Changes

In 2007, Caldwell ran for attorney general against the incumbent, fellow Democrat Charles F. Foti, Jr., and Republican [[Royal Alexander]], an attorney from Shreveport and a former congressional aide to U.S. Representative [[Rodney Alexander]] (no relation) of Jackson Parish, of whom he was not related. Caldwell secured high-profile endorsements from the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association and the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, two longtime Democratic-leaning interest groups.[12] Most of the state's newspapers, including the Shreveport Times in Alexander's hometown, endorsed Caldwell. Foti, a former Orleans Parish criminal sheriff, had lost favor with voters over controversies involving the prosecution of medical professionals in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.[13]

In 2007, Caldwell ran for attorney general against the incumbent, fellow Democrat Charles F. Foti, Jr., and Republican [[Royal Alexander]], an attorney from Shreveport and a former congressional aide to U.S. Representative [[Rodney Alexander]] (no relation) of Jackson Parish, of whom he was not related. Caldwell secured high-profile endorsements from the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association and the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, two longtime Democratic-leaning interest groups.[12] Most of the state's newspapers, including the Shreveport Times in Alexander's hometown, endorsed Caldwell. Foti, a former Orleans Parish criminal sheriff, had lost favor with voters over controversies involving the prosecution of medical professionals in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.[13]

Shortly before the three-candidate primary for attorney general on October 20, 2007, it was revealed that Caldwell's son, James "David" Caldwell, Jr., was employed by former Attorney General Foti. Caldwell had supported Foti in the 2003 election.[1] Nevertheless, Caldwell led the primary with 434,507 votes (36 percent). Alexander ran second with 395,498 (32 percent). Foti polled 389,300 votes (also 32 percent) but trailed Alexander and was hence eliminated from the general election competition.[14]

Shortly before the three-candidate primary for attorney general on October 20, 2007, it was revealed that Caldwell's son, James David Caldwell, Jr., was employed by former Attorney General Foti. Caldwell had supported Foti in the 2003 election.[1] Nevertheless, Caldwell led the primary with 434,507 votes (36 percent). Alexander ran second with 395,498 (32 percent). Foti polled 389,300 votes (also 32 percent) but trailed Alexander and was hence eliminated from the general election competition.[14]

In the general election, Caldwell defeated Alexander by a 2-1 margin. Caldwell received 477,574 votes (67 percent) to Alexander's 239,485 (33 percent).[15] Just hours prior to the general election, Alexander had filed and then withdrew from a suit against Caldwell on grounds that the Democrat had "lied" about Alexander in televisionadvertising. Alexander said that he had to drop the suit because Louisiana law permits lying as a form of free expression in political campaigns.[16]

In the general election, Caldwell defeated Alexander by a 2-1 margin. Caldwell received 477,574 votes (67 percent) to Alexander's 239,485 (33 percent).[15] Just hours prior to the general election, Alexander had filed and then withdrew from a suit against Caldwell on grounds that the Democrat had "lied" about Alexander in television advertising. Alexander said that he had to drop the suit because Louisiana law permits lying as a form of free expression in political campaigns.[16]

Caldwell opposed the release of Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox of the so-called "Angola 3." Wallace and Woodfox were released after being held for periods of 40 and 43 years in solitary confinement, respectively. Caldwell said he opposed the men's release 'with every fiber of my being' and denied they had been held in solitary confinement.[17] In 2008, Caldwell justified his objection to the release of the then sixty-one-year old Woodfox, saying, "This is the most dangerous person on the planet."[18]

Caldwell opposed the release of Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox of the so-called "Angola 3." Wallace and Woodfox were released after being held for periods of 40 and 43 years in solitary confinement, respectively. Caldwell said he opposed the men's release 'with every fiber of my being' and denied they had been held in solitary confinement.[17] In 2008, Caldwell justified his objection to the release of the then sixty-one-year old Woodfox, saying, "This is the most dangerous person on the planet."[18]