Edward S Rapier Jr. has announced his candidacy for state district judge to fill Division C of the 22nd Judicial District Court in Covington. The position serves court cases for both St. Tammany Parish and Washington parishes.

“My background has me well prepared for this job, “ said Rapier. “I have worked on all sides of the civil courtroom: as the plaintiff, as the defense and also as in-house corporate counsel for the entity involved. I’ve already worked as an ad hoc Magistrate for the Mayor’s Court in Covington.”

Rapier is currently an assistant bar examiner for Louisiana Supreme Court.

Rapier

The district court election will be held on Oct. 4 with “early” voting between Sept. 20- 27. The seat is currently held by the Hon. Patricia T. Hedges, who is retiring.

Rapier, 49, has been heavily involved in community activities as a Boy Scout leader, a Red Cross instructor for Lifesaving as well as First Aid/CPR and with Our Lady of the Lake Church.

He was awarded the Order of St Louis earlier this year by the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

“I have invested my time in family activities rather than politics,” said Rapier.

Rapier is a former board member of Crimestoppers and presently serves on the board of PRIDE, a non-profit organization serving St. Tammany and Washington parishes designed to raise the awareness of alcohol and drug abuse in teens and to deter their use.

Rapier, a Republican, insists that campaigning for judge should not be about politics, per se.

“This job is about running an efficient and effective courtroom,” he said. “I am running because I have the support and respect of my peers, not because I seek any political future. I can be a very good judge, at least in part because I have no outside political ties or ambition. I view this position as district judge to be my high calling. My entire career has been directed toward becoming well- prepared for this specific job.’

Rapier graduated from Jesuit High school in 1976. He received an undergraduate degree from UNO and completed his juris doctorate from Tulane Law School in 1986.

In 1998, the Louisiana Bar Journal published his work titled “The Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations and How they Affect a Civil Practice.”

He has owned his own law firm in Mandeville since 2001 and currently serves as general counsel for two area corporations.

He has been married for 25 years and has two children.