Four Republican candidates for the Louisiana Supreme Court will debate the U. S. Supreme Court’s decision upholding Obamacare.

The first face-to-face meeting of the four candidates will occur this Tuesday, July 10 at the monthly Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon at Café Americain, 7521 Jefferson Hwy. in Baton Rouge

The monthly luncheons are sponsored by the Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish on the second Tuesday of each month.

Parish Republican chairman Woody Jenkins said it will be a good opportunity for Republicans and the news media to learn more about how the candidates approach important legal issues. Jenkins said, “Too often, the election of judges revolves around issues of personality, rather than the judicial philosophy of the judge. On the state supreme court, it is especially important that we have judges who understand and respect the U. S. and Louisiana constitutions, individual liberty, separation of powers, the proper role of the judiciary, and our civil law tradition in Louisiana. Most of all, we need judges who are honest and who can decide cases fairly in accordance with the law.”

Participating in the forum will be state supreme court candidates:

• Appeals Court Judge Toni Higginbotham of Baton Rouge;
• Appeals Court Judge Jeff Hughes of Livingston;
• District Court Judge William A. Morvant of Baton Rouge; and
• Appeals Court Judge Duke Welch of Baton Rouge.

All are Republicans. Appeals Court Judge John Guidry, a Democrat, is also a candidate.

Having candidates for judicial office debate legal issues is something new in Louisiana. In 2002, the U. S. Supreme Court struck down a provision of the Minnesota Code of Judicial Ethics, which had attempted to limit what judicial candidates could say in a campaign. So a debate on the issues is legal under the U. S. Supreme Court decision.

The candidates will be asked questions such as the role of the Commerce Clause under the U. S. Constitution, Congress’ ability to levy taxes, how the Obamacare decision could be challenged, and other current judicial issues before the U. S. Supreme Court.

The Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon is open to registered Republicans, the news media, and others by invitation. To make reservations, call luncheon chairman Richie Edmonds at 225-892-6000.