West Monroe's First Black Alderman, Rayville's Alderwoman

History was made in the city of West Monroe on March 26, 2022. On that Saturday, the first Black to hold representation on its city council as Alderman was elected by a majority vote. Local West Monroe resident Rodney Welch stepped into history and will now represent what many had called a forgotten voice in the city, its Black population, which never had someone who looked like them be their voice at council meetings. That all changed as Welch is poised to bring in a fresh face at council meetings. In the past, West Monroe's five aldermen were elected at large, not by districts, which meant that as long as an individual lived within the city limits, the top five vote-getters would become the five who would represent the city council. The Department of Justice intervened in how the Aldermen were elected after a suit was filed against the city. The city has about a 35% Black population, but no Black representation; a district was carved out so that there would be at least one Black representative on the council. A settlement with DOJ created the opportunity for West Monroe to have its first Black representative in city government, opening the field for a host of Black candidates that weren't there before now. Welch said that the platform that he ran on would be the one that he would bring to the council. Welch called his platform the "H-E-B Concept". Welch said that the 'H' stands for affordable housing for minorities. The 'E' stands for economic development, and 'B' stands for building relationships. We can hope that Mr. Welch will have much success in his endeavors. In Rayville, LA, political newcomer Consuela Hunter won the top votes of Alderpersons running at large in the Rayville, LA election. Congratulations to newly elected Alderpersons West Monroe - Rodney Welch and Rayville -Consuela Hunter!