News -> INDReporter FRI, OCT 14 10:40AM by Walter Pierce

Theall leads in new poll

[Editor's Note: This story was updated to reflect that the Theall campaign commissioned the poll.]

Division M district judge candidate Susan Theall leads among three candidates heading into the Oct. 22 election, but the largest block of likely voters in the poll remain undecided.

The poll, commissioned by Theall, was conducted via telephone Thursday night by FLS Connect among 350 likely voters with a margin of error of +/-5 percent. Theall garnered 27 percent of the vote, Kay Gautreaux came in at 20 percent and Marshall Montgomery received 15 percent. A substantial number, however — 38 percent — remains undecided.

Read more about the candidates here.


Walter Pierce
About the author:


Comments (38)add
...
written by Bubba Boudreaux , October 14, 2011 - 06:06 pm
I know Marshall Montgomery he is a very good Title Attorney actually one of best in the state but he is not qualified in any way to be on the court. I don't know the two ladies that are running but I have heard many positive things about MS. Theall.
...
written by Robert J. Wilson , October 14, 2011 - 06:24 pm
I'm a huge fan of Susan Theall. She's extremely intelligent, personable, accessible and eminently fair-minded. She's certainly qualified for the bench and Lafayette's families would benefit tremendously from her service.

I personally support Ms. Theall and hope that others will take the time to learn more about her, starting with this short informational piece from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YiirmYVc58

...
written by Gaius Cilnius Maecenas , October 14, 2011 - 07:42 pm
All three are excellent candidates. Madame Judge Theall is extremely beautiful! Her kindness & intelligence only adds to her considerable charm. This is going to be a hard decision, since really all three are exceptional judicial candidates!
...
written by And so now... , October 14, 2011 - 08:34 pm
Kay Karre Goutreaux comes from a long family history of public service in Lafayette Parish. She is concerned, courageous, and capable. Not only that, but Kay is first cousins with Congressman Charles Boustany whose dedication to the people and district he serves is well known. This type of service runs in their family.
Kay Karre Goutreaux's dedication to the people she now serves will only expand to all citizens of Lafayette Parish when she is elected to the Family Court Bench. Kay is not only compassionate, concerned, and knowledgible in regard to family law, she is firm and stands for what is in the best interests of children involved in family disputes. Kay Karre Gautreaux will be toughness mixed with class as Division M Family Court Judge.
...
written by yesidoknow , October 14, 2011 - 08:51 pm
Kay Gautreaux would make an excellent judge in the family division. She has great judicial temperament. She is married with children and practices family law extensively. She would bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the bench. If you’re looking for character and fairness in a judge, she’s a very solid pick.

...
written by LoveLafayette , October 14, 2011 - 08:51 pm
Mrs. Gautreaux is a nice lady, but with all due respect, who cares that she is Charles Boustany's first cousin. That has NOTHING to do with this race. This is about experience and there is only one candidate that is 1 of 99 Family Court Specialists in this race - Susan Theall. She is the right person for this job and from these numbers, it looks like Lafayette sees what I see. Three good people, but this is about our kids and I want Susan Theall making those decisions.
...
written by Gaius Cilnius Maecenas , October 14, 2011 - 10:41 pm
And so now, Yesidoknow & LoveLafeyette:

Beautifully stated---All three are exceptional candidates. I only wish we had such tough choices in all of our other selection for candidates. Whoever wins, will augment the intregity & fairness of this judicial office. I will stake my claim on the irrational principle of 'beauty.' However, service and commitment are equally important! This will be a very difficult decision, due to the fact, that all three are unusually brilliant candidates! It bodes well for our local judiciary that we have this richness of selection! I think we should leave this to our local ladies to decide this for us. We men are too stupid!
...
written by notadeadbeatdad , October 15, 2011 - 01:46 am
The only time I tried to make an appointment to see a board certified family law specialist, the secretary said that the appointment would cost $5,000.00. Needless to say, I went with a regular lawyer. Thank God there are still regular attorneys out there.
...
written by Charlotte Thib , October 15, 2011 - 02:15 am
Kay has my vote. She, as an attorney, has a proven track record of being intelligent, capable and fair. She does not put up with any Bull Sh*t. However she is compassionate and caring.

I agree with LoveLafayette "... but with all due respect, who cares that she is Charles Boustany's first cousin."

