Slidell Attorney Alan Black has announced his candidacy for District Attorney of the 22nd Judicial District, which includes St. Tammany and Washington parishes.

Black, a resident of Slidell since 1985, was born in Washington Parish and has been a lifelong resident of the two-parish district. He graduated from LSU Law School in 1983 and began as a law clerk for Judge Hillary J. Crain of the First Circuit Court of Appeal.

He has maintained a general law practice in St. Tammany and Washington parishes for nearly 30 years.

Black said that maintaining the quality of life in St. Tammany and Washington parishes is his primary reason in deciding to seek the position of district attorney.

“I want St. Tammany and Washington parishes to continue to be a great place to live, work and raise a family,” he said. “I recognize that the essential and fundamental duties of the district attorney are to relentlessly prosecute criminals and work hard to attack the drug problems that underlie most crimes.

“Additionally, I plan to proactively utilize resources of the Office of the District Attorney and take a more involved and innovative role in important quality of life issues.”

For example, he said, one recent issue is concerns related to mental health, such as the closure of Southeast Louisiana Hospital.

Black, 55, is married to Deni Talley Black, also born and raised in Washington Parish and a teacher at Little Oak Middle School in Slidell. They are the proud parents of four sons and have also been blessed with two grandchildren.

The qualifying dates are Aug. 20-22 for the Saturday, Nov. 4, primary election.