Louisiana Senate Republicans swiftly moved to erase an elected office won by 68% of New Orleans voters, raising alarms about overriding the will of the people in a targeted partisan play.
Duncan’s Path from Prison to Elected Victory
Calvin Duncan endured wrongful conviction in the 1990s for a murder case marred by investigative flaws, including a detective later convicted of illegal wiretapping. Prosecutors vacated his 2011 manslaughter plea in 2021 under new state law after withheld innocence evidence surfaced. Orleans Parish DA Jason Williams dropped all charges, listing Duncan on the National Registry of Exonerations. Post-release, Duncan earned college and law degrees. He ran for criminal court clerk, defeating incumbent Darren Lombard with 68% in November 2025, promising records reform from personal bureaucratic battles.
GOP Bill Targets Clerk Position for Elimination
Sen. Jay Morris, R-north Louisiana, authored Senate Bill eliminating the Orleans Parish criminal court clerk office. Republicans passed it April 8, 2026, rejecting an amendment to let Duncan serve his term. The measure shifts duties to the civil clerk, saving $27,300 yearly in salary and operations. Proponents emphasize efficiency in overloaded Democratic New Orleans courts. Gov. Jeff Landry backs immediate effect post-signature, preventing Duncan’s May 4 start. This fits GOP supermajority pushes to consolidate judiciary in the blue stronghold.
Partisan Clash and Accusations of Retaliation
During Duncan’s campaign, AG Liz Murrill and Lombard threatened charges over his “exonerated” claims, despite registry validation. Duncan accused officials of retaliation for challenging records stonewalling in his case. Sen. Royce Duplessis, D-New Orleans, labeled the bill “barbaric” and “deeply troubling,” arguing it disenfranchises Black-majority voters who chose Duncan overwhelmingly. Murrill denies bill involvement. Republicans frame it as impersonal streamlining, amid efforts targeting 11 local judges and Voting Rights Act challenges.
The targeted timing isolates Duncan without term transition, unlike others, fueling claims of overriding local democracy. Broader context shows GOP legislature overriding New Orleans’ Democratic electorate for statewide efficiency.
Louisiana GOP tries to eliminate an elected office won by an exonerated man https://t.co/eW9f8auG1B
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) April 10, 2026
Impacts on Voters, Justice Reform, and Local Control
Short-term, New Orleans criminal court users risk records delays from civil clerk overload, despite hiring suggestions. Long-term, the precedent erodes elected local autonomy, potentially chilling reform candidates like Duncan. Politically, it advances Republican control over Democratic hubs, saving minor costs but risking inefficiency and trust in justice system. Exoneration advocates see undermined reform momentum. As of April 10, 2026, the bill awaits House passage and Landry’s signature.
Sources:
Louisiana GOP races to eliminate an elected office won by an exonerated man
Louisiana Senate rejects amendment to let newly elected clerk Calvin Duncan serve his term
An Exonerated Louisiana Man Just Won a Big Election – Esquire