Three qualify to run for Monroe Mayor in 2024, including incumbent and former mayor
Monroe City voters will have the opportunity March 23, 2024, to vote for mayor as the city's top office will be up for election this year.
Qualifying was Dec. 13-15, and some familiar faces are vying for the mayor's office.
Friday Ellis
Incumbent Mayor Friday Ellis defeated former mayor Jamie Mayo in the July 11, 2020, primary.
A former small-business owner, Ellis was elected on a platform that included public safety, flood mitigation, infrastructure improvement and retaining local businesses. He plans to continue the momentum he's built during his term, if elected for a second term.
"When I took office in 2020 amidst the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Monroe faced critical infrastructure, operational and community issues," Ellis said in a news release. "We've systematically addressed many of them and are on the verge of completing those that remain. I seek the support of Monroe voters who share my belief that our city is on the right track and must stay the course, implementing improvements benefiting all citizens."
"I am running for re-election to carry out our strategic vision, so our city does not regress. I am enthusiastic about the pending growth and initiatives already underway. I believe the majority of Monroe residents recognize and appreciate the improvements made and desire the continued revival of our great city."
Some accomplishments during Ellis' first term include pay increases for police and fire personnel, the implementation of state-of-the-art technology helping reduce crime, collaborating with regional mayors and legislators to secure funding to promote a passenger rail service, flood mitigation and major drainage projects and improvements to Monroe recreation centers and zoo.
Jamie Mayo
Former mayor Jamie Mayo served in office for more than 19 years. He was named interim mayor in 2001 following the death of Melvin Rambin and won a special election for the office, and maintained the office until he was defeated by Ellis in the July 11, 2020, primary.
He announced his bid to seek the Monroe mayoral office in August with intentions to aggressively pursue his former position.
"Last time, I was the huntee and he [Friday Ellis] was the hunter," Mayo told The News-Star at his Aug. 24 campaign announcement. "This time, I'm the hunter and he's the huntee because he has a record, and its not very good, especially as it relates to crime and economic development, because there hasn't been any announcement, whatsoever, about anybody coming, and one of the reasons is because of the ills that we have in the community that need to be addressed − education and the violent crime rate."
His priorities for his 2024 campaign agenda include economic development, education and crime.
Betty Ward-Cooper
Betty Ward-Cooper has served on the Monroe City School Board since 2018 and was reelected unopposed in 2022.
She served as president of the school board in 2020 and has chaired and served on the board's Curriculum, Policy and Finance committees. She is a former faculty member within the College of Business at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and formerly worked as a teacher and librarian for the Ouachita Parish School System.
If elected, Ward-Cooper indicated she plans to focus on crime, youth development programs, economic development, small-business enterprises, affordable home ownership and establishing semi-annual community meetings in each council district.
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This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Here's who qualified to run for Mayor of Monroe in 2024
