It all ends in just a few short weeks.
On January 8th the Caddo Commission is set to elect its 2026 president to succeed Stormy Gage-Watts.
The next day Stormy’s public persona will begin a major decline, as her media relevancy will become practically nil.
Such is the case with many elected officials who get media limelight when serving as the head of the elected body, be that the Commission, the Shreveport city council and/or the Caddo School Board. On January 16, Gage-Watts will just be one of 12 on the Commission with her only real distinction being the only black female on the body.
So how will the public remember Stormy’s term as the Commission president?
Since she has previously announced she will be a 2026 Shreveport mayoral candidate, this issue should be foreground. Perhaps her first campaign objective will be to establish a residence in the city of Shreveport. But so much for the minor details.
Stormy’s mayoral push card could feature the number of recognition resolutions she has sponsored by Commission approval. Her crown as “resolution poohbah” was seriously challenged this year by her Commission aide-de-camp Victor Thomas and councilman wantabe Ron Cothran. The official results of the resolution count should be announced next month.
Stormy could list her advocacy for the Caddo Parish Youth Leadership Alliance, a youth-led council designed to empower high school students through leadership development, civic engagement, and government education. Conceptualized in 2024 to address youth concerns and strengthen their role in public affairs, the inaugural members took office on Aug. 4.
Issues of more public knowledge and interest will be Gage-Watt’s support and vote for the projected $10 million pickleball complex in southeast Shreveport. The Forbing location is quite a hike from her District 7, even as the crow flows. However, it could provide some support for her among the thousands and thousands of pickleball enthusiasts in the parish.
The standout and most remembered “accomplishment’ as prez certainly was, and still is Stormy’s presentation of a recognition resolution to U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders on his Shreveport visit. The optics were unusual at best,- a black Democrat female elected official openly embracing a white Yankee Socialist. And to top it off, Stormy did not gain approval of her actions by a vote of the Caddo Commission.
Stormy’s picture with Sanders made the national news. It also prompted litigation by the Louisiana Attorney General for violation of the Open Meetings Law. This lawsuit has yet to be resolved and the potential of a court ruling condemning Stormy and her Democrat commissioner partners in folly will hang over her campaign like the Sword of Damocles.
So, there you have it in a nutshell. Gage-Watts for Shreveport mayor: a black Democrat non-Shreveport resident female who supports Bernie Sanders and pickleball. The campaign spins on these facts are virtually endless.
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.