Peep Goat's sources are now indicating that U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu has narrowed her focus on the federal judgeship to replace Tucker Melancon. Peep says the field appears to have shrunk to 15th JDC Judge Jules Edwards (Lafayette), 16th JDC Judge Lori Landry (New Iberia and St. Martinville), 27th JDC Judge Alonzo Harris (Opelousas), Third Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Gene Thibodeaux (Lake Charles), and as of late, Louisiana State Bar Association President Beth Foote of Alexandria. It appears that Landrieu is not considering any other candidates.
Foote is the only white candidate of the names mentioned. A recent development, according to Peep's insiders familiar with the federal court, is that the judges of the district will vote on whether to relocate that seat from Lafayette to Lake Charles (though the ultimate decision rests with the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals).
Chief Judge Dickie Haik has been evasive, only confirming that a “discussion” will take place (though he's not saying when), noting there are ongoing “discussions about how to better the [case] distribution as a whole.”
Peep's sources are betting on the move: goodbye La Fonda, hello L’Auberge du Lac.
It's too soon to tell whether such a relocation would disrupt the current pool of potential applicants.