Richard Perque
Richard Perque (Democratic Party) is running in a special election for the Division M judge of the Orleans Parish Civil District Court in Louisiana. He is on the ballot in the special primary on May 16, 2026.[source]
Perque was a judge for Division G of the Orleans Parish Civil District Court in Louisiana. He assumed office on May 1, 2023.
Education
Perque earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Loyola University, going on to receive his J.D. there as well.[1]
Career
After earning his law degree, Perque began his legal career at his family's firm, where he practiced with his parents and grandparents. He later opened his own civil litigation practice in New Orleans.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: City elections in New Orleans, Louisiana (2026)
Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.
General election
The primary will occur on May 16, 2026. The general election will occur on June 27, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Nonpartisan primary
Special Nonpartisan primary election for Orleans Parish Civil District Court Division M
Stephanie Bridges (D) and Richard Perque (D) are running in the special primary for Orleans Parish Civil District Court Division M on May 16, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Stephanie Bridges (D) | |
 | Richard Perque (D) | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
Perque received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.
- U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D)
- State Sen. Gary Carter Jr. (D)
- State Sen. Royce Duplessis (D)
- State Rep. Mandie Landry (D)
- State Rep. Shaun Mena (D)
- Frmr. New Orleans Mayor Sidney Barthelemy II (D)
- New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno (D)
- Frmr. Gov. John Bel Edwards (D)
- Greater New Orleans AFL-CIO
- LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
2018
Division E
Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.
General election
General election for Orleans Parish Civil District Court Division E
Omar Mason defeated Marie Williams in the general election for Orleans Parish Civil District Court Division E on December 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Omar Mason (D) | 65.6 | 23,349 |
 | Marie Williams (D) | 34.4 | 12,242 | |
| Total votes: 35,591 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Orleans Parish Civil District Court Division E
Omar Mason and Marie Williams defeated Richard Perque and Kenneth Plaisance in the primary for Orleans Parish Civil District Court Division E on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Omar Mason (D) | 42.0 | 50,828 |
| ✔ | | Marie Williams (D) | 26.8 | 32,391 |
| Richard Perque (D) | 23.7 | 28,728 | |
| Kenneth Plaisance (D) | 7.5 | 9,050 | ||
| Total votes: 120,997 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Division A
Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.
Nonpartisan primary election
Special nonpartisan primary for Orleans Parish Civil District Court Division A
Ellen Hazeur won election outright against Richard Perque and Taetrece Harrison in the special primary for Orleans Parish Civil District Court Division A on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ellen Hazeur (D) | 58.5 | 19,620 | |
| Richard Perque (D) | 30.5 | 10,238 | |
 | Taetrece Harrison (D) | 10.9 | 3,664 | |
| Total votes: 33,522 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Selection method
- See also: Partisan election of judges
There are 217 judges on the Louisiana District Courts, each elected to six-year terms. They must face re-election if they wish to serve again.[2]
The district courts select chief judges by peer vote (with term lengths that vary by individual court).[2]
Qualifications
To serve on this court, a judge must be:[2][3]
- licensed to practice law in the state for at least eight years;
- a resident of the district represented for at least one year; and
- under the age of 70 at the time of election (judges who turn 70 in office may serve until their term expires)
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Richard Perque has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to Richard Perque asking him to fill out the survey. If you are Richard Perque, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?
Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's Ballotpedia profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for. More than 26,000 candidates have taken Ballotpedia's candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.
You can ask Richard Perque to fill out this survey by using the button below or emailing hello@richardperque.com.
Campaign website
Perque's campaign website stated the following:
Judicial Priorities
Civil Court handles matters that directly affect people’s lives, families, and livelihoods. As judge, my responsibility is to ensure cases are handled fairly, efficiently, and with respect for everyone who comes before the court. These priorities reflect my commitment to the rule of law, judicial independence, and thoughtful case management in Division M.
Access to Justice
Justice belongs to everyone
Our courts should work for all people—not just those who can afford lawyers. I believe in clear rules, respectful courtrooms, and a system that helps people understand their rights. Everyone who comes to court deserves to feel heard and treated with dignity.
Efficient On-Time Courts
Your time is important
Courts should be organized and start on-time. I believe in responsible case management, respect for people’s time, and thoughtful use of court resources. An efficient court system benefits litigants, lawyers, and the community as a whole.
Fair Application of the Law
Everyone is equal
Every case deserves careful attention and thought before judgment. I am committed to applying the law fairly and guided by the facts and the law—not by politics, pressure, or personal interests. Fairness and transparency are the cornerstone of public trust in the courts.
— Richard Perque's campaign website (March 6, 2026)
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
Federal courts:
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, Western District of Louisiana • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, Western District of Louisiana
State courts:
Louisiana Supreme Court • Louisiana Courts of Appeal • Louisiana District Courts • Louisiana City Courts • Louisiana Family Courts • Louisiana Justice of the Peace Courts • Louisiana Juvenile Courts • Louisiana Mayor’s Courts • Louisiana Municipal Courts • Louisiana Parish Courts • Louisiana Traffic Courts
State resources:
Courts in Louisiana • Louisiana judicial elections • Judicial selection in Louisiana
