LAPLACE – LaPlace resident Marva Lumar has officially announced her candidacy for St. John the Baptist Clerk of Court in the Oct. 22 general elections.

The position is currently held by incumbent Clerk of Court Eliana DeFrancesch, who has been in office since 2000. DeFrancesch has not yet declared her candidacy.

Lumar is an Edgard native who has lived in LaPlace for the past 20 years. She has 26 years experience in the clerk of court’s office under the administrations of Harold Montegut and Harold Montegut Jr.

She said when she was hired in 1975, she was the first African American hired by the clerk of court for St. John Parish. She said she worked with a very small staff, which gave her the opportunity to learn all departments including criminal, civil mortgages and conveyances, juvenile court and others. She said when she left the office in 1999 she intended to run for clerk, but other job demands kept her from running.

“Now I can devote all my time to campaigning for the office,” Lumar said. “There are so many things happening in that office, and I want to strive for some positive change.”

Lumar attended Nicholls State University while working full time in the clerk’s office and became a certified member of Women Entrepreneur of Economic Development. She is a 1974 graduate of Second Ward High School in Edgard.