The results of the Nov. 8 primary was surprising to many local politicos who had predicted Greg Tarver with the most votes to be followed by Tom Arceneaux.
The voters did just the opposite, with Arceneaux besting Tarver.
The same crowd expected Adrian Perkins to be a close second, and maybe finish third. Perkins' finished fourth in the vote count.
The endorsement of Tarver by outgoing state senator Barrow Peacock was an early indicator that the election may not be the typical white versus black, Republican versus Democrat race. However Peacock is not a big political force in Shreveport and his endorsement, while interesting, did not bear much clout to most politicos.
The run-off election hot stove had become cold after the primary with many predicting that Tarver would win because of his race and his party. Yawn.
Former mayor Ollie Tyler's early endorsement of Arceneaux had not gained much media attention. Most observers questioned if Tyler had any real clout in this election.
And the same can be said for the endorsement of former Shreveport police chief Jim Roberts who lives in the parish.
But then the announced endorsements of current mayor Adrian Perkins and former mayor Cedric Glover have suddenly stirred the mayoral political waters.
Now Arceneaux has the endorsements of three African American Democrats who have sat in the mayor's chair.
"Unity" has been the campaign mantra of Tarver. This theme has now been hijacked by the Perkins and Glover endorsements.
Arceneaux supporters are rejoicing with renewed confidence of success on election day.
The Tarver supporters question if many voters will follow the lead of Glover or Perkins in making their mayoral selections.
Leaving out the endorsements, the real question is will African American Democrats vote for a white Republican?
Stay tuned.