Marcelle Takes First-Place Finish Into December Runoff as Justice of the Peace Race Enters New Era

BATON ROUGE, La. — A career spanning the Louisiana Legislature, local government and more than three decades in the legal profession is now at the center of C. Denise Marcelle's bid for a seat on the East Baton Rouge Parish Justice of the Peace Court.

Marcelle finished first among five candidates in the Nov. 3 election for Justice of the Peace, District 4, earning 15,258 votes, or 46.2%. She will face Taneshia Flowers in a Dec. 12 runoff after Flowers received 11,212 votes, or 34%.

The remaining candidates were Antonia Caine, with 3,029 votes (9.2%); Lee A. Cosey, with 2,155 (6.5%); and Carla Fowler, with 1,338 (4.1%). All 97 precincts reported.

The contest is particularly significant because East Baton Rouge Parish's justice of the peace system is undergoing changes following the passage of Act 950 during the 2026 Louisiana legislative session.

The legislation established revised territorial boundaries for the parish's six justice of the peace districts and expanded the courts' authority over certain eviction proceedings. Under the new law, East Baton Rouge justices of the peace share jurisdiction with city courts over qualifying residential and commercial eviction cases involving monthly rent of $5,000 or less.

The changes place additional attention on the responsibilities of the office, particularly in matters involving housing, rental disputes and access to civil justice.

A Career Built Around Public Service

Marcelle brings an extensive background in government and legal services to the race. A graduate of Capital High School, she earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Southern University and A&M College.

She was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2015, representing District 61. Her legislative assignments have included the House Appropriations Committee, House and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs Committee. She also served as vice chair of the House Select Committee on Women and Children.

Before her legislative career, Marcelle served on the East Baton Rouge Metro Council, representing District 7, and held leadership responsibilities with the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging, including serving as board chair.

Her professional background includes more than 30 years of paralegal experience, service as a licensed notary public, and previous work with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office and the Baton Rouge City Constable's Office.

Making the Court More Accessible

Marcelle's campaign is organized around the V.O.I.C.E. platform: visible and accessible leadership, open and fair justice, integrity, community-centered service and efficient solutions.

Her priorities include fair treatment in landlord-tenant disputes, accessible small-claims proceedings, timely court schedules, transparent court costs and clearer information about court procedures.

She has also identified community outreach and plain-language explanations of legal processes as important components of her proposed approach to the office.

Justice of the Peace courts handle certain civil matters, including small claims and eviction proceedings, making them an important point of access for residents who may not otherwise have regular contact with the judicial system.

The position requires impartial decisions based on the law and facts, regardless of the parties involved.

A Runoff With an Unusual Election Connection

Flowers brings her own election history into the December contest. She also won a separate special election for Justice of the Peace, Ward 2, District 3, on Nov. 3, receiving 5,791 votes, or 63%.

That special election filled an unexpired term under the previous district map, while the District 4 contest was conducted under the revised boundaries established by the 2026 legislation. Flowers' special-election service is scheduled to extend only through December.

The two candidates will now compete for the District 4 position in the Dec. 12 runoff.

For Marcelle, the race represents another opportunity to extend a career in public service into a judicial role. Her legal experience, legislative background, and previous local government service are central elements of her candidacy as East Baton Rouge Parish prepares to implement its revised justice of the peace system.