J. Reed Walters
Encyclopedia
John Reed Walters is a politician and an attorney from Louisiana
.
and Louisiana State University
in Baton Rouge. He was admitted to the Bar in 1981.
in LaSalle Parish. He was elected to a six-year term against Dan B. Cornett, another Democrat, and took office in early 1991.
Walters won re-election in 1996 and in 2002, against Democratic challenger Lloyd E. Hennigan. He is currently serving his fourth term, which he won uncontested in 2009.
The controversy surrounding prosecution of the Jena Six
prompted protesters from across the country to demonstrate in Jena on September 20, 2007.
Walters's actions in prosecuting this case were upheld after a thorough investigation prompted by the allegations of Jena Six supporters. Walters was later lauded for the integrity and the professionalism shown by him and the LaSalle Parish District Attorney's Office during the investigation and public scrutiny.
Walters is famously known for writing an op-ed
article, where he defended his position, in the New York Times newspaper.
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, October 6, 1990
District Attorney, 28th Judicial District, 1996
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, September 21, 1996
District Attorney, 28th Judicial District, 2002
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, October 5, 2002
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
.
Background
He attended Northeast Louisiana University in MonroeMonroe, Louisiana
Monroe is a city in and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,107, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana. A July 1, 2007, United States Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 51,208, but 51,636...
and Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in Baton Rouge. He was admitted to the Bar in 1981.
Political career
In October 1990, he ran as a Democrat for District Attorney of Louisiana's 28th Judicial District, which includes the town of JenaJena, Louisiana
Jena is a town in and the parish seat of La Salle Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 2,971 at the 2000 census.In September 2006, Jena became the focus of national news stories in the United States for a racial controversy involving its school system and a group of students known...
in LaSalle Parish. He was elected to a six-year term against Dan B. Cornett, another Democrat, and took office in early 1991.
Walters won re-election in 1996 and in 2002, against Democratic challenger Lloyd E. Hennigan. He is currently serving his fourth term, which he won uncontested in 2009.
Jena Six
In 2007, Walters was thrust into the spotlight after six black students beat a white student unconscious at Jena High School.The controversy surrounding prosecution of the Jena Six
Jena Six
The Jena Six were six black teenagers convicted in the beating of Justin Barker, a white student at Jena High School in Jena, Louisiana, on December 4, 2006. Barker was injured in the assault by the members of the Jena Six, and received treatment for his injuries at an emergency room...
prompted protesters from across the country to demonstrate in Jena on September 20, 2007.
Walters's actions in prosecuting this case were upheld after a thorough investigation prompted by the allegations of Jena Six supporters. Walters was later lauded for the integrity and the professionalism shown by him and the LaSalle Parish District Attorney's Office during the investigation and public scrutiny.
Walters is famously known for writing an op-ed
Op-ed
An op-ed, abbreviated from opposite the editorial page , is a newspaper article that expresses the opinions of a named writer who is usually unaffiliated with the newspaper's editorial board...
article, where he defended his position, in the New York Times newspaper.
Electoral history
District Attorney, 28th Judicial District, 1990Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, October 6, 1990
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Reed Walters | Democratic | 3,212 (52%) | Elected |
| Dan B. Cornett | Democratic | 3,018 (48%) | Defeated |
District Attorney, 28th Judicial District, 1996
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, September 21, 1996
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Reed Walters | Democratic | 2,667 (51%) | Elected |
| Lloyd Hennigan, Jr. | Democratic | 2,545 (49%) | Defeated |
District Attorney, 28th Judicial District, 2002
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, October 5, 2002
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Reed Walters | Democratic | 2,817 (56%) | Elected |
| Lloyd Hennigan, Jr. | Democratic | 2,169 (44%) | Defeated |