Hey John,

This November, the city of New Orleans has a unique opportunity to FLIP the bench and TRANSFORM its criminal justice system. Today, we’re thrilled to share with you a game-changing round of new endorsed candidates who can do it.

For too long, judges in New Orleans have come out of the old tough-on-crime, throw-them-away prosecutor's office. With 7 judicial seats open this year, we’re proud to be endorsing 7 incredible, reform champions running to take these seats and #FliptheBench.

 

Will you make a donation right now to support these 7 reform champions as they work to #FliptheBench in New Orleans this November? Your donation will power this fight to dramatically transform justice in New Orleans and elect judges who will put people over profit.
CHIP IN NOW

For years, judges in New Orleans have had strong ties to the bail bond industry and have put profit over people, levying fines and fees to pad their own budgets. They put innocent people in prison and imposed years of incarceration on those who committed low-level, non-dangerous offenses.

This November, we can end this cycle. This slate of candidates we’re endorsing will treat all people with humanity, rely on smart, research-based solutions, and prioritize public safety over punishment:

Graham Bosworth (Criminal Court, Section D): Graham Bosworth has had a career devoted to seeking fairness for all. Even as an appellate attorney in the district attorney’s office early in his career, Bosworth was respected by defense attorneys and had a reputation as a prosecutor who did not believe in a win-at-all-costs mentality, but in actually pursuing justice.

Derywn Bunton (Criminal Court, Section E): Derwyn Bunton has dedicated his life to public service. Immediately after law school, he joined the staff of the Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana, helping lead a lawsuit challenging the unconstitutional conditions of Louisiana’s juvenile prisons. He then became the Executive Director of what is now the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights and later on led the Orleans Public Defender, helping shape that office into one of the most respected public defender offices in the country.

Nandi Campbell (Criminal Court, Section G): Nandi Campbell started her work as a public defender in Orleans Parish, helping the office establish itself in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. She then left the public defender role, but not criminal defense, launching her own firm that continued to represent the poor and indigent.

Angel Harris (Criminal Court, Section L): Angel Harris became an attorney, inspired by Thurgood Marshall, to challenge systems of racism, sexism, and classism. Harris began her legal career as a public defender in Louisiana, first in Orleans Parish and then Calcasieu Parish. She went on to gain critical experience with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and ACLU’s Capital Defense Project.

Teneé Felix (Juvenile Court, Section F): Teneé Felix is running to be a juvenile court judge because of her belief that a safer New Orleans requires treating kids like kids, and not expanding the school to prison pipeline. Prior to law school, Felix volunteered with an at-risk youth program in the Boston area. She then volunteered with Loyola’s Katrina Law Clinic and after graduation became a staff attorney with the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights.

Steve Singer (Magistrate Judge): Steve Singer, who has over 30 years of experience as an attorney fighting for equal and fair treatment for all, led the effort to rebuild the Orleans Parish Public Defender in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He helped transform the office from one with just a few attorneys to a well-respected public defender’s office with more than 120 attorneys.

Meg Garvey (Municipal Judge): Meg Garvey is a career public defender whose first appearance in court was in the wake of Hurricane Katrina representing people who had been stuck in jail and denied access to courts. Garvey has helped author a report on the need to reform the bail system in Orleans Parish and Louisiana, and fought to raise the age of criminal liability so that children are not sent to adult jails.

John, if we flip this bench, we can transform what justice looks like in New Orleans. We can finally give millions of folks a shot at real justice when they step in that courtroom.

Can you give $5 or anything you can today to support these 7 candidates and bring real justice to the courtrooms of New Orleans? This is a unique and life-changing opportunity — we’re counting on support from folks like you to help pull this off.

Let’s do this,

Shaun King