By: John E. Settle, Jr.

This column is published on Thurs.  June 30.

Qualifying for this year's mayoral and city council elections ends on Fri. July 22 at 4:30 p.m.

Thus the witching hour is 22 days away, if this column is read on Thurs. June 30.

Sooo....at 4:31 p.m. on that day the field will be set. After that there will be no more guessing on who is in, and who is out, of the respective races.

Then the next round of speculation can begin as to who will survive the Nov. 8  primary.

There are several questions on the  mayoral races and council races. 

As far as the mayor's race the big unanswered question is if state Senator Greg Tarver will seek this office. If he announces he is sitting out the election there could be a one or more Democrats qualify. 

Currently the mayor's race has incumbent Adrian Perkins, former council member Tom Arceneaux, and Caddo Commissioner Mario Chavez.

In District A some are looking for an opponent for council member Tabitha Taylor, if for not other reason to put her through the re-election ringer.

In District B, there is some speculation that councilwoman Levette Fuller may not seek re-election.

In District C the only question is whether Jim Taliaferro will have another cake walk with an uncontested election.

District D has incumbent Grayson Boucher who announced before City Marshal Charlie Caldwell's death he would seek re-election. There is some talk he may be reconsidering seeking a second term.

In District E appointed council member Alan Jackson has announced he will seek run for this seat. So has school board member Tony Nations. There is some talk that radio host Alvin Oliver may jump in this race. 

James Green is most likely a lock to be re-elected to his District F seat. Some politicos hope he is challenged to keep him from meddling in the other council and mayoral races.

District G will have a new council member because incumbent Jerry Bowman Jr. is termed out. His wife Ursula just announced she will seek to replace her husband on the council. Others have expressed an interest in this race.

For those who follow Shreveport politics closely, the real game is about to begin.

It’s a long time, in one sense, until the end of the day on July 22. 

It's even longer to the primary and then the general election on Dec. 10.