Shreveport’s next mayor will be decided in about 2 weeks. Yes, December 8 is virtually “just around the corner.”
It’s no surprise that upstart Adrian Perkins has the edge in this race. If one has any doubts, consider that Perkins recently raised over $100 grand, as in $100,000 dollars in a 3 day span.
The November 6 primary was, in effect, a referendum on the Tyler administration. Since 74% of the voters pulled levers for her opponents, its apparent that her job rating was seriously questioned.
With the possible exception of name recognition, Perkins has the advantage in practically every measurable factor in the run-off election.
He certainly has the edge in age and energy. Perkins is 33; Tyler is almost 74.
Perkins can campaign full time. Tyler, to her credit, is still performing her duties as mayor.
Perkins has energized voters that have generally not participated, or at least actively, in the political process. In addition to voting, his younger (40 and under) supporters have literally taken to the streets to drum up support for him.
With his gigantic fundraising spree, there is little doubt that Perkins has more money in his campaign till than Tyler. This fundraising advantage is expected to continue. (The next campaign financial reports are not due until December 18.)
To top it off, the news for the Tyler administration has gone from bad to worse since the primary election.
Crime is continually in the media, and especially the murder of the pizza delivery person and the couple that gave a ride to a stranger.
And then there was the Crump retirement/medical leave circus. That saga left more egg on Tyler’s face than on her hand picked police chief, Alan Crump.
When Tyler named Ben Raymond as the substitute Shreveport Police Chief, she praised Raymond’s credentials that she reviewed when selecting Crump. Tyler all but said Raymond would have been the best choice.
Her stated rationale of going with Crump because he was black did not endear her to citizens both black and white.
To top it off, in his first media interview Raymond acknowledged that Shreveport has a gang problem. Tyler and Crump always denied the existence of gangs in Shreveport.
Tyler’s re-election campaign has never had much real energy, and seemingly what air was still left in the balloon gushed out when the primary vote was announced. Nothing her campaign has done since November 7 indicates a viable re-grouping in any real form or fashion.
Compare that reality to the upbeat, highly energized campaign of Perkins which has certainly picked up after the Tuesday Primary. There is little doubt that his campaign momentum has accelerated each day since then and that it will continue through the December 8 general election.
Perkins does not have an election victory ‘in the bag”. But he certainly has his hands on it and his clutch is tightening.
Tyler can expect Perkins to keep his campaign machine in over drive. Perkins has endorsements of 5 elected officials and now that of the Shreveport Police Officers Association, which is as they say a “biggie.”
More meaningful endorsements for Perkins are expected.
As Yogi Berra would say, ‘it ain’t over until its over.” Others say its not over until the fat lady sings.
Although Tyler may have a brief campaign spurt, its safe to say that the fat lady is warming up her vocals off stage. Baring a major campaign catastrophe it’s highly likely Perkins will be Shreveport’s next mayor.
(This article was/will be published in The Inquisitor on Friday, November 23, 2018)