East Baton Rouge family court judge race draws two candidates

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Two candidates are running for the open Section 3, Division A family court judge seat in East Baton Rouge Parish in the May 16 election.

Democratic candidate Caulette Jackson-Guillard runs the Jackson and Jackson Law Firm in Baton Rouge with her twin sister. The Gardere native said her family faced challenges after her parents divorced when she was 10 years old, an experience that pushed her toward family law.

“I believe that we should straighten families. I believe that we should put children and families first, as well as justice with compassion,” Jackson-Guillard said. “I am a wife, mother, and grandmother, and my life experiences have given me a strong understanding of the importance of family values.”

Jackson-Guillard said voters should look past labels when they head to the polls.

“We have to get it right because our children and our families deserve it. I believe that we can’t allow party lines, we can’t allow racial lines, we can’t allow any of this to deter us from making the right decision,” she said.

Republican candidate Joseph Cataldie grew up in Old Goodwood. He worked inside family court as a judicial clerk and staff attorney and now practices family law at the Prendergast Law Firm, where he has been for more than 15 years.

“My experience has shown me how much the courtroom affects people’s lives, especially families who are hurting or in conflict,” Cataldie said.

Cataldie said he co-parents his daughter amicably with her mother and wants to bring that same approach to the bench. If elected, he said he will focus on fairness, protecting children, and making the court more transparent and accessible.

“I intend to run a family court that doesn’t just process cases, but rather addresses each matter individually in order to help families heal, find stability, and move forward,” Cataldie said.

Early voting starts Saturday, May 2.

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