JOHN E. SETTLE JR. EDITOR FOCUS SB NEWS
Jim Taliaferro’s launch of his 2020 mayoral campaign will be viewed by many as a good tactic.
Others will say just the opposite.
No doubt one incentive for Taliaferro to put his stake in the ground is be the leading Republican for next year’s election, if not the only Republican.
Taliaferro and Lee O. Savage both ran for mayor in 2018 as Republicans. Many politicos attribute Taliaferro’s third-place finish in the primary to vote-splitting by Republicans.
Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has announced his intention to seek a second term. Perkins is a Democrat.
One can expect one or more other Democrat candidates in the 2022 mayoral primary.
Other mayoral wannabes may want to give serious thought to party affiliation for their campaign. In other words, what are the pros and cons of changing current voter registrations?
Voters can list practically any affiliation on their registrations. And they can change it as well before qualification.
Traditionally, Shreveport Republican candidates have not fared well against Democrat opponents with African-American voters. This is probably more true today after the divisive presidential election.
Thus, it can be anticipated that one or more candidates will run as “Independent” or “No Party” in next year’s mayoral battle. What impact this will have on a serious, well-funded campaign is a big unknown.
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE January 29 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB - THE INQUISITOR.