U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy made an appearance.
Three of the four candidates for Foster Campbell’s Public Service Commission seat attended—Caddo Commissioner John Atkins, Bossier resident Austin Lawson, and Shreveport councilman James Green who arrived only in time for candidate summaries.
Four of the five announced Shreveport mayoral candidates fully participated—Mayor Tom Arceneux, Representative Tammy Phelps, Caddo Commissioner John-Paul Young and political newbie Michael Mays.
The fifth announced candidate, Caddo Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts, was absent. No reason was given for non-attendance. Both Stormy and her campaign confidant have declined to comment.
The event was the State of Black Shreveport’s symposium held at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church this past Saturday.
Gage-Watts has had very limited mainstream media interaction since her mayoral announcement on Jan. 14 of this year. She has declined an invitation to be a guest on the Mike and McCarty 710 KEEL morning radio show.
She has yet to publicly address the fact that her residence is outside the Shreveport city limits. On the day of qualifying, she must list a Shreveport residence. (Domicile is NOT a requirement to qualify.)
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.