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'''James David Caldwell, Sr.''', known as '''Buddy Caldwell''' (born May 20, 1946), is an [[United States|American]] [[politician]] and [[attorney]] based in Tallulah in Madison Parish in northeastern [[Louisiana]]. A [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], Caldwell switched in 2011 to the [[Republican Party]] while serving two four-year terms as state attorney general from 2008 to 2016. In 2019, he returned to the Democrats to seek the position of [[sheriff]] of Madison Parish.

'''James David Caldwell, Sr.''', known as '''Buddy Caldwell''' (born May 20, 1946), is an [[United States|American]] [[politician]] and [[attorney]] based in Tallulah in Madison Parish in northeastern [[Louisiana]]. A [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], Caldwell switched in 2011 to the [[Republican Party]] while serving two four-year terms as state attorney general from 2008 to 2016. In 2019, he returned to the Democrats to seek the position of [[sheriff]] of Madison Parish.

==District attorney==

==District attorney==

Caldwell was first elected district attorney of the small 6thh Judicial District on September 16, 1978, when he was thirty-two. On January 1, 1979, Caldwell assumed the DA office. The office for the court is in Tallulah. While district attorney, he personally tried felony cases. Suspects rarely won acquittal when Caldwell was the prosecutor. Critics, however, note that Caldwell maintained a high conviction rate by not prosecuting the "hard" cases, those for which conviction would have been difficult to obtain. Caldwell claimed the highest per capita collection rate for back child support in the state.[5]

Caldwell was first elected district attorney of the small 6th Judicial District on September 16, 1978, when he was thirty-two. On January 1, 1979, Caldwell assumed the DA office. The office for the court is in Tallulah. While district attorney, he personally tried felony cases. Suspects rarely won acquittal when Caldwell was the prosecutor. Critics, however, note that Caldwell maintained a high conviction rate by not prosecuting the "hard" cases, those for which conviction would have been difficult to obtain. Caldwell claimed the highest per capita collection rate for back child support in the state.[5]

From 1983 to 1996, Caldwell served on the board of directors of the Louisiana District Attorney's Association.

From 1983 to 1996, Caldwell served on the board of directors of the Louisiana District Attorney's Association. The three-parish district, the most northeastern in the state, is heavily Democratic and includes a high concentration of [[African-American]] voters. On his website, Caldwell contended that he established "positive working relationships throughout Louisiana with Sheriffs, other District Attorneys, Mayors, Parish and Town Councils, School Boards, Justices of the Peace, Constables, and other local officials. I also have experience working with federal agenc

The three-parish district, the most northeastern in the state, is heavily Democratic and includes a high concentration of [[African-American]] voters. On his website, Caldwell contended that he established "positive working relationships throughout Louisiana with Sheriffs, other District Attorneys, Mayors, Parish and Town Councils, School Boards, Justices of the Peace, Constables, and other local officials. I also have experience working with federal agenc

Caldwell won his third term as district attorney in 1990, when in a low-turnout election he defeated fellow Democrat Samuel Thomas, 6,711 (61 percent) to 4,277 (39 percent).[8] He was unopposed in 1996. Caldwell secured a fifth term in 2002, when he defeated fellow Democrat Raymond "Ray" Cannon, 4,987 (56 percent) to 3,931 (44 percent) in another low-turnout election.[9]

Caldwell won his third term as district attorney in 1990, when in a low-turnout election he defeated fellow Democrat Samuel Thomas, 6,711 (61 percent) to 4,277 (39 percent).[8] He was unopposed in 1996. Caldwell secured a fifth term in 2002, when he defeated fellow Democrat Raymond "Ray" Cannon, 4,987 (56 percent) to 3,931 (44 percent) in another low-turnout election.[9]

==Candidacy for attorney general==

==Candidacy for attorney general==

In 2007, Caldwell ran for attorney general against the incumbent, fellow Democrat Charles F. Foti Jr. of New Orleans, and Republican [[Royal Alexander]], an attorney from Shreveport and a former congressional aide to U.S. Representative Rodney Alexander (no relation) of Jackson Parish. 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. 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 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]