Candidates in the 2026 election cycle gathered Tuesday evening at Huntington High School for a community candidate forum hosted by the Shreveport Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
The event drew voters from across Shreveport, members of the sorority, candidates and offices ranging from the U.S. Senate to the local school board and City Council, and representatives of local media.
While candidates from many of the races were represented, several prominent Shreveport incumbents were notably absent, including Mayor Tom Arceneaux and City Council members Ursula Bowman, Gary Brooks, Tabatha Taylor, and James Taliferro. Their absence became a topic of conversation among attendees, particularly as questions surrounding nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), data centers, utility costs, and government transparency continue to generate public concern.
With several City Council incumbents absent, Councilman Alan Jackson was left to address questions surrounding the proposed multibillion-dollar data center investment in West Shreveport. Jackson discussed the approximately $6 billion investment and its potential economic impact. His comments about the project received a noticeably reserved response from the audience, while questions and concerns surrounding NDAs remained part of the broader discussion among attendees.
Caddo Parish District Attorney James E. Stewart Sr. received applause as he discussed the progress of his office, including efforts addressing truancy and juvenile detention. Stewart also highlighted the addition of women investigators within the Domestic Violence Division and acknowledged that, despite the progress made, there remains more work to be done.
The absence of several city officials did not go unnoticed.
Audience members could be heard discussing the missing incumbents and questioning why elected officials were not present to answer directly to voters about issues affecting their neighborhoods.
“Why aren't they here? What's more important? We will remember this come election time,” said attendee Mattie Smith. “I came specifically to look my council member in the face and ask about my electric and water bills, and she's not here.”
Smith declined to identify the district in which she resides but added, “My council person knows who I am.”
The concerns expressed at the forum come amid heightened public discussion over the development of hyperscale data centers in Shreveport, the use of NDAs by public officials, potential impacts on electricity and water infrastructure, and whether residents have been given sufficient opportunities to question their elected representatives directly.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded in 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard University. The historically Black sorority has a longstanding commitment to sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action. The Shreveport Alumnae Chapter is led by Chapter President Judge Brittany Bass-Arvy.
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.