Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is running for the United States Senate against incumbent Bill Cassiday.
The election date is the same as the presidential election on Nov. 3. Any runoff vote will be on Dec. 5.
Perkins will continue his elected position as mayor during the campaign. The Shreveport city charter does not require his resignation to seek another political office.
If successful in his senatorial campaign, Perkins must resign this position as mayor before taking the oath of office for the U. S. Senate.
A resignation by Perkins is effective once a resignation letter is received by the Louisiana Secretary of State.
A notice of vacancy is then declared and transmitted to the Shreveport city council who must than call a special election.
The Shreveport city charter provides that when the office is mayor is vacant the council chair serves as mayor pro tem.
In this capacity the chair "shall perform the duties and be vested with the powers of the office of mayor."
The charter also provides that the council chair shall serve as mayor pro tem at the request of the mayor and when the mayor is out of the state.
James Flurry is the council chair. If he is unable to serve as mayor pro tem, then council vice chair Levette Fuller assumes those duties
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.