This New Orleans Black Man Who Spent 30 Years in Prison Elected in Historic Runoff Election

Calvin Duncan, 62, only had an eighth grade education when he was sentenced for a 1981 murder he did not commit. But after spending three decades in prison, Duncan himself uncovered evidence that police officers lied in court. This led to his conviction finally being vacated in 2021… but the New Orleans man decided he wasn’t done yet.

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Earlier this year, Duncan threw his name in an election for New Orleans’ chief criminal court record keeper, who’s in charge of managing and preserving all court records, including criminal case files. Democrat incumbent Darren Lombard has held the position since 2022. This year, he was up for reelection. Well, that was until Duncan jumped in.

“I decided to run for office because I don’t want what happened to me to happen to anyone else,” Duncan, who became a legal expert while incarcerated and eventually a lawyer, said, according to WWL. Advocates for criminal justice reform largely supported his campaign, while the incumbent received support from the city’s mayor-elect and other notable Democratic organizations.

The election cycle was messy with Lombard repeatedly claiming that Duncan was guilty of the 1981 murder. He took out advertisements and doubled down on Duncan’s alleged guilt in televised debates and media appearances, AP News reported. Even Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said Duncan was not innocent, despite dozens of legal experts vouching for him in a public letter.

“The facts, the law, and the procedural history are clear: Calvin Duncan was wrongfully convicted, he has proved his innocence, and he is now fully exonerated,” the letter obtained by AP News read. On the flip side, Duncan accused Lombard of failing to properly maintain court documents, WWL reported.

Still, the people of New Orleans saw past the smoke and mirrors, and in the city’s October primary election, Duncan shockingly won 47 percent of a three-candidate vote. Lombard, the runner up, received 46 percent, which forced a runoff election.

On Saturday (Nov. 15), Duncan washed Lombard, gaining 68 percent of the total vote, according to reports. “Tonight is a dream that’s been forty years in the making,” Duncan wrote in a statement. “I hope that all those people who died in prison because we couldn’t get their records are looking down now. I hope they’re proud of me.”

He continued, “We never stopped fighting for each other’s rights, and I will never stop fighting for yours.” Duncan is listed in the National Registry of Exonerations.

Unlike most criminal court systems, New Orleans’ still relies on paper files. A digital system is in the works, according to the city, but the traditional filing system has led to the mishandling of court files. Back in August, it was reported that court records were mistakenly discarded. The clerk’s office– under Lombard– was forced to dive through a landfill in order to retrieve them, WWL reported.

After his loss, Lombard congratulated Duncan. “I want to congratulate Calvin Duncan on his victory,” Lombard said. “I stand ready to support a smooth and professional transition so that the important work of this office continues without interruption.”