Change likely in federal posts

• By BILL LODGE AND GERARD SHIELDS
• Advocate staff writers
• Published: Nov 17, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Outgoing U.S. Rep. Don Cazayoux is ahead in the behind-the-scenes race to become the next U.S. attorney for the Baton Rouge-based Middle District of Louisiana, according to two people close to the nominating process.

In Washington on Friday, one congressional aide referred to Cazayoux, D-New Roads, as “the leading candidate.”

The aide noted that President-elect Barack Obama recorded telephone endorsements for Cazayoux during Cazayoux’s recent congressional campaign.

Two other possibilities for the federal law enforcement post are West Baton Rouge Parish prosecutor Tony Clayton, who won a second-degree murder conviction against serial killer Derrick Todd Lee, of St. Francisville, in Port Allen; and Brian Jackson, a former assistant U.S. Attorney, now working in private practice in New Orleans.

A federal judgeship that has been vacant in Baton Rouge since 2007 appears headed for one of three local figures, said two people close to the nominating process.

But one, state District Judge Bonnie Jackson, said Friday that she plans to stay “where I can do the most good.

“It’s certainly an honor and flattering to be considered for a federal judgeship,” Bonnie Jackson said. “But I love the job I have now.”

Another person considered for the federal bench, Baton Rouge attorney Christine Lipsey, could not be reached Friday.

A third contender is Baton Rouge attorney Randy Piedrahita.

“You can ask me a thousand different ways … and I won’t comment on it,” Piedrahita said of the federal judgeship. “Out of respect for the people making these decisions, I have no comment.”

But Piedrahita, who successfully defended several area Democratic Party candidates against election challenges in recent months, would not remove himself from consideration.

“If I were so fortunate, it would really be a special honor to be part of President-elect Barack Obama’s vision of change, of making government help the people resolve their differences instead of creating new ones,” Piedrahita said.

Cazayoux could not be reached Friday for comment on the possible U.S. Attorney appointment, but a staff member released a statement on his behalf.