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Ollie Tyler should concede the 2018 Shreveport mayor’s race to Adrian Perkins.
Seventy six, as in 76%, per cent of Shreveport voters did not want Ollie for a second term in Tuesday’s election.
Ollie finished 5 points behind Adrian Perkins. And although that margin could be considered “small”, it was represents almost 20% of her vote total.
And where can Ollie hope, in her wildest of dreams, to pick up more votes than Perkins in the December 8 run off election?
Fellow African American Democrat Steven Jackson polled 11%. Perkins will probably get a minimum of 80 percent of that vote---or 8 points, if not 9.
White Republican Lee O. Savage polled 14 %. His candidacy was squared focused on Tyler’s performance as mayor. Perkins can expect to pick up 90% or more of these voters. That translates into 12 points.
White Republican Jim Taliaferro polled 20%. Perkins will probably pick up a minimum of 50% of these votes. That’s another 10 points, and probably more.
Tyler’s pride and ego will probably keep her in the race.
That plus her inner circle of ladies who would walk off the plank with her--- promising that a lifeboat was awaiting their fall.
Tyler, who turns 74 on January 6 of next year, is much like the emperor who wore no clothes.
Because she is the mayor , at least for another month or so, and because she receives little if any constructive input not to her liking, she will, at least for now, carry on.
Tyler likes to tout her love for Shreveport and her dedication to making it better.
Viewed objectively, her administration has not advanced a city that has lost population, meaningful jobs, and many economic opportunities for real growth.
If Tyler really has the best interest of Shreveport at heart, she would graciously throw in the towel now. Then she could ride out of city hall on a fancy steed, her head held high, accompanied by adoring choirs, and loud trumpets and children throwing rose petals.
If she decides to stay the course, she will forever be know as the stubborn old lady who time passed by and who slipped out the back door humbled and defeated.
It’s not that hard a choice if rationale judgement is followed.
(This article was/will be published in The Inquisitor on Friday, November 9, 2018)