JOHN E. SETTLE JR
Jim Taliaferro recently announced he would not pursue his latest political dream of becoming Shreveport mayor.
After jousting with the city marshal and the mayoral windmills in two losing campaigns, Gentleman Jim has now decided to run for the District C council seat being vacated by John Nickelson who is not seeking re-election.
Taliafferro's mayoral campaign fund of $20 thousand can be applied to a council race. That plus his name recognition should give him a big leg up in a council race.
But will it really?
In one sense Gentlemen Jim checks all the boxes.
But in the other he may be viewed as warmed over soup, an old guy still chasing a dream.
Gentleman Jim is always well coiffed, either in a coat and tie or as Cowboy Bob with an oversized western hat, well tailored jeans and boots.
And he always says the "right things", speaking God, country , service, etc. But many question if he ever really says anything of substance.
As far as his service on the Caddo Commission, his initiatives have been limited, his votes straight down the Republican party line and his comments not memorable.
Taliaferro, like Roy Burrell, was handed his commission post because he was the only horse in the race. He should NOT expect a free ride in the council race.
The new council district lines have not yet been decided. How much of what is currently a staunch Republican district will be the new battlefield is unknown.
Jim's political capital may have tapped out in the last mayoral election.
The strategies he employed in that race and the city marshal's race do not easily transfer to a council race in a district that historically has high vote interest and turn out.
At this juncture the only safe bet is that Taliaferro may still be on the Caddo Commission next year when his current term expires.