Supreme Court Election Dec. 8, 2012

JudicialPaid for by Judge Jeff Hughes Campaignreport for Louisiana Supreme Court Conservative-vs.-Liberal Battle for Control of Court Supreme Court at Stake Judge Jeff Hughes Liberal Democrat Election Will Give Takes Reins as Conservatives 4-3 Chief Justice of Majority on State’s Supreme Court NEW ORLEANS — After sev- Supreme Court eral months of controversy and BATON ROUGE — The Dec. 8 a federal lawsuit, the Louisiana runoff election for a seat on the Supreme Court has agreed on Louisiana Supreme Court could a new Chief Justice. Associate make history by giving the court Justice Bernette Johnson will a Republican majority for the first replace current Chief Justice time ever. Kitty Kimball on Jan. 1, 2013. If Republican nominee Judge Justice Johnson is a Democrat Jeff Hughes is elected, four of the and the most liberal member of seven members of the court will be the court. As Chief Justice, she Republicans. Philosophically, the will be the Chief Administrative court would have a 4-3 conserva- Officer of the judicial system of tive majority as well. But if Dem- the state, subject to rules adopt- ocrat Judge John Michael Guidry ed by a majority of the Supreme is elected, the court will continue Court. Controversy arose be- on a more liberal path. cause she has been an elected Who turns out and votes Dec. 8 is the key. Hughes is the favorite See NEW CHIEF on Page 8 See HOW on Page 4 See HUGHES on Page 6 Judge Jeff Hughes WHAT I BELIEVE Member, Louisiana REAL-LIFE CONSERVATIVE Judge Jeff Hughes stands for the principles found in by Judge Jeff Hughes Court of Appeal the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. and Louisiana Constitutions. • U. S. Constitution Republican Nominee • Right to life for Supreme Court Republicans Support Hughes, • Right to property 12 Years Law Practice • Keep & bear arms Democrat Party Backs Guidry • Traditional Marriage 14 Years District Judge BATON ROUGE — Five Repub- Now the Republican Party is 8 Years on Louisiana lican judges entered the race for rallying around Hughes. The • Court of Appeal the Louisiana Supreme Court in Louisiana Republican Party has • Judges should apply the Nov. 6 primary. Court of Ap- endorsed Judge Hughes, as has the the law to the facts Conservative Republican peal Judge Jeff Hughes emerged largest local party organization in from that crowded field and will the state — the Republican Party of a case — not try Native of Denham Springs face Democrat Judge John Mi- of East Baton Rouge Parish. The to make the law! chael Guidry in the runoff Dec. 8 See REPUBLICAN on Page 7 Opponent Lacks Trial Court Experience BATON ROUGE — One of the most important issues facing vot- ers in the Dec. 8 runoff for a seat Trial Court Experience • Comparison on the Louisiana Supreme Court is trial court experience. Both Judge Jeff Hughes Served as District Judge 14 Years, While Jeff Hughes and Judge John Michael Guidry Never Served as a Trial Judge John Michael Guidry cur- Guidry Type Trial Experience Hughes rently serve on the Louisiana Court of Ap- 0 No. of Civil Cases Tried 1,000+ peals. How- 0 No. of Criminal Cases Tried 1,000+ ever, Judge Guidry has no 0 No. of Jury Trials 100+ experience as a trial judge. Judge Guidry 0 No. of Cases Tried 10+ As a result, he has never tried a civil case, never tried a criminal Note: Before being elected to the Court of Appeal from an inner city case, never conducted a jury trial, and never conducted a murder trial. district, Judge Guidry had only very limited experience as a practic- On the other hand, Judge Hughes ing attorney, while Judge Hughes practiced for 12 years and tried served as a District Court judge for 14 years and has extensive experi- hundreds of cases in court. ence as a trial judge. Louisiana Supreme Court See GOVERNOR on Page 8 2 LOUISIANA JUDICIAL REPORT December 2012 As a Boy, Jeff Hughes Grew Up in Denham Springs of 1950’s-1960’s In Hughes’ World, Home and Family, God and Country Meant Everything And They Still Do DENHAM SPRINGS — Court of Appeal Judge Jeff Hughes remem- bers growing up in Denham Springs in the 1950’s and 1960’s as very much like the TV series, Leave It to Beaver. “For us kids, life revolved around sports. We lived a couple of blocks from Denham Springs High. From LEAVE IT TO BEAVER — For Jeff Hughes (left), growing up at the Hughes household in Denham Springs was like the television the time I was six years old, I was series, Leave It to Beaver. “A wonderful life!” Hughes said. Shown are Paul, Barbara, dad J.D., mom Betty, and Jeff Hughes. at the school playing whatever sport was in season — before school, pop flies I could catch. No matter during recess, and after school.” how tired he was, he always made Through sports, Jeff made count- time for me,” the judge said. less friends who remain his friends Jeff remembers his dad coming more than 50 years later. in late at night from fighting forest “Our mom was the perfect moth- fires. A series of fire towers was er. She had dinner ready every used to sound the alarm. Jeff often night, washed the clothes, and took travelled with his dad. He watched us to practice. She has a degree in forests being replanted and learned chemistry and is very smart, but she the importance of conservation. was totally devoted to raising the Hunting and fishing were a big three of us,” Hughes remembers. part of life. “My dad gave me a Jeff was the oldest. Sister Barba- BB gun when I was 6. Later I got ra was two years younger and broth- a Benjamin pump. Then a .22. By er Paul was two years younger than the time I was 13, I had my first Barbara. “I was always very close shotgun.” to my brother and sister. Of course, “Growing up in Denham Springs we fought like cats and dogs! But was like life in Leave It to Beaver. we’re still close today. Very close.” My buddies and I would get on our Their dad, J.D. Hughes, was a bicycles and cover the entire town. forester and rose to be manager of We’d ride downtown, ride to the Crown Zellerbach’s forestry opera- woods, ride to the river. Our par- tions in the Florida Parishes. ents had no idea where we were. “Dad had a lot of responsibili- We just had to be home by dark. ties, and most days he would come We never got in any trouble.” home dog tired from a hard day. Besides his mom and dad, Jeff But I was always there waiting for says he was influenced by great him to pass me the football or hit Denham Springs High Yellow Jacket basketball team. Jeff is 2nd on 3rd row. See FAMILY on Page 8

A Pro-Life Champion for Supreme Court

Vote Jeff Hughes Louisiana Supreme Court December 8, 2012 Paid for by Jeff Hughes Campaign, P. O. Box 14927, Baton Rouge, LA 70896 Website: www.JudgeJeff.com LOUISIANA JUDICIAL REPORT December 2012 3 Hughes Began as Scholar-Athlete At Denham Springs High School Jeff Hughes Was As National Merit Finalist, Future Judge Nat’l Merit Finalist, Was in Top 1/2 of 1% of Nation’s Youth Salutatorian at challenging. “I especially had to ate met in the Senate Chamber at study for Mr. Davis, who liked to the State Capitol, and it was my first ask trick questions,” Hughes said. introduction to politics,” he said. Largest School in Hughes finished his four years of Hughes was one of the state’s high school with straight A’s... ex- top basketball stars and was offered Livingston Parish cept for one B — one B too many, a basketball scholarship to the Uni- DENHAM SPRINGS — For young as it dropped him into a tie for Sa- versity of Southern Mississippi. Jeff Hughes, Denham Springs High lutatorian with Winton Aubert and However, his high SAT score and School was about opportunity — a allowed a girl to win Valedictorian, selection as a National Merit Fi- great high school in an All-Amer- a much-deserving Pat Glover. nalist drew the attention of LSU, ican city where he could achieve Hughes said his parents never which offered him a full academic success in academics, leadership, pressed him to make straight A’s. scholarship. and sports. “In the first grade, I came home In the end, Hughes chose not to Great teachers opened the door of with all A’s except for one B. My pursue a basketball career and de- opportunity for Hughes, allowing parents simply asked me if anyone cided instead to accept the academ- him to become one of Louisiana’s had made all A’s. I said yes and got ic scholarship to LSU. few National Merit Finalists — an the message. If they could do it, I honor achieved by fewer than 1/2 could do it!” of one percent of the students who At Denham Springs High, take the SAT test every year. Some Hughes was an officer of Key Club schools will go 20 years without International and had many