Open Judgeship Draws Five Candidates

The announced retirement of District Judge Kay Bates led to a host of candidates seeking her post.  Four Republicans and one Democrat qualified to run in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 primary election.  A runoff if necessary will be Saturday, Dec. 6.

The district includes the north part of East Baton Rouge Parish, including Baker, Zachary, and Central.  The candidates are:

• Clarence Coons, Democrat, has taught at the Southern University Law School since 1989.  He is an associate professor of law.

• Republican Mike Davis is an Army National Guard veteran with 15 years experience engaged in the general practice of law.  He resides in Central.

• Republican Beau Higginbotham served for 11 years as an assistant District Attorney and prosecuted all felonies and misdemeanors.

• Republican Chris Oetjens has practiced both civil and criminal law since 2001.  He is also an Emergency Medical Technician.

• Republican Jamie Morain Zanovec grew up in Central and has practiced law in 15 parishes before 30 different judges.  She says she shares the values of the people of Central.