Senator Sam Jenkins issued a well-reasoned statement this week stating that he would NOT pursue an election for Shreveport mayor.
Jenkins has served Shreveport quite well as a Caddo commissioner, a Shreveport councilman, and a state representative. He is commended for his service as senator for northwest Louisiana, and for issuing his statement this week as it greatly affects the upcoming mayor’s race this year.
State Representative Tammy Phelps has advised KEEL radio that she is considering a mayoral bid. Caddo Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts announced her mayoral candidacy last month.
Phelps has many more qualifications to be the next Shreveport mayor than Gage-Watts. Here are some:
1. Tammy has a bona fide Shreveport residency while Stormy does not.
2. Tammy has an undergraduate and MBA college degrees, Stormy has no college degrees.
3. At the end of 2024, Tammy had $36,000 in campaign funds while Stormy had none reported to the Ethics Administration.
4. Tammy won a run-off election in 2019 where over 9000 votes were cast while Stormy won her commission seat in 2015 in an election with less than 1000 votes.
5. A state representative seat is considered to be more important elected position than a Caddo commissioner.
This list is non-inclusive.
The announcement by Jenkins may encourage other Democrat candidates to consider a mayoral campaign. Since Mayor Arceneaux’s Dec. 31. 2025 campaign ethics filing showed funds in excess of $550 thousand, any serious opponent will need to start raising campaign funds in a hurry.
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.