The race to be the district attorney for the 22nd Judicial District Court, which oversees Washington and St. Tammany parishes, is headed to a runoff between Brian F. Trainor and Warren Montgomery.

Trainor topped the list of candidates, receiving 38 percent of the vote, which was not enough to be the outright victor.

Candidates are required to have more than 50 percent of the vote to win.

“I’m pleased,” Trainor said. “I figured this would be a runoff race. This was kind of the goal from the onset to be top vote getter in the primary and then outworking everybody and being the top vote getter in the runoff.”

Trainor said the strategy for the runoff will change somewhat, but the message, which is keeping St. Tammany and Washington parishes safe, will remain the same.

“I’m not going to change who I am,” Trainor said. “I’ve talked to a lot of people, and they want somebody who will take a stance against crime and keep this community safe.”

Trainor also said if he does win, he has no plans on shutting down the offices in Bogalusa or Franklinton.

When asked about what he will do to shed the tarnished reputation the office has earned recently, Trainor said, “That’s what the election is about, restoring the public’s faith in the DA’s office. You do it through transparent operation and remembering you are a public servant.”

Montgomery picked up 25 percent of the vote to finish second and earn a spot in the runoff with Trainor.

Calls to Montgomery were not returned by press time.

Alan Black, who is originally from Washington Parish, received 20 percent of the overall vote but was the leader among Washington Parish voters with 38 percent.

Trainor was second in Washington Parish, finishing with 29 percent of the Washington Parish vote.