oppor- having a National Merit Finalist. tunities to serve the Denham Springs Others never achieve that honor. JEFF HUGHES community through Key Club. At Denham Springs High, prin- gebra and trigonometry), Horace He was chosen to represent Den- cipal Grady Hornsby and teachers McCann (history), and Olen Davis ham Springs High at Pelican Boys such as Mrs. Genelle Montgomery (science) made the world of aca- State, where he was elected to the (English), Mrs. Eulalie Genius (al- demics interesting and sometimes State Senate. “The Boys State Sen- Jeff Hughes: 2-Time All-District, Named MVP in Livingston Parish DENHAM SPRINGS — In high During the 1969-1970 season, during the season and made into the school, Jeff Hughes loved sports the starting five for the Denham State AA Playoffs, finally losing to and was a four-sport athlete for Springs Yellow Jackets was James Ponchatoula. “It was a sad day for most of his high school career. Howze and Harvey Armstrong at me, as I realized that I would never But his passion was for basket- guard, Ronnie Scivique and Monty again put on the jersey of Denham ball. Standing 6’4”, Hughes was Morales at forward, and Hughes at Springs High!” impressive during his junior and center. They lost only five games PHOTO: Hughes vs. Central in 1970 senior years, averaging 19 points a game and earning All-District hon- ors both years. In his senior season, Hughes was named MVP for Livingston Parish high school basketball. His role model was head bas- ketball coach Alton Leggett. Jeff Hughes said, “Coach Leggett had polio as a child and played basket- ball with a false leg, but he had re- ally developed his upper body and was probably the strongest man I ever saw. He could do something I’ve never seen before or since. He would take a basketball and slam it down on the basketball court floor so hard that it would fly all the way to ceiling! It was pretty amazing!”

Associate Justice, La. Supreme Court Runoff Election on Saturday, Dec. 8, John M. Guidry (D) Jeff Hughes (R) Ascension, East & West Baton Rouge, East & West Feliciana, Iberville, Livings- ton, and Pointe Coupee . Low Turnout Is Expected. Every Vote Will Count 4 LOUISIANA JUDICIAL REPORT December 2012 At LSU, Jeff Hughes Developed Love Of History, and He Excelled at the Law At LSU Law School, Hughes Was Named Fresh Out of Law School, Jeff Hughes To LSU Law Review, Became 1st Attorney in Town of Walker An Honor Reserved anything at all. Then he met with Some Clients Paid a client for an hour and made a For Top Students $25 fee, later $50, and then the BATON ROUGE — Arriving at With Fresh Eggs, grand sum of $100 for a single LSU in the fall of 1970, Jeff Hughes hour of his time! Finally, a “big” threw himself into the Honors Turnip Greens, and case came in, and he earned $500! program while soaking up all the “I knew we’d be able to pay for Tiger football, intramural sports, Other Farm Crops the copy machine!” he said. parties, and social life he could. WALKER — When Jeff Hughes Young Hughes handled a wide He studied under Pulitzer Prize- began the practice of law in the range of cases — from domes- winning author and historian Prof. late 1970’s, the Town of Walker tic to business to criminal. He T. Harry Williams and read every- in Livingston had one red light, learned and grew as an attorney, thing he could on the Greeks and one bank, and no lawyers. earning the respect and trust of Romans, American history, and the But, with a population of people in the Walker area. Civil War. His great-great-great 3,000 and growing, Walker was Now there was one red light, grandfather, Peter Hammond, was the land of opportunity. one bank, and one lawyer in the the founder of Hammond, LA, and Jeff Hughes hung out his shin- Town of Walker. had Swedish ancestry. So Hughes gle in a building he rented from One of Hughes’ clients, George also waded into the history of the Lester Hodges right next to the Thomas, had some property, and Vikings. Walker Town Hall. Hughes ad- he liked to donate an acre of land “Looking back, I wish I’d spent mired Hodges, who owns the to a son or daughter. George was more time reading at LSU, but there Old South Jamboree and whom always bringing fresh eggs, turnip were lots of distractions for a young Hughes considers a shrewd busi- greens, or squash to the office. “I college student on