Alford: Mayoral elections offer political lessons There are rarely earth-shattering surprises found on election ballots in Louisiana, but there are always eyebrow-raisers among our local contests. Just a review of last month’s mayoral races in Bossier City, Lake Charles and Bastrop were proof enough. In what may have been the biggest local upset of the 2021 cycle, longtime incumbent Bossier City Mayor Lo Walker lost to challenger Tommy Chandler, 56% to 44%. Matt Kay of KDM Digital Solutions, who served as Chandler’s campaign manager, says the upset was made possible with a budget of just about $110,000. But time spent planning and preparing were the real keys to victory for Chandler, says Kay.