Louisiana Republicans eliminate elected office won by Democratic exoneree
Louisiana Republicans eliminated the elected position of clerk of criminal court in New Orleans shortly before Calvin Duncan, a Democratic exoneree, was set to take office. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order allowing Duncan to assume the role, ruling the law abolishing the position unconstitutional. The move has sparked debate over government efficiency versus voter rights, with Democrats accusing Republicans of targeting a Black-led city's electoral choice.
- ▪Calvin Duncan, who spent nearly 30 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, won the clerk of criminal court election in New Orleans with over two-thirds of the vote.
- ▪Governor Jeff Landry signed legislation eliminating the criminal court clerk position, which a federal judge later blocked temporarily on constitutional grounds.
- ▪Republicans argue the consolidation of court clerk offices improves efficiency and saves money, while Democrats call it government overreach infringing on local voting rights.
- ▪The office elimination would save the state $27,000 and the city $233,000, though long-term costs are unknown, and $1.17 million in state funds would shift to the parish.
- ▪Calvin Duncan is listed on the National Registry of Exonerations, and his supporters claim he is being targeted by powerful state Republicans despite his exoneration.
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Calvin Duncan is swarmed by supporters and members of the media as he makes his way to the podium for his swearing-in as the new clerk of court for Orleans Parish on 21 April 2026 in New Orleans. Photograph: Chris Granger/The Times Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via APView image in fullscreenCalvin Duncan is swarmed by supporters and members of the media as he makes his way to the podium for his swearing-in as the new clerk of court for Orleans Parish on 21 April 2026 in New Orleans.
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