It’s hard to keep count of those who SAY they will run for Shreveport mayor this fall. One will not really know until qualifying ends on August 7.
The latest to declare for Shreveport’s top spot is Chaunta Mero who decided to jump from her announced District D council race to run for the top spot.
No doubt Tim Euler, who has countless District D council campaign signs throughout the district, can now breathe a sigh of relief. The current District D representative Grayson Boucher is termed out and cannot seek council re-election.
Mero’s announcement includes the usual puffing along with the “call of God” that many candidates trumpet.
The current mayor’s candidate list is believed to include the Mayor Tom Arceneaux, State Representative Tammy Phelps, Caddo Commissioner John-Paul Young, Caddo Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts, former Caddo Commissioner Michael Williams, and one or two no-names.
Mero served as former Mayor Adrian Perkins' confidential secretary which is a dubious distinction after Perkins could not muster enough votes to make the run-off election in 2022. She may have the list of big-time Perkins supporters, but that train has long left the station, derailed and been scrapped.
At least Mero has a Shreveport residence, which puts her ahead of Gage-Watts who presented an unauthorized resolution to U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.
In the meantime, Mayor Arceneaux is enjoying the benefits of incumbency with press conferences, Ford Park fireworks on Friday, and many media photo-ops that keep him front and center before Shreveport voters in a positive light.
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.