Two candidates are vying to be the next district attorney for the 15th Judicial District Court.
Danny Landry and Don Landry are seeking the seat currently held by Keith Stutes who announced his retirement. The 15th JDC covers Lafayette, Vermilion and Acadia Parishes.
Danny and Don are not related, but the two have served decades in the district attorney's office. The two men are running as republicans.
Question: Why are you running for District Attorney?
Don Landry: It's always been a lifelong passion of mine. I've always wanted to be District Attorney and I've worked for some wonderful men who were district attorney. I was in the office for 34 years and I've always wanted to be District Attorney, but I certainly would not run against my boss. I learned a lot from them and now is my chance to run for that office.
Danny Landry: I'm running for District Attorney because this is a calling for me. It's a passion and one of the few governmental jobs that you can really make an impact on people's lives. People don't normally deal with the DA's Office and when they do it's because they're the victim of a crime or themselves or a family member has done something wrong. It gives you an opportunity to protect people and help people at the same time.
Question: If you are elected, what do you hope to accomplish?
Don Landry: One of the big things I would like to accomplish is I want to unclog our dockets. Our dockets are clogged with criminal cases. There's not enough prosecution. In the last six years, we have failed to prosecute the serious murder cases, attempted murder cases, armed robberies, rapes...those are not being prosecuted. You have to find a way to move those cases forward. We have to bring relief to our victims and our witnesses need closure. They need to know someone will pay for the crime that was committed.
Danny Landry: We have a backlog of cases. I'm suggesting super dockets where the judges give us dedicated times. We did that in the 90's and it was very effective. We're going to have to go to the legislature to see if we can get additional funding for more assistants. I would immediately reach out to the judges to see if we can get some additional dockets. I really want to push this pre-trial program.
Don Landry high points:
- BA UL JD Southern
- Partner in firm of Perrin, Landry, and deLaunay
- Current City Attorney for Broussard, >20 years
- Former: City attorney for Erath
- Former: Assistant District Attorney 1980-2014 (34 years)
- U.S. Marine Corps 1966-1972
- Active in: UL Alumni Association and local Mardi Gras
Platform planks:
- Start immediately to make the district a safer place for families
- Address the drug problem we have by working with LEOs to prosecute dealers
- Cooperate with the police, religious leaders and elected officials
- Office will always be open
- Reach out to victims and hold their hands through the process
Click here for Don Landry's full pitch.
Danny Landry high points:
- BA and JD from LSU
- Felony Assistant District Attorney, >35 years
- Currently First Assistant District Attorney
- Partner in family firm with his son, also an attorney Represents Fraternal Order of Police >30 years
Platform planks:
- Public service
- Implemented streamlined budget process for DA’s office
- Implemented new case management system for DA’s office
- Believes criminal justice system should be accountable to public
- Involved in youth sports; believes supporting youth prevents later crime
Click here for Danny Landry's full pitch.
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