Lafayette Parish, Louisiana

15th Judicial District Court, Division I

2 candidates are tracked for 15th Judicial District Court, Division I on the November 3, 2026 ballot: "Will" Keaty II and David Way. Candidate information follows official Lafayette Parish election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Open seat to replace retiring Judge Marilyn Castle. Both candidates are Republicans, per the Acadiana Advocate's Nov. 3 ballot rundown and a BY Local News report on Way's campaign kickoff. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

What this office does

Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.

Louisiana › Lafayette Parish › 15th Judicial District Court, Division I

"Will" Keaty II

Republican

Top priorities

Says Lafayette deserves a district judge who knows the community as a neighbor and parent, not just as a candidate
Cites active civic and family involvement, including raising four children in Lafayette schools and participating with the Knights of Columbus since 2021

Per the campaign site.

Biography

"Will" Keaty II is a Republican candidate for 15th Judicial District Court, Division I. He has 14 years of experience in Lafayette's legal community, including private practice, service as a justice of the peace, and work as a prosecutor handling felony cases for the 15th JDC District Attorney's Office, per his campaign site. He is a Broussard resident and Lafayette Parish native, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

David Way

Republican

Top priorities

Emphasizes courtroom experience as a qualification for the bench
Emphasizes integrity as a core value
Says he will be tough on crime

Per the campaign site.

Biography

David Way is a Lafayette attorney in his 30th year of practice, a partner at Oliver & Way LLC, and the Magistrate Judge for the City of Youngsville, per his campaign site. Per the same site, he is a past president of the Duhe Inn of Court and of the Lafayette Young Lawyers Association and was named a Top Lawyer by Acadiana Profile magazine.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballot15th Judicial District Court, Division M

See your full ballot

Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for 15th Judicial District Court, Division I in 2026?

When is the 15th Judicial District Court, Division I election in Louisiana?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Louisiana are on the Louisiana election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Lafayette Parish ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Lafayette Parish and state election office filings, last verified October 1, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Louisiana election office, or see the full Lafayette Parish sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Lafayette Parish ballot

5 tracked races in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

District Attorney, 15th Judicial District Lafayette City Court Judge, Division B Lafayette Parish School Board, District 2 See all 5 Lafayette Parish races

Candidate profiles

"Will" Keaty II, full profile David Way, full profile Official Louisiana election office