It’s a very different Shreveport mayoral campaign that Caddo Commissioner John-Paul Young is conducting.
He has limited his campaign to simple messages dealing with police, water, streets and a clean city.
He has over 90 contributions under $1,000, the overwhelming majority of which are less than $500.
He has funded $130,000 of his own money into his campaign as contributions, NOT loans that could be repaid with campaign funds.
To say John-Paul has skin in the game is an understatement.
“I’m really proud of my record breaking number of small donations. To me each one is an endorsement from the most important person - the regular citizen.
"I am not seeking or accepting donations from sources that could influence or corrupt my judgment, such as city contractors or slumlords. My goal is to be an honest mayor for everyone, not beholden to special interests or companies paid by the city government.
"Campaigns are expensive, so I am using my own money for big ticket items, because I think it’s worth it for the chance to save my hometown from the collapse that status quo leadership is causing.”
John-Paul has spent more on his campaign than mayoral candidates Stormy Gage-Watts and Tammy Phelps combined, although he trails the incumbent mayor in spending by a large margin--$118,600 to $293,000.
How John-Paul’s unconventional effort pans is yet to be determined.
