Judge “Jeff” Cox was given the seat on the Court of Appeal- Second Circuit, Second District, Division C by voters Tuesday night.
The result removes incumbent and opponent Judge Jay Caraway from the position after a campaign season where both judges were found to be guilty of violating the Judicial Code of Conduct.
“I feel like we ran a good campaign and we are having a good night,” Cox said after learning of his election to the seat. “I’m thankful to God, the voters, and to Judge Caraway for his 20 years of service. I sincerely wish him the best.”
Cox took Webster Parish with 10,466 votes or 71 percent compared to 4,289 votes for Calloway or 29 percent.
The district as whole gave Cox 58,874 votes or 57 percent, while Calloway received 44,604 votes or 43 percent.
Findings issued by the Louisiana Judicial Campaign Oversight Committee found Caraway and Cox both violated a rule, which states a judge or judicial candidate shall not “knowingly make, or cause to be made, a false statement concerning the identity, qualifications, present position, or other fact concerning the candidate or an opponent.”
The oversight committee has no enforcement of disciplinary power, but released its findings to the public a week before the election.