Longtime family court judge Phyllis Keaty easily defeated Lafayette attorney Steven "Buzz" Durio in the race for the Third Circuit Court of Appeal, 59 percent to 41 percent.
With 79 of 79 precincts reporting, Keaty earned 22,513 votes to Durio's 15,643. Keaty, reached at her campaign party moments after the final precinct results came in, said she was excited about her next opportunity and what the victory said about her years of public service.
"Twelve years ago when I ran I had never practiced law so it was a negative. I wanted to be a judge since I went to law school and working as a law clerk, that was a way of (learning the craft)," Keaty told The Rom Report.
She said her victory showed that her opponent's argument that she had no experience did not wash with voters. "I think in this campaign working in the judiciary wasn't given the respect it deserved and maybe from now on it will be. I have had many wonderful law clerks that I couldn't have done my job without. It's certainly a profession within the profession, and a good way to learn the law" she added.
Phone calls to Durio and his campaign staff were not immediately returned. A special election will be called to replace Judge Keaty in the 15th Judicial District family court.
In other Lafayette Parish races, incumbent U.S. Senator David Vitter dominated opponent Charlie Melancon, a Democrat, and several lesser challengers to retain his Senate seat with 57% of the vote to Melancon's 37%.
Lafayette's Mike Spears, who ran as an Independent, earned 1 percent of the vote.
In the only other local race, one-time school board member Kermit Bouillon defeated challenger Dean Landry for an open seat in District 5, by a 54 to 46 margin.
Additional 2010 Midterm Election results below.
U.S. SENATE
David Vitter (R) 41,666 65%Charlie Melancon (D) 18,768 29%
Mike Spears (NP ) 1,257 2%
121 of 121 precincts reporting
Lt. GOVERNOR
Jay Dardenne (R) 40,189 63%
Caroline Fayard (D) 23,336 37%
121 of 121 precincts reporting
THIRD CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL
Phyllis Keaty (R) 22,513 59%
Steven "Buzz" Durio (R) 15,643 41%
79 of 79 precincts reporting
LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Kermit Bouilion (R) 3,636 54%
Dean Landry (NP) 3,088 46%
11 of 11 precincts reporting
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