While her relationship to a Congressman might not be an issue, maybe what "I think And so now, Yesidoknow" was trying to get across was that Kay comes from a family where public service is in their genes. And this extended family has impeccable credentials.
...
written by Karl , October 15, 2011 - 12:14 pm
I'm not sure what being a "Familt Law Certified Lawyer" actually entails or what weight it carries. But I know that Kay Gautreaux is a mother of two, and as a parent, I don't know how any board could certify someone more than that! Montgomery is a parent, too, but I've met him a few times and he is just not Judge material (an opinion I share with almost everyone I know who knows the man). I'm with Gautreaux.

And as to the relevance of Congressman Boustany being Kay Gautreaux's first cousin, I will ask this one question: if you were Coach Hudspeth, and you got a call to come recruit a high school quarterback whose last name was "Brees," how long would it be before you were on a plane?
...
written by Barb Guidry , October 15, 2011 - 01:36 pm
I personally have known Marshall Montgomery for several years. He is extremely experienced in family law. He also has a family and knows first hand how hard it is to raise children. He is fair, honest and I know he is by far the best candidate for family court judge.
...
written by Very important , October 15, 2011 - 03:14 pm
I have written posts and I have not seen them. Do you not print all posts as long as they are within the guidelines?
...
written by curious , October 15, 2011 - 03:16 pm
Karl, how could you have formed such an opinion of a man you just met a few times. What is your criteria for "Judge material." Did you interview him with that in mind the few times you met him? Making a decision about who is qualifed to be judge requires that you know them better than having met they "a few times." That is a very important position.
...
written by Leslie Turk , October 15, 2011 - 04:24 pm
Very important, when did you attempt to post comments that were not approved?
...
written by Gaius Cilnius Maecenas , October 15, 2011 - 04:26 pm
To [N]otadeadbeatdad:

$5,000.00 for initial legal representation by a 'Family Law Certified Lawyer' strikes me as a correct amount to charge. These family disputes are very labor & information intensive. Also, these cases must be handled intelligently, so there actually is a practical & fair resolution to all the legal issues, and there are many, and it does not spin out of control as an on-going saga of warring parties that transforms itself into a soap opera!

You get what you pay for! Competence & peace of mind do not come cheaply!
...
written by very important , October 15, 2011 - 05:32 pm
One of the comments I posted was regarding the fact that Kay Karre Gautreaux and Marshall Montgomery have children, whereas it is my understanding that Miss Theall is not married and does not have children. It is very beneficial to have somneone makeing decisions about families and children who know first hand the challenges of children's issues combined with family issues. These challenges change on a day to day, sometimes on an hour to hour basis. Raising children is very unique to people who are parents. No two children in the same family are alike and sometimes have different needs. That's why it is so important to have someone who has that practical and unique expeience making those important decisions.
...
written by very important , October 15, 2011 - 05:41 pm
In response to Gaius Cilnius Maecenas, beware of beauty and considerable charm. I would not want anyone charming their way to a decision concerning me and my family. I want someone with knowledge and expereince with interaction between children and parents.
...
written by very important , October 15, 2011 - 06:47 pm
Who was commissioned to conduct this poll?
...
written by Gaius Cilnius Maecenas , October 15, 2011 - 07:20 pm
To [V]ery important:

Excellent points! However, one could equally argue that Mademoiselle Judge Theall would be the better judge, since she does not bring the personal baggage of parents-children interaction dynamics. She would approach each case on its individual parameters and merits. She would be more attune to changing trends and family needs. However, I will stick to my guns, and learn from you ladies as to how I should vote!

Thanks for your contributions here to us menfolk!
...
written by The Real Deal , October 15, 2011 - 08:05 pm
"However, one could equally argue that Mademoiselle Judge Theall would be the better judge, since she does not bring the personal baggage of parents-children interaction dynamics."

