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==District attorney==

==District attorney==

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]

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. 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

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 agencies."

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]

While DA for multiple parishes, Caldwell repeatedly refused to investigate and indict family members. In repeated audit findings from the Louisiana Board of Ethics and Legislative Auditors, Carolyn and Ray Caldwell, as well as their children, other family members, and friends, were discovered to be inappropriately profiting from Madison's Office of Clerk of Court finances.[10] When he became state attorney general in 2008, Caldwell appointed his first assistant DA in the 6th District, [[James Paxton]], a native of Madison Parish who resides in St. Joseph in Tensas Parish, as his successor as district attorney.[11]

While DA for multiple parishes, Caldwell repeatedly refused to investigate and indict family members. In repeated audit findings from the Louisiana Board of Ethics and Legislative Auditors, Carolyn and Ray Caldwell, as well as their children, other family members, and friends, were discovered to be inappropriately profiting from Madison's Office of Clerk of Court finances.[10] When he became state attorney general in 2008, Caldwell appointed his first assistant DA in the 6th District, [[James Paxton]], a native of Madison Parish who resides in St. Joseph in Tensas Parish, as his successor as district attorney. [11]

==Candidacy for attorney general==

==Candidacy for attorney general==