Seven Candidates Vie for Shreveport Mayor
Voters in Shreveport choose among seven mayoral candidates Tuesday, with a December 12 runoff possible if no one wins a majority.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in City Hall
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Seven candidates, including incumbent Mayor Tom Arceneaux, are running in Shreveport's mayoral election, with polls closing Tuesday at 8 p.m. A candidate must receive 50 percent plus one vote to win outright; otherwise the top two vote-getters advance to a runoff.
Why it matters
The outcome will determine who leads Shreveport's city government, and the runoff rule means a crowded field could extend the race to December 12. Voters are weighing a field that includes sitting and former elected officials alongside newcomers.
Seven candidates are on the ballot, and a winning candidate must receive 50 percent plus one vote. Vote totals and whether a December 12 runoff will be needed remain unknown until polls close.
The players
Tom Arceneaux
The incumbent mayor of Shreveport, seeking reelection in the crowded field.
Stormy Gage-Watts
A Caddo Parish commissioner and one of the seven candidates for Shreveport mayor.
John-Paul Young
A Caddo Parish commissioner and one of the seven candidates for Shreveport mayor.
Tammy Phelps
A Louisiana state representative and mayoral candidate in Shreveport.
Michael Williams
A former Caddo Parish commissioner running for Shreveport mayor.
The details
Candidates include Mayor Tom Arceneaux, Caddo Commissioners Stormy Gage-Watts and John-Paul Young, State Rep. Tammy Phelps, former Commissioner Michael Williams, business owner Sia Ravari, and real estate broker Chaunta Mero. The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate has profiled each candidate's background, experience, and plans for the city.
Timeline
Tuesday, 8 p.m.: Polls close for the Shreveport mayoral election.
Dec. 12: Scheduled runoff between the top two vote-getters, if no candidate wins a majority.
Political Context
Louisiana municipal elections use a 50 percent plus one vote threshold, so crowded fields like Shreveport's frequently produce runoffs rather than outright winners. Opposition voices and critics of incumbents typically focus on the city's fiscal management and public safety records, though specific counter-arguments in this race are not detailed in the available extraction.
Shreveport residents who vote Tuesday will choose the city's next mayor or narrow the field to two. If a runoff is needed, voters will return to the polls on December 12 to make the final choice.
The takeaway
Because a majority is required to win outright, a runoff on December 12 is possible if the field splits, so checking the results after Tuesday's 8 p.m. poll close will show whether the race ends then.
What happens next
If no candidate wins 50 percent plus one vote on Tuesday, the top two vote-getters will face each other in a runoff on December 12.
Further reading
Follow local coverage of City Hall for more on how Shreveport's government operates.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate.
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