Unannounced candidates qualify for Shreveport mayoral election; incumbent to qualify Friday

Kendrick Dante, Shreveport Times
·2 min read

The 2022 Shreveport mayoral’s race will include more Republican and Independent candidates than previously announced as well as a Libertarian candidate voters learned Thursday as the second day of qualifying ended for candidates.

The new Republican and Independent candidates are Melvin Slack and Julius Romano, respectively. The Libertarian candidate is Lauren Ray Anderson.

Announced candidates incumbent mayor Adrian Perkins and Louisiana state Senator Gregory Tarver had not qualified by the end of business hours Thursday.

Perkins said through a press release sent to the media Thursday that he would qualify Friday at 11 a.m.

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins speaks at the 35th Annual Let The Good Times Roll Festival.
Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins speaks at the 35th Annual Let The Good Times Roll Festival.

In addition, announced candidate Darryl R Ware II had not qualified by the end of Thursday.

On the other hand, announced candidates Republican Tom Arceneaux, Independent Mario Chavez and Democrat Tracy Mendels had qualified by the end of Thursday.

More: Hear all Shreveport mayoral candidates speak on city’s issues at this forum next week

In the Shreveport City Council elections, the incumbents who have announced re-election campaigns - Democrat Tabatha Taylor of District A, Republican Grayson Boucher of District D, Democrat Alan Jackson of District D and Democrat James Green of District F - had all qualified by the end of Thursday.

At the moment, three candidate for the Council face no opposition - Boucher, Green and Republican Caddo Parish Commission Jim Taliaferro who is seeking election to the District C seat to be abandoned by incumbent John Nickelson.

City Councilwomen Tabatha Taylor, photographed on March 19, 2022, at Booker T Washington High School.
City Councilwomen Tabatha Taylor, photographed on March 19, 2022, at Booker T Washington High School.

As of now, the most populated races are in District E where Jackson will face Republican Tony Nations and Democrat Alvin Oliver, and in District G where incumbent Jerry Bowman has termed out. Bowman’s wife Democrat Ursula Bowman will face three candidates for her husband’s seat: Democrats Carla Buntyn, Derrick L. Henderson and Antonio Washington.

More: Who's running for Shreveport City Council in 2022?

At the end of Thursday, Districts A and B both had two candidates who qualified. In District A, Taylor and Democrat Kinsey Montgomery. In District B, Democrats Gary Brooks and Mavice Hughes Thigpen. 

Friday is the last day for candidates seeking office to qualify for the 2022 elections.

Kendrick Dante writes for the USA Today Network and is a government watchdog reporter in Shreveport, Louisiana. He enjoys cooking, concerts, and content. Email him at kdbrown1@gannett.com or connect on Twitter @kendrickdante.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: More candidates than expected qualify for Shreveport mayoral race