Shreveport voters went to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, to decide a slate of local offices that will shape daily life in the city and surrounding Caddo Parish. The turnout, reported at 47.0% for the mayoral race, produced clear winners in most contests but left two key races headed for a Dec. 12 runoff.
Mayor’s race: According to the unofficial results posted by the Louisiana Secretary of State and reported by the Shreveport Bossier Journal, incumbent Mayor Tom Arceneaux led the seven‑candidate field with 19,331 votes (36%). Stormy Gage Watts trailed with 12,287 votes (23%), followed by John‑Paul Young (9,890 votes, 18%) and Tammy Phelps (8,689 votes, 16%). Because no candidate secured a majority, a runoff between the top two vote‑getters is expected once the full, multiparish totals are certified.
City Council: KSLA reported that five council seats were decided outright. Tabatha Taylor won District A, Gary Brooks took District B, Jim Taliaferro captured District C, Alan Jackson prevailed in District E, and Ursula Bowman secured District G. District F did not produce a majority; Billy Anderson Jr. and Lester Smith will face each other in a runoff on Saturday, Dec. 12, as required by Louisiana election law.
Congressional race: Rep. Mike Johnson, the 56th Speaker of the House, was re‑elected to Louisiana’s 4th District for a sixth consecutive term, according to KSLA. Speaking at a victory gathering at the Shreveport Convention Center, Johnson pledged to “double down” on the Republican agenda and to continue the “fight” for what he described as common‑sense policies.
Other notable contests: The Shreveport Bossier Journal noted that James E. Stewart Sr. won the 1st Judicial District Attorney’s race with 54% of the reported Caddo Parish vote, defeating Alan Seabaugh, who earned 41%. Voters also rejected a $60 million parishwide bond proposition, 58% to 42%, while a 25‑year, $9.04‑million continuation for Shreveport’s Downtown Development District passed narrowly, 52% to 48%.
What’s next: The city will await certification of the full, multiparish results before confirming the mayoral runoff participants. The District F council runoff is set for Dec. 12, and the mayoral runoff will be scheduled shortly after the certification process is complete. Residents should watch local news outlets for the final dates and any upcoming candidate forums.
Sources: shreveportbossierjournal.com, ksla.com, ksla.com, ksla.com
