By JIM BUTLER

A Committee to Elect Brian Cespiva District Judge has filed a statement of organization with the Louisiana Ethics Administration.

The June 12 document formalizes what has been known for some time – Cespiva, who seems to wear more hats than did Hedda Hopper, is a candidate to succeed retiring Ninth District Judge Patricia Koch in October.

Kay Michiels is listed as committee chairperson. Others listed are Johnny Giordano, treasurer, and Kenneth Doggett.

Cespiva may be most readily recognized as an assistant district attorney. He is also counsel to a number of public bodies and involved in a host of community activities.

Koch, in her fourth six-year term, will retire in late October. Her unexpired term runs through 2026.

Her successor will be one of two judges completing terms next year of retired jurists. Loren Lampert was elected in March 2024 to complete John Davidson’s.

All seven of the Ninth Judicial District seats will be at issue in the October 2026 primary. Other judges are:

Monique Rauls, first elected in 2014, succeeding the retiring Donald Johnson; Chris Hazel, first elected in 2018 to fill remaining term of retiring Tom Yeager; Mary Doggett, first elected in 2008, succeeding retiring F. Rae Swent; David Williams, elected in 2020, succeeding the retiring George Metoyer Jr.; Greg Beard, first elected in 2014.