campus!” nessman. Soon people were call- couldn’t charge George in cash,” Despite the distractions, Hughes ing or stopping by for advice. Hughes remembers. “You charge managed to earn a B.A. in history The advice of a young law- what the traffic will bear, and with honors. Then he took his JEFF HUGHES yer wasn’t worth that much, and there was nothing more valuable father’s advice and went to law Walker’s first Attorney at Law sometimes Hughes didn’t charge than George Thomas’ produce!” school. “With a law degree, you can practice law or become an FBI Litvinoff, and Hargrave — all leg- view, one of the school’s top hon- rison & Kuhn. After graduation, agent or go into business,” his dad ends in the legal community today. ors. He wrote a noteworthy article he clerked for federal Magistrate advised. With a grade point at or near the on the Right to Resist Unlawful Frank Polozola. After a brief stint At the LSU Law Center, Hughes top 10 percent of his class, he was Arrest. In the summer, he clerked at a larger law firm, he decided to admired professors such as Pascal, invited to serve on the Law Re- for the law firm of Fayard, - Mor hang out his shingle in Walker, LA. After 12 Years in Private Practice, Jeff Hughes Elected District Judge for 21st Judicial District criminal cases, including jury tri- als and murder trials. This kind of As District Judge, experience is invaluable, because it includes finding the facts of the Hughes Conducted case and applying the Constitu- tion and law to those facts. In the Thousands of Trials, process, the judge is expected to render justice for the parties to the Gained Real-Life litigation or, in the case of criminal trials, to the defendant, the victim, Judicial Experience and the families involved. LIVINGSTON — In 1990, after Judge Hughes said he loved the 12 years in the private practice of work. “More than anything, the law, attorney Jeff Hughes decided challenge of the District Judge is to to run for District Court Judge do justice and help people through from the 21st Judicial District, some very tough times in their which consists of Livingston, Tan- lives.” gipahoa, and St. Helena parishes. “The really difficult part of the As a native of Livingston, he job is sentencing a criminal defen- would normally have been at a dant,” Hughes said. “You have disadvantage because most of the to realize that there is evil in the population was in Tangipahoa. world, and some people are a men- But Hughes’ great-great-great Judge Jeff Hughes sworn in by Justice of the Peace Jeff Sasche ace to society. Sometimes very grandfather, Peter Hammond, was long sentences are justified. At the founder of Hammond, and the other times, criminal defendants Hughes family was well known As a District Judge, Jeff Hughes was known for fair are not a real threat to anyone else, and respected in Tangipahoa Par- sentences. Something funny happened during this and that needs to be considered.” ish. “The worst thing that can hap- Hughes won that election, de- campaign. He knocked on a door and asked the pen is to let someone go free and feating the incumbent District man for permission to put up a yard sign. To his find out later that they murdered Judge, thus beginning his 14 years surprise, the man said, “In 1997, you put me in jail!” someone. Fortunately, that never of service as a trial court judge. happened in my court,” he said. In Louisiana, the District Court Then he said, “But you did the right thing. Hughes said he supports capi- is the court of original jurisdiction, I deserved it. No, I wouldn’t mind if you put up that tal punishment, although he never and it handles almost every type of sign!” Endorsements from the governor and other had occasion to sentence anyone to civil and criminal case. death as a District Judge. Although In his years on the District high officials are impressive, but none so impres- Hughes was considered by some — Judge Jeff Hughes Court bench, Judge Hughes pre- sive as from someone you put in jail! to be very tough as District Court sided over thousands of civil and judge, he said he feels he was fair. LOUISIANA JUDICIAL REPORT December 2012 5 Elected to State Court of Appeal in 2004, Judge Hughes Takes Conservative Stand As Appellate Judge, Judge Hughes Jeff Hughes Reads Wrote Opinion Legal Briefs, Hears Oral Arguments, Denying