Candidate disqualified in court race

NEW IBERIA, La. (AP) — A state judge Friday ordered 16th District judicial candidate Carolyn Deal to withdraw from an election that currently is underway in early voting.
District Judge Keith Comeaux sided with Assistant District Attorney Chester Cedars, who argued Deal had not been an attorney for the constitutionally required eight years before qualifying to run for judge on Aug. 21.
Records show Deal was admitted to the Louisiana Bar in October 2007, short of the time required under the Louisiana Constitution mandates.
Deal says she plans to appeal the decision.
The 16th Judicial District covers Iberia, St. Martin and St. Mary parishes.
With Deal's disqualification, two candidates remain in the race.