NEW ORLEANS — Voters elected a judge serving St. Tammany and Washington parishes to a seat on the Louisiana Supreme Court on Saturday. Runoffs will be held June 27 for Republicans seeking seats on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Public Service Commission.

Judge Billy Burris defeated Judge Blair Edwards for the 1st District seat. Complete but unofficial returns showed Burris winning by a nearly 3-2 margin.

A Franklinton native, Burris attended LSU before graduating magna cum laude from Southern University Law Center. After law school, he returned to Washington Parish to practice law before later joining the judiciary. He has also held leadership positions within several statewide judicial organizations and advisory committees.

Burris describes himself as a conservative, rule-of-law judge who believes courts should apply laws as written and leave policymaking to elected officials. His campaign website also highlights his involvement in community and religious organizations, including service as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Franklinton.

Burris says his priorities would include public safety, constitutional rights and judicial restraint. He said in his campaign statement that he would approach cases through an originalist interpretation of the Constitution.