Appeal Writes Opinions Of Derrick Todd Lee Reviewing Decision BATON ROUGE — In the in- vestigation of accused serial Of District Judges killer Derrick Todd Lee, Lee BATON ROUGE — In 2004, Dis- was ordered to submit to a DNA trict Judge Jeff Hughes defeated test by use of a subpoena, rather an incumbent judge for a seat on than a search warrant. The DNA the Louisiana 1st Circuit Court of evidence was critical in connect- Appeal from the Florida parishes.. ing Lee to the crimes. “Serving on the Court of Appeal Without the DNA evidence, is completely different from serv- Lee might never have been ing as a trial judge,” Hughes said. linked to a number of in “We hear oral arguments only two the Baton Rouge area. An ille- days a month, and the rest of the gal DNA test could have invali- time we’re reading briefs, digging dated Lee’s conviction, as “fruit through the record, and writing of the poisonous tree.” opinions. As a District Judge, you Lee’s appeal of the use of his don’t have much staff, sometimes DNA went to the Court of Ap- not even a part-time law clerk. Judge Jeff Hughes of the Louisiana Court of Appeal, 1st Circuit peal where Judge Jeff Hughes But on the Court of Appeal, we wrote the opinion upholding the have staff, and that’s a big help.” use of the DNA and denying his Judge Hughes has written opin- I am a strict constructionist. It is the duty of appeal. Hughes’ opinion was ions in some well-known cases, the Legislature, not judges, to make the law. I critical to the ultimate outcome including denying the appeal of in the case. Today serial killer Derrick Todd Lee and upholding “consider the Constitution to be an inspired doc- Derrick Todd Lee is in Angola the constitutionality of using Tax ument... The Founders strove to protect us from awaiting execution. Incremental Financing (TIF) to build Cabela’s in Ascension. This an overreaching government. led to the approval of the Bass Pro — Judge Jeff Hughes Shop in Denham Springs. ” Judge Jeff Hughes Answers Key Questions NOTE: In 2002, the United a lot of fanfare. I believe that a proceedings. States Supreme Court ruled that good judge, like a good umpire, Question: What about the candidates for judicial office have should remain in the background right to privacy? the right to announce their views and let the game, or in this case, Judge Hughes’ Answer: I am on disputed legal or political is- the law, take precedence. Show- grateful we have strong protec- sues. The following are some of boating can prove detrimental to tions in the Louisiana Constitu- Judge Hughes’ answers to a ques- one’s cause. tion. One of my favorite books is tionnaire submitted to him by the Question: What is your posi- Orwell’s 1984. “Big Brother” has Republican Party of East Baton tion on the right to property? become a cliché but the book’s Rouge Parish. Judge Hughes’ Answer: I am theme of the middle class being Question: Who are your ju- a strong proponent of the right to drained and deprived by unend- dicial role models? property. I disagree with the de- ing war against a vague, unseen Judge Hughes’ Answer: I cision of the U.S. Supreme Court enemy is eerily relevant today. admire John Marshall for estab- in Kelo v. City of New London Question: What is your posi- lishing the rule of law early in that allowed private property to tion on access to public records our history and Roger Taney for be taken for the benefit of a taxing and our open meetings law? helping break the stronghold the authority rather than the public Judge Hughes’ Answer: I am Bank of the United States had on good such as a road or a bridge. committed to protecting our Loui- the economy of a young republic. I am strongly in favor of the pro- siana Constitution’s guarantees of My favorite justices on the U. S. tection provided by Louisiana law access to public records and open Supreme Court today are Justices for jury trials and full and just meetings. Sunshine is the best JUDGE JEFF HUGHES often works Clarence Thomas and Samuel compensation in expropriation disinfectant. The only exception late into the night on a crucial decision Alito, because I share their values cases. I am suspicious of “quick- I consider is an ongoing criminal like that of murderer Derrick Todd Lee. and they get the job done without taking” approaches and forfeiture investigation.

