One of legendary New York Yankees catcher and manager Yogi Berra’s famous quotes is “it’s not over till it’s over.”
That was the case for candidates qualifying for elected positions in Shreveport and Caddo Parish, which ended at 4:30 p.m. this past Friday (August 7.)
For those seeking election it was nervous three days, starting Wednesday morning, waiting to seek if they would be opposed and if so, by whom.
Politicos also watched with earnest the Secretary of State website to identify candidates.
Here is a list of those that qualified that are of interest.
1. Treneisha Jackson Hill qualified to run for an open Caddo judgeship when Hugo Holland was thought to have a lock on the seat. Hill is a Caddo Assistant District Attorney (ADA) and is a black female Democrat. Holland is former Caddo ADA and he is a white male Republican.
2. Shreveport councilman Grayson Boucher filed for Shreveport city marshal in a second attempt for election to this post.
3. Hanh Williams, a Republican, filed against Democrat Incumbent Tabatha Taylor for District A, Shreveport City Council.
4. Mark Black, a no party candidate, filed against incumbent Tim Taliaferro for Shreveport City Council District C.
5. Tim Euler was the only candidate to file for Shreveport City Council District D.
6. Caddo Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts, whose primary residence is outside the Shreveport city limits, qualified for mayor using the address of her mother-in-law which is in the city limits.
7. Eric Hatfield qualified for Justice of the Peace in a ward that is outside his primary residence.
8. Donald Nowatzke qualified for Blanchard mayor using an address that is not in Blanchard city limits.
9. Sia Fakhriravan qualified for mayor after first registering to vote in Caddo Parish.
10. Chaunta Mero qualified for mayor after first announcing for the Shreveport City Council D which does not include her residence.
11. Joni Lindsay qualified for Mooringsport mayor to challenge incumbent Tyler Gordon.
12. Heather Courtney filed for an open Caddo district judgeship and the first-time candidate was not opposed.
13. Amy Brainard qualified for SHREVEPORT CITY COURT and she was unopposed
14. Michael Lafitte filed for Caddo school board to oppose incumber Katie McLain.
15. Paige Hoffpaur filed for Caddo school board to opposed incumbent Kristin Parsons.
16. Emma Shepherd filed for the Caddo school board to oppose incumbent Jeri Bowen.
17. Former Caddo school board member Susannah Poljak filed for an open Caddo school board seat.
18. Angela Willis filed for Caddo School Board against incumbent Terrance Vinson.
19. Anthony Johnson filed for the third time to run for Shreveport city marshal to oppose incumbent James Jefferson.
Readers who review the long list of qualified candidates may spot more “interesting candidates” and they are invited to send in their comments.
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.