Grace Ann Blake was sworn in as the interim Caddo Commissioner to fill the unexpired term of Jim Taliaferro on Tues. Sept. 5. Blake is a conservative Republican, and she replaces Democrat Ron Cothran.
Now the party split on the Commission is even with six Democrats and six Republicans. This means that projects proposed by Democrats will be subject to more scrutiny and examination before any affirmative Commission vote.
The election for the new Commission term is Oct. 14. Blake and Republican Tim Euler are vying for that seat. Thus, this election will preserve the even party split.
Caddo Commission District 6 will be an open seat in Jan. of next year as a result of no candidate qualifying. A special election to fill this position will be held on Mar. 23, 2024, with a run-off election, if needed, on April 27.
The new Commission that takes office in Jan. of next year will make an interim appointment to fill this seat until a candidate is elected.
The party breakdown on the Commission will most likely be seven Republicans and five Democrats from the Jan. swearing in until a new District 6 Commissioner takes office.
When Taliaferro resigned, the remaining Commissioners selected as an interim appointee a Democrat to represent a Republican majority district. In Jan. the Republicans can temporarily fill the District 6 seat with a fellow Republican for a district that has a majority of Democrat voters.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.