JEFF HUGHES with his staff at Court of Appeal Judges of Louisiana Court of Appeal. Judge Jeff Hughes is to the left of the state seal. 6 LOUISIANA JUDICIAL REPORT December 2012 Hughes’ Election Would Give Republicans A Majority on Supreme Court for 1st Time First-Time Ever What Judge Hughes Hopes to Accomplish Opportunity for On Supreme Court BATON ROUGE — Judge Jeff Conservative Hughes said there are several goals he hopes to accomplish as a Court Majority member of the Louisiana Supreme Continued from Page 1 Court. The judge said, “Of course, in the race, but only if conservative the most important thing is to fol- voters show up at the polls. low the Constitution and laws of Guidry’s base is the inner city the United States and of the State of Baton Rouge and majority black of Louisiana to administer justice precincts in the River Parishes. in the courts of our state. But I also Hughes’ base consists of Central hope to improve the image of our (4 percent), Livingston Parish (16 courts by setting high ethical stan- percent), Ascension (14 percent), dards. We want to make sure that and Southeast Baton Rouge (16 cases are decided on the merits and percent), or about 50 percent of the not based on who takes a Supreme registered voters. Court justice to lunch or who funds In the Nov. 6 primary, Republi- their campaigns. As we do this, can candidates received 57 per cent NEW CHIEF JUSTICE Bernette Johnson of the Louisiana Supreme Court is expected public confidence in our court sys- of the vote. If those voters show up to take the court in a more liberal direction unless Judge Jeff Hughes is elected. tem will improve.” on Dec. 8, Hughes will be difficult to beat. The concern among Re- publicans is that conservative vot- West SAMPLE BALLOT • Dec. 8, 2012 ers might stay home and not bother Feliciana East to vote. In the Nov. 6 presidential Feliciana election, President Obama’s cam- SUPREME COURT paign turned out his supporters in the swing states at an even greater John Michael Guidry (D) [ ] rate than in 2008. The result was an Pointe East Jeff Hughes (R) [ ] Obama victory. Coupe Baton With the elevation of liberal Rouge COURT OF APPEAL - 1st Circuit Democrat Bernette Johnson to the West Livingston Baton Gideon Carter III (D) [ ] post of Chief Justice of the Louisi- Rouge ana Supreme Court, the election of Michael McDonald (R) [ ] a Republican majority to the court Supreme Court would tend to limit her actions, Iberville BATON ROUGE CITY JUDGE while the election of another Demo- District Ascension crat could give her more freedom to No. 5 Tiffany Foxworth (D) [ ] move not only the Supreme Court but the entire Louisiana judicial Suzan Ponder (R) [ ] system to the left. Meet Judge Jeff Hughes for Supreme Court PERSONAL BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION • Lifelong resident of Livingston Parish, Louisiana • Son of J. D. and Betty Hughes of Denham Springs • Brother of Paul Hughes and Barbara Hughes Favre • Graduate, Denham Springs High School — Salutatorian, Class of 1970 — National Merit Finalist — All-District Basketball Player (2 years) — Most Valuable Player for Livingston Parish • B. A. degree in History with Honors, LSU, 1974 • Juris Doctor degree in Law, LSU Law School, 1977 — LSU Law Review (Top law school students) • Member, Shady Bower Church • Loves to hunt, fish, read, and spend time with family CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS • Attorney at Law, 1978-present • First attorney to practice in Town of Walker • 12 years in private practice of law, handling all type cases • Elected District Judge for 21st Judicial District (Livingston, Tangipahoa, and St. Helena parishes),1990-2004. Heavy docket of civil and criminal cases, including jury trials and murder cases. • Elected to Louisiana Court of Appeal, 2004-present • Republican nominee, Louisiana Supreme Court, 2012 • Endorsed by Republican Party, Tea Party of Louisiana, JUDGE JEFF HUGHES Gov. Bobby Jindal, Livingston Parish News, and many others Judge, Louisiana 1st Circuit Court of Appeal Candidate, Associate Justice, Louisiana Supreme Court To Support Jeff Hughes for Supreme Court, Call 225-278-8181 Paid for by Jeff Hughes Campaign, P. O. Box 14927, Baton Rouge, LA 70896 • Website: www.JudgeJeff.com LOUISIANA JUDICIAL REPORT December 2012 7

