Michael Williams, a former Caddo Parish Commissioner, has officially announced his candidacy for the mayoral race in Shreveport, Louisiana. Williams, who served 14 years on the Caddo Parish Commission, made his announcement at the Pamjora Art Society, surrounded by family, friends, and supporters.

Focus on Community and Experience

Williams is running under the campaign slogan, ‘Putting Shreveport First,’ and has outlined a platform that emphasizes public safety, economic development, infrastructure, and youth retention. He highlighted his extensive experience in public service and his efforts to tackle juvenile crime as key qualifications for leading the city. ‘No one in this race has more political experience or a stronger record of working to address juvenile crime in this community,’ Williams stated.

He also stressed the importance of bipartisan cooperation, urging elected leaders to prioritize the needs of residents over party politics. His brother, Charles Williams, expressed confidence in his leadership, stating, ‘We need a man who will come down and fight for the people, who’s going to do what he says he’s going to do.’

Overcoming Past Challenges

Williams’ political career has not been without challenges. In 2016, he was convicted of wire fraud and served 14 months in federal prison. Despite this, he is legally eligible to run for office and has returned to public life. His supporters believe that his past conviction does not overshadow his ability to lead and address the issues facing Shreveport.

With his candidacy, Williams joins a growing field of candidates for the upcoming November mayoral election. His campaign will likely focus on leveraging his past experience and addressing the pressing needs of the Shreveport community.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.