SU Professor in race for Mayor-President

Not many people can say that their professor has a decent chance at becoming the next mayor-president of Louisiana’s capital city, but for students who have taken MCOM 331: African-Americans in the Media, it could happen as soon as tomorrow.
Enter Sharon Weston-Broome, candidate for mayor-president and adjunct instructor for the school of Mass Communication.
A native of Chicago, IL, Weston-Broome says she decided to throw her hat in the race for the same reason she decided to run for public office decades ago.
“I have a heart to serve this community,” said Weston-Broome, “I have a vision for the city some things that I believe I can be a part of changing.”
Weston-Broome, who has served as an elected official in the Louisiana legislature, says that becoming Mayor-President would offer herself in a greater way by becoming a uniter for Baton Rouge.
“I look at my experiences; they strategically position me to be the Mayor-President especially for a time such as this,” said Weston-Broome.
Weston-Broome was first inducted into Louisiana politics when she served on the Baton Rouge Metro Council.
By 1992, Weston Broome would serve as Louisiana State Representative of District 29, a position she held 12 years.
In 2008, Weston-Broome was elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the Louisiana house, making history as the first woman to ever hold that position.
“When you look at the experiences that I’ve had in politics, I believe they will add value because of the relationships I’ve built over the years,” said Weston-Broome
Senior Nursing major Myya Wallace and a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge gave her thoughts on Weston-Broome’s experience, “I think it’s awesome that she’s running for mayor especially since she has experience in working for the community and a historically black college.”
Wallace also stated that she believes this gives Weston-Broome more insight into what needs to happen in the community and what will benefit the community more.
No longer a stranger to Louisiana politics, Weston-Broome hopes to assume the office, power and responsibility that comes with managing the city of Baton Rouge.
Weston Broome stated just how important she believes the role of the mayor is and her vision for Baton Rouge she should be elected.
“The flood has certainly changed a lot of the dynamics of the city and our parish,” said Broome, “So it’s very important that as mayor that I lead the efforts to help in that rebuilding and revitalization process.”
Weston-Broome added that as mayor, it would be incumbent upon her to make sure that as a city and parish they do what they can to make the city whole again.
Weston-Broome also stated that it’s important to not forget the events that occurred before the flood citing the deaths of two Baton Rouge Police officers and North Baton Rouge native Alton Sterling.
Senior Public Relations major, Judson Meshack, gave his thoughts on what he sees as any person’s role when running for Mayor. “It’s incumbent upon any political figure to have what’s best for the city at heart, the safety of citizens should always come first.”
Among Weston-Broome’s other policies are reforms that she hopes will help offset crime and criminal behavior within the Baton Rouge area.
“Community policing is a vital component of public safety,” said Weston-Broome. “When people notice something taking place, folks will be more prone to connect with police because they built a relationship.”
Weston-Broome says that one of her short term goals is to help heal and unify the city of Baton Rouge and that it is her belief that communities “rise and fall together.”
“You can’t be a holistic and great city when part of your city is an A grade and the other part is a D grade,” stated Broome.
“I want to be a part of leading a community where people feel they can thrive and prosper.”
Weston-Broome said that she wants the student body to know that she believes in the value of innovation and creativity that comes from students at Southern University.
“I believe that I can add value to the lives of my students with the content that I present to them but I also believe the students add value to my life with the content they share with me.”
Weston-Broome shared that while running for Mayor-President, she had been enlightened by the concern of residents outside the city about the wellbeing of Baton Rouge.
“I really welcomed those comments and questions because they understand the interconnectedness we share as a community.”
Weston-Broome finished that the experience in running for mayor has been something she will never regret no matter what the outcome.
Students interested in satisfying their requirement for an African-American experience course can register for Professor Weston-Broome’s, African Americans in the Media, for the Spring semester depending on the outcome of Tuesday’s election.