Running for Office: Baker mayor
Leroy Davis
BAKER — Pledging to focus on economic development if elected in the March 24 primary election, Leroy Davis is seeking to return to his old job of being mayor of Baker.
Davis, a 67-year-old Democrat, served 3½ years as mayor and nine years as a Baker councilman, having been the first African-American candidate elected to both positions.
Davis said that if elected, he would focus on bringing new businesses and jobs to Baker and reduce “skyrocketing” water and other utility bills. He said he also would reinstate senior citizen discounts for water and sewer service.
Davis said he is a proven job creator and helped bring a Super Walmart store, Exxon on the Run, Murphy’s Discount Gas, Subway, Wendy’s and other businesses to Baker while he was mayor.
He said he considers his experience in office, knowledge of Baker city government and its ordinances and procedures and his community service accomplishments as some of his most important qualifications.
Davis received a doctoral degree in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois and served as a college professor and administrator at Southern University and Alcorn State University.
He has been an officer of the Baker Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, member of the executive council of Istrouma Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, and received Scouting’s Silver Beaver award.
Davis is an Army veteran, member of American Legion Post 502, a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and a member of Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church.
He is married to Elaine Griffin Davis, a retired assistant director of the state Education Department’s Special School District and current president of the Baker School Board. They have two sons and four grandchildren.
He is opposed by Don Kyer, incumbent Mayor Harold Rideau and Monteic Sizer.