By Ian Robinson | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Republican Caddo Parish Commissioner John-Paul Young reported more contributions than any other Shreveport mayoral candidate while incumbent Republican Mayor Tom Arceneaux holds the biggest war chest, according to the latest campaign finance filings ahead of Election Day.
Young reported $173,430.26 in contributions, spent $118,568.38 and ended the filing period with $54,861.88 on hand. Arceneaux raised less during the period but entered it with a much larger balance, allowing him to finish with about $332,252 available, the most among the candidates.
Young largely financed his campaign himself, personally contributing $130,000.
Young said he put his own money into the race to pay for campaign advertising and purposely avoided contributions from people he believed could expect something in return. He said he did not want to take money from “big dollar city contractors,” landlords or other political power brokers who might expect influence if he is elected.
“My goal is to be the most honest mayor that Shreveport has ever had,” Young said.
Arceneaux’s cash advantage came largely from money his campaign already had on hand.
Arceneaux told The Center Square he believes the support of a large number of supporters willing to make significant investments in a campaign is a reflection of the ability of a candidate to lead and to build a team to move the city forward.
“I am honored that over 700 contributors have chosen to be part of Team Arceneaux with contributions ranging from $10 to the maximum $6,000,” Arceneaux said. “It not only helps to fund a campaign, it indicates broad support in the community as a whole.”
Among the four Democrats in the race, state Rep. Tammy Phelps reported the most cash contributions at $64,050, followed by Caddo Parish Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts with $46,511.
“The relationships that I’ve built and the voter confidence over the last couple of years, I think it speaks for itself in the support that was given,” Phelps told The Center Square.
Phelps said her campaign plans to use its remaining resources to continue its message out through social media, television, radio, canvassing, door-knocking and phone calls in the final weeks of the race.
Democrat Chaunta Mero reported $2,367.88 in cash contributions and $1,789.52 in in-kind contributions, while Democrat Michael Williams reported no contributions from donors and instead financed his campaign with a $14,504.42 personal loan. The filings report that Williams spent the full amount and ended the period with no cash in hand.
No party candidate Siarosh “Sia” Fakhriravari reported $6,150 in cash contributions, all from himself, in addition to a $100 in-kind contribution.
Early voting runs Oct. 20 through Oct. 27, excluding Sunday, Oct. 25. Election Day is Nov. 3.
If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two will advance to a Dec. 12 runoff.