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Judice, Thomas speak on plans to move City Marshal office forward

Posted at 10:24 PM, Nov 04, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-04 23:57:53-05

The campaign continues for some candidates in Acadiana.

The race for Lafayette City Marshal is heading to a runoff. On the ballot - Duson Police Chief Kip Judice and former Lafayette interim Police Chief Reggie Thomas.

Both candidates hoping to replace former City Marshal Brian Pope are speaking on how they can move the office forward from scandal. Pope was booked into jail Wednesday to begin serving a one year sentence for malfeasance in office charges.

"He's been found guilty and reported, so allow that process to work," said Judice.

Thomas said he's "the type of person that allows the law to dictate what we're going to do or what will happen."

Both Judice and Thomas say they have a plan in place to better the city marshal's office following the scandal involving Pope.

"Once I take over as the next city marshal, then it will be transparent. We will start talking to the community, we will be out in the community, just as I did at the Lafayette Police Department, I started the communications community, I will do the same here," explained Thomas.

"When I become marshal, we will have an open checkbook, which means we will have an online accounting system," said Judice. "You won't have to make a public records request to see where the public expenditures go. You can simply get online and you'll see deposits and expenditures."

They're both hoping to make their case to voters in the month ahead.

"I'm the candidate that has done each of the tasks the marshal is responsible to do. Serve subpoenas, I've done that," Judice added.

"I understand what the city marshal does," Thomas explained. "Because we work next to them. Every case the city marshal has, it's through the Lafayette Police Department.

KATC reached out to the two candidates eliminated on Tuesday night, Nathan Broussard and John Trahan, and both said they will not be making an endorsement.

The runoff election will be held on December 5.

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