Adrian Perkins

Adrian Perkinsis a Democratic Party politician and the mayor of his native Shreveport, Louisiana. On December 8, 2018, Perkins defeated incumbent Ollie Tyler, a fellow Democrat, in a run-off election. This was Perkins' first run for office.

Adrian Perkins was born in the Cedar Grove neighborhood of Shreveport to Johnny and Archie Perkins. He attended Captain Shreve High School where he was a member of the student council and the varsity football, basketball and track and field teams.

Inspired to join the United States Army following the September 11 attacks, Perkins sought and received an appointment to the United States Military Academy, a United States service academy located in West Point, New York. While at West Point, Perkins was the first African-American cadet to be selected class president in the 215-year history of the institution.

After leaving the army in 2015, Perkins attended Harvard Law School, at which he earned his Juris Doctor.

Upon graduation, Perkins was commissioned as a field artillery officer and posted at Fort Stewart, Georgia. During his career, Perkins was also posted at Fort Sill, Fort Benning, and Fort Campbell and served deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Perkins achieved the rank of captain and company commander before separating from the army in 2015.

Perkins is a Bronze Star recipient.

Economic development

Perkins supports expanding Shreveport's budding tech industry through "facilitating the growth of local entrepreneur's ideas and businesses by investing and promoting their models."

Energy

Perkins support expanding Shreveport's oil and gas industry, one of the largest industries and employers in the state of Louisiana.

Infrastructure

Perkins supports infrastructure investments for the Shreveport Regional Airport and city water and sewage systems.

After taking office, Perkins soon called for an $18 monthly fee for residential and commercial garbage pick-up to be added to municipal water bills. The city council, however, rejected Perkins' proposal in a six-to-one vote but held out the possibility of a garbage fee at a lesser amount.

Public safety

Perkins aims to increase public safety by "(1) identifying at-risk youth heading for trouble and offering an alternative route; (2) working alongside the Caddo District Attorney's office to implement programs for job training; (3) building a robust and effective economic stimulation plan that will offer jobs instead of incarceration; and (4) listening to our first class police officers, city leaders, and our community to develop more tailored policing methods."

Saggy pants ordinance

Perkins announced in May 2019 that he opposes his city's ban on persons wearing saggy pants in public. The city council is considering dropping the ordinance which was enacted in 2007. The matter promptly attracted national attention. Opposition stems from the fact that 98 percent of those arrested for violation of the ordinance are African Americans. And 100 percent of youth cited for violation of the law are blacks.

On April 26, 2018, Perkins announced he would be running for mayor.

On November 6, 2018, Perkins came in first with 17,466 votes and 28.86% during the blanket primary, yet failed to garner a required 50 percent plus one vote to win outright.

On December 8, 2018, Perkins handily defeated incumbent Ollie Tyler in the runoff to become the 58th mayor of Shreveport and its third consecutive black mayor.