Although the qualifying period for candidates for public office is still two weeks away, it may be that Bossier-Webster voters already may know who will fill two judgeships on the 26th Judicial District Court bench.

Judges John Robinson and Ford Stinson are retiring; Springhill attorney Charles Jacobs has announced for Robinson’s seat, and Bossier City attorney Jeff Thompson has declared for Stinson’s seat. While Bossier City attorney Randall Robinson also announced for a seat, he has not campaigned. And at the point of this writing, it does not appear that either Jacobs or Thompson will have opposition at the end of qualifying.

Thompson is well-known in both parishes. He currently serves as member of the state House of Representatives for District 8. Thompson, founder of Defend Louisiana, has been an outspoken Second Amendment supporter. He’s also served as president of both the Bossier Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation. He’s practiced law for nearly 20 years.

In a recent visit with Thompson, he said that attaining a seat on the Bossier-Webster District Court bench would allow him to continue serving the community and state.

“We have a history of fair and impartial judges that follow the law, and I want to continue that tradition,” said Thompson of the 26th Judicial Court District.

He ticked off the qualities of a dedicated judge, a few of which include putting in the work and time to ensure rulings that are fair and punctual, and being respectful of all in the courtroom from the litigants to the attorneys, and following the law.

Thompson was emphatic about the importance of electing judges who follow the law: “I don’t think we need activist judges who put their interests above the law.”

“I want to provide a fair experience in the courtroom for everybody who walks in … to feel like you have a level playing field when you come in that courtroom.”

Thompson and wife Toni have been married for 23 years and live in Benton. Their daughter, Lillie, attends Benton High School and son, Rowe, attends Benton Middle School.

Thompson will retain his legislative seat through the campaign, only stepping down if elected judge and then on taking office as a judge.

Interestingly, Charles Jacobs’s first job out of law school was in John Robinson’s Springhill law office, until Robinson was elected judge about five years later. That was nearly 20 years ago – and Jacobs said those years have an opportunity to practice in most all areas of law.

“I’ve practiced both criminal defense work. I’ve served … as a public defender. I’ve also, for the past 11 years, been a part-time assistant district attorney in the 26th JDC in Bossier Parish working for Schuyler Marvin.”

Additionally, and for nearly 15 years, he’s served as the Springhill City Attorney and prosecutes misdemeanors in Springhill City Court. He also currently serves as city attorney for the towns of Cullen and Sarepta in Webster Parish.

Jacobs said that wide range of experience qualifies him as a district judge.

“I feel confident and capable of handling any sort of matter that would come before me,” he said. And he ticked off those qualities that he believes make for a respected judge.

“One, of course, is experience … the other – integrity – having a good ethical record … Right up there at the top is temperament – that just because you put on a black robe doesn’t make you better than anybody else, and you can’t forget where you come from, and you can’t take yourself too seriously.”

Jacobs and wife Melanie have been married for over 20 years. Melanie has served as principal in several Webster Parish schools and currently serves as special education supervisor for the school system. Their son John attends North Webster High School.

It’s unlikely that either Thompson of Jacobs will have any serious opposition – but as we all know, that couple of weeks leading up to qualifying could bring a surprise or two.