Community residents gathered on a crisp Wednesday, the 18th of January, 2023, at City Hall, based in Baton Rouge, La., as the metro council convened for a pivotal meeting. A key point of interest is the rapidly approaching runoff for the two remaining seats on the council. Having already elected 10 members, the council anticipates an intriguing contest in the next four-year term commencing this January. Among the competitors, an incumbent Republican braces to withstand the onslaught of a Democrat contender, while two novices vie for their first-ever council positions.
The battle for District 1 is particularly absorbing, as the Mayor-Pro Tempore, well regarded in his northern district, including Zachary, readies for his re-election campaign. He is a steadfast Republican, earmarking his bid for a dignified second term. However, a Democrat with no prior political experience hopes to unsettle him. Worth noting is the keenly watched electoral contest of the area just beneath the serving district, slated for the ballot on December 7.
The throne of District 2 is also contested as the current member’s term limit approaches its end. Aspirants to take her place include two prominent community thought-leaders, both hoping to mark their debut on the council. Since being elected in 2020, and assuming office a year later, the Pro Tempore has donned the mantle of the council’s Pro Tempore, having assumed the role in August.
His promotion to the prestigious Pro Tempore role followed a nail-biting voting session among his colleagues who, after an exhaustive ballot process, conferred upon him the honor to preside. At 41, the Pro Tempore comes bearing the envious promise of continuing infrastructure enhancements in his northern district. Particular attention is given to the catalytic growth and proliferation of critically needed bridge projects – a key pillar of his re-election campaign.
The initial round of elections saw a closely contested three-pronged competition among the candidates. Nudging the nerves of the incumbent, a 59-year-old challenger is mustering his forces for his very first political battle. He candidly admits that his quest for the coveted seat is fueled by his urgency to improve the badly neglected rural zones of the parish, which he laments, ‘are falling apart.’
The challenger’s love for his city, Zachary, is conspicuously profound as he declares, ‘I have no problem with the city of Zachary growing, it can bloom like a rose each day.’ However, his concern for the city’s fringes, which seem distressingly abandoned, explicitly underlines his ardent election manifesto. According to him, the outlying areas of Zachary are ‘dying.’ The Democrat challenger asserts that the Metro Council’s efforts have scarcely scratched the surface in ameliorating the conditions in these areas, especially when juxtaposed with other parochial infrastructure projects.
The contestants for District 2 are largely composed of two Democrats who have been fairly active within Baton Rouge and their district. Interestingly, one of them, a youthful 40-year old, dons the lead organizer mantle for a locally significant project and has donned multiple significant roles in his career. Curiously, his platform appears focused on public safety, flood mitigation, and development of ‘underserved and neglected’ communities.
Another interesting nominee to consider is a candidate with a distinct political background. This individual is a former legislative aide to state representatives and, if successful, would form the vanguard of the Metro Council’s youth movement next year at a mere 27 years. As a current Vice Chairman of a local economic development district and various roles within a local civic organization, he’s managed to scrape together a patchwork of professional experiences.
Always one to prioritize, economic development sits firmly at the helm of his platform. He aspires to be the driving force behind infusions of new business into the community, should he ascend to the coveted Metro Council membership. His ambition is to incentivize the inflow of entrepreneurship, bringing fresh vitality and innovative ideas to the community.
As intriguing as the District 1 elections may seem, the District 2 contests equally carry their share of suspense and excitement. Both Democrats vying for this seat bring a distinct set of skills and experiences to the table. However, it is noteworthy that both beings bring nothing substantial or fresh in their respective agendas or platforms.
Without a doubt, the undertaken initiatives and projects by these Democrats seem pleasing on paper. Nonetheless, the question lingers as to whether these pie-in-the-sky plans, most commonly associated with the Democrats, can be effectively executed. Tangible results and performance have yet to reveal themselves. Historically, the propensity for such picturesque promises has proven to create inflated expectations among the public.
Reflecting on the Republicans’ tenure into office, the robust development strides made in infrastructure, particularly in northern Zachary, are undisputed. The incumbent Republican councilman offers a proven track record of action and results, not lofty words. His commitment to silently strengthen the bridges, without neglecting other essential facets of infrastructure, served his constituents remarkably well.
Meanwhile, the Democrats, seemingly locked in a fierce competition for the District 2 seat, seem more involved in the political arena for the accolades than for public service. The propensity for pursuing crowd-pleasing narratives, without necessary heft, threatens to make this purely a power grab.
As election fever grips the city, the choice seems apparent- between proven Republican leadership embarking on meaningful, visible actions, opposed to Democrat contenders filled with promises lacking substance and community engagement. Time shall reveal the direction Baton Rouge chooses to venture towards.