JOURNAL STAFF

For the first time in over 20 years, Shreveport voters have elected a Republican mayor.

Republican attorney Tom Arceneaux defeated Democratic state Senator Greg Tarver in Saturday’s runoff election. Arceneaux is the first Republican mayor since Bo Williams, who served a single term, left office in 1998.

“It’s very humbling; I’m very grateful,” said Arceneaux, who will take office on Dec. 31.

In an election that attracted just 30 percent of registered voters, Arceneaux received 56 percent of the vote compared to 44 percent for Tarver. They faced off in the runoff after finishing first and second in the 10-candidate field in the Nov. 8 primary.

Arceneaux served on the Shreveport City Council as the District C Councilman from 1982-90. He also served on the Board of Directors for Highland Restoration Association for 13 years, including five years as president.

“It’s not about winning an election,” Arceneaux told his supporters after the victory. “It’s about what comes afterward.”

As he thanked his supporters, Arceneaux repeated a campaign slogan: “We can do this!”

Then he added, “But there’s a whole lot more we can do.”

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