By Lena W. Claybon
A Candidate’s Meet & Greet was held on Thursday, August 27, 2026 where the community was able to hear from local candidates running for office to hear about their backgrounds and their plans for office if they were to be elected. The forum was hosted by the Ruston Voter’s League and partners which included The Pinkie C. Wilkerson Foundation, the Louisiana Delta Chapter of Jack and Jill, The Delta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the GSU Inspiring Educator’s Club.
Each candidate was given two minutes to introduce themselves and talk about their platforms. Prior to the speeches by the Candidates, the host organizations took turns explaining each position and what that position was responsible for. Candidates on hand were:
Mayoral Candidates: Alvin Bradley (Grambling), Edward Jones (Grambling), Ronny Walker (Ruston) and William Falkner (Ruston)
City Council Candidates: John Brown, Mary Gipson, Davaria Ponton, Delores Smith, Jerry Lewis, Cathy Giles, David Ferguson and Garnett Wagner
Police Juror Candidates: Troy Brooks, Zakeisha R. Evans
School Board Candidates: Richard Anderson, Greta Carter, Evelyn Lewis Cooper, Aimee Blackman, Sandra Woods, Marsha Davis
District Judge Candidates: Lewis Jones, Phillip Ellis
City Judge Candidates: Gina Jones, Add Goff
U.S. House of Representative Candidate: Antonio Wilson
Upcoming candidate forums for the 2026 Lincoln Parish elections are scheduled throughout September and October 2026, hosted by organizations like and the Ruston Daily Leader.
Schedule and Locations
• September 21, 2026 (6:00 PM): Hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at the Grambling State University – Nursing Building.
• September 22, 2026 (6:00 PM): Mayoral Candidates (Choudrant, Dubach, Grambling, and Ruston) at the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center.
• September 29, 2026 (6:00 PM): Judicial Candidates (3rd Judicial District Judge Division B, and Ruston City Court Judge) at the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center.
• October 1, 2026 (6:00 PM): Parish & School Board Candidates (Lincoln Parish Police Jury District 9; School Board Districts 2, 11, and 12) at the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center.
• October 6, 2026 (6:00 PM): Municipal Candidates (Grambling City Council and Ruston Aldermen) at the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center.
Event Details
• Time: Doors open at 5:30 PM for a Meet & Greet; forums begin at 6:00 PM.
• Cost: Free and open to the public.
• Format: Attendees can submit questions for the candidates to answer.