MANY, La. -- Sabine Parish District Attorney Don Burkett will not seek reelection this fall.
Burkett told his staff Friday morning then made a public announcement via social media.
"I have decided to not seek reelection as district attorney this year. It has been a great honor to serve the people of the 11th Judicial District in this important position. Any success I have enjoyed is due in large part to a great staff of dedicated employees. Thank you for the kindness and support shown to me and my family over the years. Although I’m certain that mistakes have been made I have nonetheless always tried to be fair and just in all my decisions," Burkett said in a statement.
Burkett, who was elected in 1984, is Louisiana's longest-serving district attorney, representing Sabine Parish. He formerly also represented DeSoto Parish before the 11th Judicial District was split.
After earning his law degree from LSU in 1977, he entered private practice before being elected DA for the former DeSoto-Sabine district. He has since been re-elected six times without opposition.
Throughout his career, Burkett has been instrumental in shaping criminal justice legislation, personally prosecuting around 50 murder cases, and serving on multiple boards, including the North Louisiana Crime Lab and the Louisiana District Attorneys Association.
Burkett was inducted last spring into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in its 33rd annual induction ceremony. He was inducted into the Louisiana Criminal Justice Hall of Fame in 2023.