BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) -
Jeff Hughes spent over 20 years as a district court judge and in December became the last person standing in a deep eight candidate field for Supreme Court Justice. On Sunday the culmination of years and years of work truly hit home.
"So help me God," said Hughes as he was officially sworn in.
Hughes embarks on a journey to be a part of the most elite court in Louisiana, realizing it won't take long before his vote makes a big impact.
"It's no secret we're probably going to have more big Constitutional issues in the next year than we've had in the last 20. We've got the vouchers, teachers retirement and a couple others in the pipeline so it should be a fun year," said Hughes.
A fun year indeed especially for Hughes, a Denham Springs High School graduate who will be making decisions in his own back yard as the first state supreme court justice from Livingston Parish.
"When we're at the Supreme court we are going to treat everybody in the state the same but I think it says something about Livingston parish the growth, the economy and the population here is growing and I think it will help the parish," said Hughes.
"He's going to be terrific and to have a justice from Livingston Parish, someone you know and someone you can talk to and feel comfortable talking to. It's just great," added Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks.
Hughes believes his lengthy experience in the court system will prepare him for what lies ahead but adds he would not be making this step without the help of so many along the way.
"I'm confident about the work and I'll be able to do that I just feel really lucky because there are so many people that helped. It was not about me at all," said Hughes.
Not only does Hughes become the first State Supreme Court Justice from Livingston Parish but he is the first Republican to represent the eight parishes that make up District five.
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