Arbour, Spencer in Runoff for Justice of the Peace

BATON ROUGE — South Baton Rouge will go to the polls on Saturday, Nov. 16 to choose a new Justice of the Peace for the area.
The Nov. 16 election will be a runoff between Jerry Arbour and Larry Spencer, both Republicans, who are seeking to fill the unexpired term of Ms. Melva Cavanaugh, who passed away in March.  Gov. Jindal called the special election.
In the primary election, held on Oct. 19, Spencer and Arbour led the field of candidates.
Spencer had 616 votes, or 33 percent, to Arbour’s 614 votes, also 33 percent.  Other candidates were Kenesha Antoine, 328 votes, or 18 percent; Steve Myers, 102 votes, or 6 percent; Mark G. Simmons, 93 votes, or 5 percent, and Mariano Hinojosa, 90 votes, or 5 percent.
The turnout for the first primary was very low, and the turnout in the runoff election is expected to be even lower.
Justice of the Peace has special significance in this election.  The district is located outside the city limits of Baton Rouge in the proposed City of St. George.  Civil cases in the area are normally tried in District Court, rather than Baton Rouge City Court.  Recent increases in the filing fees for District Court have raised them to over $500.  The justice of the peace court provides a reasonably priced and more expeditious way to deal with money disputes under $5,000.
Arbour is an attorney and member of the East Baton Rouge School Board.  He believes his experience as an attorney prepare for this judicial position. He has been endorsed by the Republican Party of East Baton Rouge.
Spencer said he was grateful to all the friends and family who helped in the primary.  He said he believes his work experience will serve him well in this position.  Spencer has been endorsed by the Baton Rouge Business Report.
Early voting ends Saturday.