What does that mean? Is it English? It certainly isn't logical. Please stay home on election day.
...
written by Kevin J Gossen , October 15, 2011 - 08:20 pm
Reading the comments has prompted me to respond on behalf of my brother-in-law, Marshall Montgomery. I have known Marshall for 40 years. I have whitnessed his personal moral and professional growth. Marshall is the guy that shows up at my flooding home with his truck loaded with sand bags. He is also the person that not only mends his fences, but builds them. Marshall always has a large summer and fall garden,which he and his family harvest. One might ask what doe this have to do with being a good judge. First of all, This should show you what kind of person Marshall is. As far as his qualifications, Marshall's conversations always end up talking about the injustices he witnesses and speaking to "law of justice". All I ask of you is to study each candidates. I am convinced you will come to the same conclusion as I have. Thank you for your consideration. Kevin Gossen
...
written by very important , October 15, 2011 - 09:28 pm
Gaius Cilnius Maecenas: With something as important as family and children, I wouldn't call it personal baggage. That is a very important issue and not to know from personal experience about family with children would be a hindrance in making the right decision, paticularly for the children because they should be the first consideraiton. Changing trends do not have a place in family law.

Kevin Gossen has commented on Marshall Montgomery. That speaks volumes for a person when they do what Kevin Gossen has observed.
...
written by And so now... , October 16, 2011 - 09:12 am
Kevin Gossen, Marshall Montgomery speaks down to people, with his hand on his hip, as he seeks their vote. He gives no definetive answers to questions posed to him and the anwers he does give are vague at best. This more than indicates that he is not of firm footing in family court situations and that he is running for the bench to appease his family. Mongomery should stick to his garden where he is, hopefully, on firm footing there.
Kay Karre Gautreaux exhibits thoughtful concern and decisiveness in her answers to questions posed to her. To me, this states that she will weight each case on its own merits and render her decision accordingly.
...
written by Gaius Cilnius Maecenas , October 16, 2011 - 05:58 pm
To the Ladies Here:

You have richly and warmly endorsed your respective candidates. One cannot argue against experience & knowledge. But both the lady candidates have this.

Since I know family disputes, where the husband is the more responsible choice for the moral, intellectual development of their children; and in other cases, where the wife is the more desirable choice in these difficult cases regarding their children.

Without resorting to argumentum ad hominem, argumentum ad verecundiam & argumentum consensus gentium, can you give further vivid, concrete details as to which of these remarkable ladies should be chosen over the other?
...
written by Crackln Patin , October 17, 2011 - 07:08 pm
by very important "Who was commissioned to conduct this poll"?
--------------------