Tea Party rally on steps of State Capitol in Baton Rouge. The Tea Party of Louisiana has endorsed Judge Jeff Hughes for Supreme Court. GOP, Conservative Leaders, Newspapers for Hughes Key Endorsements for Judge Hughes For Associate Justice, Supreme Court BATON ROUGE — Since lead- ing the Nov. 6 primary, Judge Jeff Hughes has received a number of endorsements from community newspapers, elected officials, Re- publican Party organizations, and conservative groups. Among Hughes’ supporters are: • Gov. Bobby Jindal • Livingston Parish president Layton Ricks • Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard • Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley • Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor • State Sen. Dale Erdey • State Sen. Bodi White • State Rep. Valarie Hodges • State Rep. Sherman Mack • State Rep. J. Rogers Pope • State Rep. Clay Schexnayder Gov. Bobby Jindal Republican Party Tea Party of Louisiana • East Baton Rouge Mayor Pro- Endorses Endorses Endorses Tem Mike Walker • City of Central Mayor Mac Judge Jeff Hughes Judge Jeff Hughes Judge Jeff Hughes Watts • Ascension Parish School Board member A. J. Nickens • Denham Springs Marshal Republicans Unite Behind Hughes Jerry Denton from the election were as follows: • Livingston Parish News Continued from Page 1 ceived 143,107 voters, or 42.2 per- Livingston Parish Republican Party Louisiana Supreme Court 5th cent, while the five Republicans • Capital City News — Hughes, Welch, Higginbotham, • Central City News has added its voice to party support Supreme Court District for Judge Hughes, who has 22 years John Guidry (D)* 93,117 Morvant, and Kelley — received • Tea Party of Louisiana 192,605, or 56.8 percent. The in- • Louisiana Republican Party on the bench. Jeff Hughes (R)* 71,910 Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal Mary Pierson (D) 49,990 dependent candidate, Jerry Sanford, • Republican Party of East Ba- Duke Welch (R) 37,520 received 3,256 votes, or 1 percent. ton Rouge Parish has also endorsed Judge Hughes for the Louisiana Supreme Court. Toni Higginbotham (R) 36,663 Theoretically, if the Republi- • Republican Party of Livings- Hughes’ election would create a 4-3 Bill Morvant (R) 36,117 can voters do in fact unite behind ton Parish Republican majority on the court Tim Kelley (R) 10,395 Hughes, he should have an easy • Former Supreme Court can- and represent a tilt away from the Jerry Sanford (N) 3,256 victory. But that theory leaves open didate Jeffry Sanford, an indepen- liberalism which has dominated the The two Democrats — Guidry the question of whose voters will dent in Nov. 6 primary. court since the 1970’s. The results and Mary Olive Pierson —­ re- actually be motivated to go vote. Livingston Parish News Endorses Judge Jeff Hughes The conservatives have made their court. To see that happen, we simply two decades, and before that he prac- He has distinguished himself intel- choice. Now the majority merely need need to show up and vote one more ticed law for 12 years. He has presided lectually since his days at Denham to follow up the results of the Nov. 6 time. Don’t forget about it. With the over civil and criminal trials, dealt Springs High School, where he was primary by going to the polls Dec. 8 Supreme Court race the only one on with juries and lawyers and wrestled Salutatorian and a National Merit Fi- to vote for Jeff Hughes in the runoff the ballot except for a Board of Alder- with the issues of fairness and impar- nalist. He was a top student at LSU for the District 5 seat on the State Su- men runoff in Walker, turnout may tiality that will give him invaluable in- Law School, where he made Law Re- preme Court. be one third or less of what it was the sight on the state’s highest court. He view. No other candidate in this race Hughes was the top vote getter first Tuesday of November. Every vote is a fiscal and social conservative with has had qualifications even approach- among five Republicans on the Nov. 6 matters. a pro-life, pro-gun, and pro traditional ing his. ballot that together garnered nearly 57 Once again we enthusiastically en- marriage philosophy. That comes from He is prepared to use this back- percent of the vote. His runoff oppo- dorse our Livingston Parish candidate growing up in our community, where ground and experience on a high court nent, John Michael Guidry, prevailed for the job. Hughes, like Guidry, cur- he was a star basketball player in high that is now divided evenly between between the two Democrats in the rently serves on the First Circuit Court school and remains an avid lover of conservatives and liberals. He will field that took only 42 percent. of Appeal. Unlike Guidry, who came the outdoors, hunting and fishing. make sound, fair, impartial and inde- Voters from this district clearly de- to the bench from the state Legislature, Now we have a rare opportunity to pendent decisions if we do the one sire a conservative Republican who Hughes has been a judge at both the send the high court a man from our thing required to make that happen. will reflect their views on the high district and appellate court level for area well prepared to handle the job. We must remember to