LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)— When Acadiana voters head to the polls next Tuesday, they’ll be choosing a new Louisiana supreme court justice to represent the state’s third district, which includes eight parishes in the southwest corner of Louisiana.

The third district race pits Fifteenth Judicial Judge Marilyn Castle of Lafayette, a Republican, against fellow Republican, Third Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Jimmy Genovese of Opelousas.

Judge Castle received her undergraduate and law school diplomas from LSU, and after serving as an assistant and district attorney and prosecutor, she was first elected as district court judge in 1998, serving as Chief Judge for the past two years.

“I think the most important thing in this race is public confidence,” said Castle, “determination of court.”

Appeals Court Judge Jimmy Genovese received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches and his law degree from Loyola University of New Orleans.

He was appointed as an ad-hock judge in 1975 and went on to serve as a state district court judge before being elected to the third circuit court of appeal in 2005.

“For 19-months, I’ve been throughout not just the eight voting parishes,” Said Genovese, “been throughout the state, every single person wants to make sure they’re treated fairly and equally”

Genovese went on to say, “This is a Louisiana race for Louisiana people, it’s not for outside interests.”

The seven members of the Louisiana Supreme Court are elected to ten-year terms and the two candidates are vying to fill the seat held by associate justice Jeannette Knoll, who is retiring.