The race for clerk of Orleans Parish Criminal District Court pits incumbent Darren Lombard against two challengers who argue the office is outdated and in urgent need of reform.

Lombard, a Democrat elected in 2021, faces Calvin Duncan , a Democrat, and Valencia Miles , an independent, in the Oct. 11 primary. Early voting begins Saturday.

Lombard has touted his experience on the campaign trail, noting that neither opponent has held office.

Duncan is a well-known name in the criminal justice community: He spent 28 years at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola before his conviction was vacated in 2021. His struggle to obtain records from prison — including from the clerk’s office — has shaped his platform, which centers on expanding public access to court files.

Duncan has rai

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