Two candidates vying to fill a vacancy on the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal, Vanessa Anseman and Susan Theall, will debate before a panel of journalists Tuesday afternoon on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus.
The debate, which is open to the public, will begin at 2 p.m. in the Constantine Forum Room of the Student Union. The Acadiana Press Club, UL Lafayette chapter of Society of Professional Journalists and Louisiana professional chapter of SPJ are co-sponsoring the debate.
The third candidate in the race, Candyce Perret, declined the invitation. All three women are Republicans. The election is Saturday, March 25.
The winner will fill the remaining eight years of the 10-year term of Jimmy Genovese, who was elected to the Louisiana Supreme Court in November.
The panel will consist of Kailey Broussard for The Vermilion, Leah Cavalier for The Advocate, Lanie Lee Cook for KATC-TV, Danielle Grossman for KLAF-TV, Dwayne Fatherree for The Daily Iberian, Shaun Hearen for Louisiana State Newspapers, Rob Macko for KLFY-TV and Claire Taylor for The Daily Advertiser. The moderator will be Ian Auzenne, vice president of the Press Club.
The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal encompasses 21 parishes and is based in Lake Charles. This election is for District 3 of the 3rd Circuit, which covers Acadia, Allen, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin and Vermilion parishes.
Photo: Vanessa Anseman, Susan Theall