vote. Baton Rouge Democrats in Disarray, Sue One Another, Endorse Guidry BATON ROUGE — The East Baton members of the PEC were properly Donald Hodge, Jr., sued the commit- of state law. Rouge Democratic Parish Executive sworn in. On gay marriage, the Demo- tee, alleging that the committee tried to • A member failed to take the oath Committee is mired in controversy — cratic committee strongly supports gay bully him for supporting gay marriage. of office in a timely manner. with members of the committee suing marriage. Meanwhile, the Democratic He also alleged that According to the Advocate, another one another. According to a report in PEC did agree to endorse Judge John • The Democratic PEC violated committee member, Charlotte McGe- the Baton Rouge Advocate, the com- Michael Guidry for the Louisiana Su- the open meetings law. hee, said Hodge libeled her by alleging mittee is divided over the issues of gay preme Court. • The committee purchased cam- that she did not support gay marriage. marriage, open meetings, and whether Democratic committee member paign cards for candidates in violation 8 LOUISIANA JUDICIAL REPORT December 2012

HUGHES FAMILY — (Left to right, 1st row) Raine Favre and Ellie Hughes, nieces. (2nd row) sister Barbara Favre, dad J.D., mom Betty, sister-in-law Anne and brother Paul Hughes, Millionaires vs. Family Means Everything to Billionaires... Appellate Judge Jeff Hughes Continued from Page 2 ing in a great community. These are teachers and great coaches, such as all things that are still worth fight- The Supreme Court race Dec. 8 has tak- Alton Leggett, Louis Carlisle, and ing for and defending. When I talk en on a life of its own — with powerful Boysie Degeneres, who made a about the right to life, the right to forces lining up for Hughes or Guidry — lasting impression on his life. keep and bear arms, the value of tra- “Looking back on what it was ditional marriage, the right to own seemingly for no logical reason. like to grow up in Denham Springs, and control private property, I’m I see all the great values that our really talking about all the things The biggest driving force behind most of parents, teachers, and coaches in- have been so important to my fam- stilled in us — love of God and ily throughout my life. These are the TV ad spending is the “legacy law- country, the importance of home the things our community stands for suit” issue. Some landowners (who’ve and family, and the blessing of liv- and that America is built upon.” made millions from oil production on their land) want to sue some of the ma- jor oil companies (who’ve made billions New Chief Justice Known as drilling oil on the same land), claiming those oil companies damaged their land. Liberal Democrat from NOLA They want more money for cleanup. Continued from Page 1 The oil companies got the legislature member of the Supreme Court only to pass legislation prohibiting so-called since 2000. Justice Jeff Victory has served as an elected member “legacy lawsuits.” Now the major oil of the Supreme Court since 1996 companies (billionaires) are supporting a and felt he was the oldest in point of service under the state constitu- moderate Democrat (Guidry) and land- tion. owners (millionaires) are supporting the Johnson was appointed as a tem- conservative Republican (Hughes). porary eighth member of the court as a result of a federal court order. The court reverted to seven mem- Here’s the irony: Neither Hughes nor bers in 2000, when she was elected Guidry has ever handled a legacy law- to the court. suit case, and neither has expressed his The Chief Justice is the head of the Judicial branch of state govern- views on the topic. No one knows for ment and has far-reaching power. sure if the issue will ever get to the Su- Louisiana Supreme Court preme Court, what the case would look like, or how either candidate would rule. A Service to His Community Here’s what Judge Hughes said about WEDDINGS. the controversy: “As a judge, my job is Over the years, Judge Jeff not to favor or reward any group but to Hughes has apply the Constitution and laws to the performed hun- facts of each case. That’s what I will al- dreds of wed- ways try to do in every controversy.” dings. It’s not an obligation of his office but it Here’s some advice: Ignore the big mon- is something he ey being spent on TV and think about treasures do- the issues that actually affect you and ing because it your family. If you’re pro-life, pro-gun, is such a joyous occasion. and pro-traditional marriage, then Last week, he performed a wedding cere- mony for friends Philip and Ali- Vote Jeff Hughes sha Gabourey at Greystone Louisiana Supreme Court Country Club in Denham Paid for by Jeff Hughes Campaign for Louisiana Supreme Court Springs.