This is the second in a series of three opinion columns by Mario Chavez.
If Shreveport was a party, it’s a party, I’d be one. When I decided to run for Mayor of Shreveport, I spent a lot of time in prayer, talking to my wife, and talking to God’s counsel. One thing I learned is that God’s Word talks about principles. Hebrews 11:10 says, “For he was looking at a city with foundations, God being its craftsman and builder.” I came to be convinced that for a long time our city was creating a political base on the people. For too long in Shreveport, it has been about dividing people, families, and communities.
All you have to do is open social media; you will see the split. We need people in government positions to ensure that they serve the people. We want leaders who are not looking for a job, a job, or a title; we need people in office who really want to put Shreveport first. Almost every part of our city. We need to stop dividing communities in Shreveport. We need to find common ground in our city. We spend a lot of time looking at the diversity of our city, we want to start talking about what we have in common, celebrate and emphasize what unites us. Our city is crying out for leaders who focus on what will unite rather than what will divide.
The issues that plague Shreveport cannot be solved by one person, one party, or one idea. We know to truly change our city, it will take a community willing to put aside differences, come together, and work together to achieve a common goal. That common goal is a city we can be proud of. We’ve all been to other cities and seen amazing things and thought “why can’t Shreveport do this?” WE CAN. The Bible tells us that “People perish without a sign.” Shreveport has lost its vision. it’s not about running for political office, it’s about finding what divides us politically, racially, and economically, and putting those differences aside for the good of us all. the issues we are facing today are in one of the worst situations.
Shreveport’s buildings are falling apart as we fight politics.
Shreveport has lost hope while we fight politics.
The people of Shreveport are leaving while we fight politics.
Commissioner Mario Chavez: Shreveport’s crime-fighting plan
Politics and promises are not what is needed. From our recreation to our roadways, from our city services to the way we deal with crime and neglect, it is past time that we let our allegiance to one political party hinder our progress when we get home. Over the past six years, I have had the honor of serving nearly 20,000 residents in the Southern Hills. We’ve seen new businesses come to Southern Hills, create new community activities, clean up the neighborhood, and much more. It has been unbelievable. For a long time Shreveport was divided. It’s time to do in Shreveport what we did in Southern Hills. It’s time for us all to come together.
People know when you work for them. They know when you have their best interests at heart. I am very grateful if you ask the people of Southern Hills, they know that I have served them, and I will continue to serve them. My district has an African American majority, and as a Latino, I was able to bring the community together. That model is exactly what we will use throughout the city. Tough decisions must be made for our city, but those decisions must be good for all, not the few.
Many said that when I announced that I was running as “No Party” it was political suicide. That view shows a lack of understanding of what Shreveport wants and frankly needs. Such answers put politics before people. The numbers don’t lie. The Louisiana Secretary of State’s voter registration numbers for Caddo Parish have continued to decline. From July 2021 to July 2022 Caddo lost nearly 2,000 registered voters. Do you know the increase in registration that occurred in Caddo and Shreveport in the last year in terms of registration to vote, No Party or Other Party? The people of Shreveport are not only saying that they are fed up with politics, but they are also showing it by registering.
I realized that instead of asking people to cross party lines to vote for me, I would meet them in the middle. That is exactly what our campaign has done, what it will do, and what our time to serve you, the citizens of Shreveport will focus on doing. We wish to create a city focused on People over Politics.
Since we announced the “Non-Party” candidacy, many have asked, “Can I vote for you, even if I join a party?” Sure, you can. Louisiana conducts local and state elections using an open primary system. This means that regardless of your party, or even without a party, you can vote for Mario Chavez for Mayor. This is great news because Together, Shreveport Wins!
It’s time to vote People Over Politics for Shreveport!
