Ringside Politics With A Punch

In the span of two days this week, two candidates for Orleans Parish Traffic Court announced their candidacy. Lawyers Mark Shea and Joe Landry, both Lakeview residents, jumped in to the race to succeed Judge Paul Bonin, who vacated the position after being elected to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeal. Shea is a member of a very well known and popular political family. He is the son of retiring Municipal Court Judge John Shea and the brother of former New Orleans Councilman and School Board member Scott Shea. Landry is also well connected in the political community and has spent nine years as the Assistant City Attorney in New Orleans, prosecuting cases in both Traffic and Municipal courts. Expect at least one prominent African American candidate to challenge Shea and Landry, both white Democrats. State Representative Charmaine Marchand (D-New Orleans) and attorney Tracey Flemings-Davillier are looking at the race. The election will take place on April 4, with a run-off, if necessary, on May 2. The winner will finish the remaining six years of Bonin's unexpired term.