Probably Walter. I can see it now. He looks around the Ind office and asks for show of hands.
...
written by Quentin Simon , October 18, 2011 - 01:06 am
And so Now, if you think Marshall Montgomery is simply running for this position to "appease" his family you definitely do not know Marshall nor his family. Marshall advised his family that this opportunity to run for family court judge was a calling that he felt compelled to follow; an opportunity to serve the community. Marshall has more depth and character than most anyone you will meet. He does not make hasty decisions but rather considered and deliberate decisions. That is the type of judicial temperment that is needed on the bench in this sensitive area of the law. I doubt you have met Marshal in person to assess his responses to questions, but as you should know, a judge is required to apply the law, not make law and each case turns on its own facts. Thus, one can imagine the diffficulty a candidate may have when pressed how he would decide a hypothetical legal dispute without having all possible facts at his disposal to formulate an answer. In the interest of full disclosure, I too am Marshall's brother-in -law.
...
written by And so now... , October 18, 2011 - 06:24 pm
We hear from more from the family of Montgomery. Does he not have anyone other than members of his family to give their biased opinions concerning his merits? For someone of such depth and character, he should try looking at the public when he addresses them and remove his hand from his hip. If his depth is such that he cannot, or will not, relate to the common man, then he has no business rendering judgement on them. Especially in family court.
...
written by Debbye Doyle Veillon , October 18, 2011 - 09:06 pm
I am a huge fan of Susan Theall... She would be a wonderful, dedicated and hard working judge for our city... Please vote and support her... She will prove herself over and over if given the opportunity
...
written by Quentin Simon , October 18, 2011 - 09:47 pm
And so now, All one has to do is read the other posts above that show ample support for Marshall. You appear fixated on perceived mannerisms as tantamount to Marshall's qualifications. Yet the two are at war with logic and irreconcilable. For example, while Kaye is a nice person, a good lawyer and admired by many, one may feel a past unpleasant experience at federal court when Kaye worked there as a basis to support that kaye is not qualified for the office of district court judge. I am sure you will agree that her qualifications should not be based on one's past experience at federal court any more than your perceived issues with any mannerisms Marshall may have exhibited at that moment in time. If you would like to assess the depth of Marshall's character and his judicial temperment and integrity, I am sure I can arrange a question and answer session for you and anyone on this post who may possess such intellectual curiosity. Of course, you will have to remove your cloak of ananimity as his family has, as we have nothing to hide concerning our support.You can communicate with me directly to make arrangements, I am listed in the phone book.
...
written by Quentin Simon , October 18, 2011 - 10:20 pm
And so now, let's not forget that you chose to draw Marshall's family into this discussion with your baseless accusations. I look forward to your call.
...
written by We can better , October 19, 2011 - 07:25 am
I would never support Kay Gautreaux. I have been involved in divorce court with her and feel her advice bordered on malfeasance. She delayed the case which ended up costing everyone alot of money except her. Do not anything about Theall or Montgomery but I feel we can just do better than Kay Gautreaux.
...
written by nothing to do , October 20, 2011 - 10:35 am
I would like to call to mind the obvious in which I think most people forget to see. EXPERIENCE!! Thats it. When applying for a job the interviewer asks "How much experience do you have'? Not who your daddy is or your cousin or your brother orany of that irrelevent BS. The fact that someone has a family or a cousin that trains zebras to sit doesnt mean anything at all. My father worked for the railroad and still i cannot drive a train. Riding the coat tail of a cousin or ones family does not qualify someone for anything. The money to pay these salaries comes from tax payer dollars whis equates to these being employees of the public. I know i want to hire someone with the most experience, not a good brother, son, friend or cousin. Thats a real simple thing to determine. READ.
...
written by Karl , October 20, 2011 - 12:07 pm
To that same end, what "experience" does someone who has never been married and has never had children have in dealing with family matters. Understanding a marriage or parenthood is not something that, in my opinion, someone can learn from law school or the courts. I want a smart judge who knows the law, but is it wrong to also want that person to have the real world "experience" of dealing with children of their own. Everyone I know who doesn't have kids have all kinds of theories on how I should raise and discipline mine...that is until they have their own. Then they gain some perspective of what being a parent really is all about.
...
written by nothing to do , October 20, 2011 - 08:52 pm
Not all things are the way they seem If certain people deserve to be a judge then I should be on the Supreme Court.
...
written by nothing to do , October 20, 2011 - 08:55 pm
The position is for a judge NOT a parent or a brother or a cousin. And this Parent thing could also make this person biased. Lets just hope the right one gets in.
...
written by Not Important , October 20, 2011 - 11:41 pm
If being married or having kids is what qualifies someone to be a judge, then apparently this area is littered with qualified candidates. What matters is do these candidates know this very specialized area of the law.

This is a court of limited jurisdiction. If you look at the dockets for Division M and H (the two family court seats), the only name you will see consistently is Susan Theall. Marshall will make appearances every now and then, and once in a blue moon you may see Kaye.

Experience matters here, not your relations to others. Susan has been doing family law, and only family law, for over twenty years. She doesn't do it on the side to a personal injury practice or criminal practice. She does this because she loves and she cares.
...
written by nothing to do , October 24, 2011 - 01:50 pm
The people have spoken and the votes are tallied. Now in the big scheme of things ot is plain to see who was right and who was wrong. I wonder how many of you really know the person you stood behind. I wonder if you ever got the real truth from them. I know for a fact based on my living experience it is real easy to say what you think people want to hear in order to gain what one wants. I would call to mind that this position is for a lifetime. It was and is not for someone that is not willing to give their all. This is a life-changing and lifelong commitment. It is about being recorded in the history books forever. It was not a race for a half-committed and half stepping person. It was clearly evident of that Saturday night. So having said that i think it is important that anyone concerned (and all should be) that everyone quit looking at cousins, brother, mother-in-laws and all that stuff and look at who is making the commitment as a lifelong decision. This my friends should and clearly shows that Susan Theall has made this commitment to her supporters, her family(and she does have a family)her friends, this community and most importantly to the children, of this community. I implore everyones to go out and vote and do what is best for this community.
...
written by nothing to do , October 31, 2011 - 07:29 pm
Funny how they all turned tail and ran soft support is what they had
You must be logged in to post a comment. Log in using your Facebook account or register if you do not have an account yet.

busy 
LA LA Land
Advertisement
Most Read
Advertisement
Advertisement
in case you missed it