that Louisianans need a real choices in this race after eight years of conservative Republican policies that have been “out of touch with Louisiana’s working families.”
Baloney has more than 20 years of criminal and civil litigation experience in district, federal and administrative court. As a business owner, her interests include a funeral home, a reception and conference facility and a land holding company in addition to serving as a partner in a law firm.
Baloney, who resides in St. John the Baptist Parish, says she is an independent voice, adding that she will use the AG’s office and its resources to promote criminal justice reform and to protect children, seniors, consumers and small business owners
“As attorney general, I am going to hold quarterly town hall meetings across the state,” she says. “I will be like no attorney general this state has ever seen. I am going to engage faith-based and community organizations.
Another thing she will do if elected is limit the amount of contract work the AG’s office doles out to outside firms, Baloney says, calling the move one that would save money. And on those occasions when contracting with outside law firms for some of work is necessary, Baloney says she will ensure that contracts opportunities are spread around to underutilized firms and attorneys.”
“The current (attorney general) has two or three big law firms that get all the work,” Baloney says. “We must eliminate the buddy system. I will not award no-bid contracts to big dollar law firms. We will utilize existing staff attorneys and work toward limiting outside counsel. And when outside contracts are necessary, I will give more smaller and minority firms across the state an opportunity to provide legal services on behalf of the state.”
JAMES D. “BUDDY” CALDWELL
This candidate did not respond to The New Orleans Tribune’s candidate profile request.
ISAAC “IKE” JACKSON
Attorney Ike Jackson, a Democrat from Plaquemine, La., says he has a “lifetime of experiences in diverse areas of interests in which he is licensed and/or trained, including insurance and teaching in addition to his law practice.
As attorney general, he says he will put the people first.
If elected Jackson says he will restore “integrity, responsibility and pride with the (state) Department of Justice.
Jackson also says he will work to ensure that all contract attorneys are chosen based on their ability.
The candidate adds that he will do more to support small businesses throughout the state.
“I would look to principles set forth in the Hudson initiative which was designed to help eligible small businesses obtain greater access to available purchasing and contracting opportunities at the state government level.”
“JEFF” LANDRY
This candidate did not respond to The New Orleans Tribune’s candidate profile request.
MARTEY MALEY
Baton Rouge Republican Martey Maley says crime, early intervention programs and victims’ rights will top his agenda if elected.
“I will work with the sheriffs and district attorney’s offices around the state to ensure that violent and repeat offenders are given the maximum allowable sentences and will utilize the habitual offender law when warranted,” says Maley, a felony trial prosecutor in the 18th judicial district who also owns law firms in Baton Rouge, Port Allen and Napoleonville.
Maley also coordinates the district attorney’s early intervention program in Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge and Iberville Parishes. Ho plans to continue to the efforts if elected to the state’s top legal officer.
“I will work with community leaders to create innovative programs that educate and influence at risk youth,” he says. “I will also use the intervention efforts to reduce the skyrocketing cost of prosecution and incarceration.”
