Louisiana focused on Shreveport Senate race with two titans battling for only Democrat seat

All eyes are on a Shreveport-Bossier City state Senate race between political titans Cedric Glover and Sam Jenkins that is drawing statewide interest as one of only two undecided Senate campaigns and one of the dwindling number of Democratic seats in the Legislature.

Its importance also was elevated locally after Shreveport-Bossier lost a Senate seat to southern Louisiana when lawmakers redrew political boundaries in 2022, diminishing the political voice of the state's third-largest metro population.

Glover and Jenkins currently serve together in the state House as Democrats.

Jenkins finished first in the Oct. 14 primary election for the Senate District 39 seat with 34%. Glover finished second with 26%, squeaking into the runoff by 80 votes over Republican Jim Slagle. Former state Rep. Barbara Norton finished with 14% in the four-person race.

The runoff election is Nov. 18.

Jenkins and Glover both have similar extensive elective public service resumes.

Jenkins served on the Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission before winning election to the state House.

"My experience at every level gives me a unique perspective of the needs of Caddo and Bossier, not just the cities but the rural areas of the parishes," Jenkins said.

Glover was first elected to the Shreveport City Council and later as the city's mayor as well as twice serving in the state House.

"Each stop yielded significant accomplishments that benefited the people I represented," Glover said.

Both men also tout their ability build coalitions and reach across the aisle, which has become especially critical in a Legislature controlled by a supermajority of Republicans and for northwestern Louisiana, which has lost representation. The Senate will have 28 Republicans and 11 Democrats next year.

"Our biggest challenge is effectively securing resources to make us successful and viable," Glover said. "I've demonstrated my ability to do that. It's not enough just to be liked. You have to be effective."

Among the examples Glover noted: leading a major bond passage on the council that funded the city's modern parks and recreation system; shepherding the city as mayor when he said Shreveport had its lowest crime rate in history; being a leading voice in advocating for Ochsner to join what is now Ochsner LSU Health, the region's safety net hospital.

Jenkins, who rose to leadership in the House as chairman of the Democratic Caucus, also said he has a tangible record of effectiveness despite often facing headwinds of being in the minority party.

"I can amplify our region's voice in the Legislature when it's desperately needed," Jenkins said. "I will make sure we have a strong, united delegation to bring projects and funding critical to our area. Those priorities are bipartisan."

Among the examples Jenkins noted: one of the architects as part of the Caddo Parish Commission of the oil and gas reserve fund that has been used for emergencies, disasters and economic development; securing funding for an Interstate 20 Amtrak passenger rail; and passing a COVID-19 pandemic law that provided $250 stipends to front-line, essential workers.

Early voting for the Nov. 18 election begins Nov. 3.

More: Mike Johnson makes history as Louisiana's first speaker of the House of Representatives

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana focused on Shreveport-Bossier Senate race with two titans