First Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Will Crain reported $403,233.99 cash on hand in campaign finance reports filed last Thursday, double the amount of funds available to all his other opponents combined. Crain, 57, a Republican and Bogalusa native, is a candidate for the District 1 seat on the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Crain’s opponent Judge Hans Liljeberg reported $160,405.33 cash on hand while District Court Judge Scott Schlegel reported $140,498.43 on hand and Richard Ducote reported $1,022.19 cash on hand. All three opponents are also Republicans.

That leaves Crain with $101,308.04 more than the total of all three of his opponents’ cash on hand, combined.

“I am appreciative of the strong support that my candidacy is gaining,” Crain said. “We are prepared to highlight my 33 years of experience in law. We will present a strong and compelling case to voters explaining why the qualifications and experience that I offer are so important to the balance of our Supreme Court and preserving our liberties.”

The election for the District 1 seat on the Louisiana Supreme Court was created upon President Donald Trump’s appointment of former Supreme Court Associate Justice Greg Guidry to the federal bench. The Supreme Court district is comprised of parts of Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, and all of Washington, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes.

Crain was born and raised in Bogalusa, graduated from LSU with a degree in accounting, graduated from LSU Law School in 1986 and spent 22 years as a partner and practicing lawyer with the Jones Fussell Law Firm in Covington. He was elected and served on the 22nd Judicial District Court for St. Tammany and Washington Parishes from 2009 to 2013.

He was elected to the First Circuit Court of Appeal in 2013 from a district that includes Washington, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, St. Helena, Livingston and the Feliciana parishes.

As a First Circuit Court of Appeal Judge, Crain reviews district court decisions from 16 parishes, and has authored approximately 300 opinions.