Guidry, judge hopeful, says key to job is understanding
Published 3:16 pm Monday, October 5, 2015
- Eddie Guidry
ST. MARTINVILLE — Candidate Edmond “Eddie” Guidry said his compassion and understanding approach to people qualify him to become the 16th Judicial District Judge.
“What’s important in being a judge is to appeal to understand people,” Guidry said.
Guidry is one of three people running for district judge, including Nick LaRocca of Morgan City and Lewis Pitman of Loreauville.
“It’s not just about putting people in jail and deciding cases based on facts and law but understanding people and having compassion for people.”
Born and raised in St. Martinville, Guidry, 59, has been practicing law for 34 years in both state and federal court since graduating with a juris doctorate at Louisiana State University law school. He has 11 years of judicial experience.
Guidry was a registered Democrat since 1974, the year he graduated from Catholic High School, but changed party affiliation this year to run, he said.
“I’ve been a registered Democrat all my life until recently. I changed to Republican. I never ran for office before 2015. I didn’t change any ideals. I really was a Republican but never changed (parties) from the time I was registered to vote,” he said.
Following graduation from CHS, Guidry graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s in business administration law in 1978 prior to law school. He said his hobbies and jobs during his education provided him with the necessary interpersonal skills to judge.
“In law school I was a sheriff’s deputy and worked in the jail as a road deputy,” he said. “I transported prisoners. I worked as an investigator while I was in law school. I’ve done everything a sheriff’s deputy does.
“I raise horses. I’m a cowboy. I’ve been riding horses all my life, and I bale my own hay. I’m a hunter and fisherman. I’m an NRA member. All those things teach you to associate with ordinary people. That’s what it takes to be a judge.”
Guidry is divorced and has one son, Edmond Louis Guidry IV, with his previous wife. He has a partner of nine years, Laura Putnam.
Early voting begins Saturday. Election Day is Oct. 24.
