The Ballot Brief
Lafayette Parish, Louisiana

15th Judicial District Court, Division M

Schnaars and Theall are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Lafayette Parish election filings.

About this race

Challenger Dyan Schnaars is running against sitting Division M judge and 15th JDC Chief Judge Susan Theall, per the Acadiana Advocate's Nov. 3 ballot rundown. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

What this office does

Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Louisiana › Lafayette Parish › 15th Judicial District Court, Division M

Dyan Schnaars

Dyan Schnaars

Republican

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Keep families and children at the heart of every Family Court decision
  • Treat everyone who comes before the court with fairness, integrity and respect
  • Timely trials and an efficient courtroom that keeps cases moving
Biography

Dyan Schnaars is a Lafayette family law attorney who has practiced family law for more than a decade and is the managing attorney and owner of Schnaars Law Firm, LLC, per her campaign site and her firm's website. She earned her business degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and her law degree from Southern University Law Center, is admitted to practice in all Louisiana state courts, served as president of the Lafayette Parish Bar Association's family law section in 2021, and serves on the board of Faith House, per the campaign site. She is challenging the sitting judge for the 15th Judicial District Court, Division M.

Susan Theall

Susan Theall

Republican

Biography

Susan Theall is the sitting Division M district judge on the 15th Judicial District Court, first elected in 2020 after an earlier term from 2011 to 2014 that included service as Chief Judge, per the court's own website. She is a certified Family Law Specialist and a former chair of the Louisiana State Bar Association's Family Law Section.

Next on your ballotDistrict Attorney, 15th Judicial District

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Questions about this race

Who is running for 15th Judicial District Court, Division M in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for 15th Judicial District Court, Division M on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Dyan Schnaars and Susan Theall. Candidate information follows official Lafayette Parish election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the 15th Judicial District Court, Division M election in Louisiana?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Louisiana are on the Louisiana election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Lafayette Parish ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Lafayette Parish and state election office filings, last verified October 24, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Louisiana election office, or see the full Lafayette Parish sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Lafayette Parish ballot

17 tracked races in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Lafayette City Court Judge, Division BLafayette Parish School Board, District 2Carencro MayorSee all 17 Lafayette Parish races
Candidate profiles
Dyan Schnaars, full profileSusan Theall, full profileOfficial Louisiana election office