Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Judge, Civil District Court, Division L

McKenna and Newell are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Orleans Parish election filings.

About this race

Two Democrats qualified for this open seat on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Warren McKenna III and Candace N. Newell; voters choose one, per the Louisiana Secretary of State's certified candidate list for Orleans Parish. The seat opens with the retirement of Judge Kern Reese, per Big Easy Magazine.

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 › Orleans Parish › Judge, Civil District Court, Division L

Warren McKenna III

Democratic

Top priorities

From the campaign site

Civil litigation and real estate law experience, including work helping displaced families access post-Katrina Road Home Grants
Community legal service through leadership roles with Southeastern Legal Services and the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society

Biography

McKenna has spent 30 years serving New Orleans as a judge pro tempore and prosecutor for New Orleans Municipal Court, an attorney handling complex civil litigation at Christovich & Kearney, and an assistant city attorney for the City of New Orleans, per the campaign site. He founded The McKenna Firm, LLC, practicing civil litigation, real estate, contracts, and federal criminal defense, per the campaign site. He holds a law degree from Southern University Law Center and has served as president of Southeastern Legal Services, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Candace N. Newell

Democratic

Top priorities

From the campaign site

Bringing legal experience from practicing law to the bench
Judging fairly and impartially with integrity
A record of public service to the community

Biography

Newell currently serves as Of Counsel at Daly & Black, P.C. and represents Louisiana House District 99 in the state legislature, per her campaign website. She previously worked as a teacher before becoming a practicing attorney, per the same source.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotJudge, Civil District Court, Division M

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Judge, Civil District Court, Division L in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Judge, Civil District Court, Division L on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Warren McKenna III and Candace N. Newell. Candidate information follows official Orleans Parish election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Judge, Civil District Court, Division L 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 Orleans 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 Orleans 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 Orleans Parish sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Orleans Parish ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Judge, Civil District Court, Domestic Section 1 Judge, Criminal District Court, Section D Judge, Criminal District Court, Section H See all 7 Orleans Parish races

Candidate profiles

Warren McKenna III, full profile Candace N. Newell, full profile Official Louisiana election office