Changes

Allen first won a lopsided victory in the Democratic [[primary]] over KEEL [[radio]] general manager Marie Gifford (1917-2004), a native of [[Oklahoma]] who stressed downtown revitalization and civil rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=94173845|title=Marie Battey Gifford Wright|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=May 8, 2013}}</ref>

Allen first won a lopsided victory in the Democratic [[primary]] over KEEL [[radio]] general manager Marie Gifford (1917-2004), a native of [[Oklahoma]] who stressed downtown revitalization and civil rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=94173845|title=Marie Battey Gifford Wright|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=May 8, 2013}}</ref>

Then in the general election on November 3, 1970, Allen defeated Shreveport businessman Edward Leo "Ed" McGuire (1914-1983), the first Republican since [[Reconstruction]] even to run for Shreveport mayor. A native of  [[New England]] and an in-law of Shreveport 1st Judicial District Judge [[Thornton F. Bell]], McGuire was a one term six-year member of the Caddo Parish School Board. He served alongside two other Republicans, [[Billy Guin]] and Joel B. Brown. They were all elected at-large, laetr by specific districts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=McGuire&GSfn=Edward&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=20&GScnty=1117&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=129524082&df=all&|title=Edward Leo McGuire, Jr.|publisher=Findagrave.com|author=Shawn Bohannon|date=May 9, 2014|accessdate=March 3, 2015}}</ref>  Allen's margin over McGuire was by landslide proportions, 63-37 percent. He forged a winning coalition of African Americans, blue-collar  whites, and local businessmen that would dominate Shreveport politically for most of the remaining years of the 20th century. Elected with Allen in 1970 were Public Utilities Commissioner William A. "Bill" Collins, Public Works Commissioner [[Donald E. Hathaway]], Sr., Finance Commissioner Dwight Saur, and Public Safety Commissioner George Wendell D'Artois (1925-1977).

Then in the general election on November 3, 1970, Allen defeated Shreveport businessman Edward Leo "Ed" McGuire (1914-1983), the first Republican since [[Reconstruction]] even to run for Shreveport mayor. A native of  [[New England]] and an in-law of Shreveport 1st Judicial District Judge [[Thornton F. Bell]], McGuire was a one term six-year member of the Caddo Parish School Board. He served alongside two other Republicans, [[Billy Guin]] and Joel B. Brown. They were all elected at-large, laetr by specific districts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=McGuire&GSfn=Edward&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=20&GScnty=1117&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=129524082&df=all&|title=Edward Leo McGuire, Jr.|publisher=Findagrave.com|author=Shawn Bohannon|date=May 9, 2014|accessdate=March 3, 2015}}</ref>  Allen's margin over McGuire was by landslide proportions, 63-37 percent. He forged a winning coalition of African Americans, blue-collar  whites, and local businessmen that would dominate Shreveport politically for most of the remaining years of the 20th century. Elected with Allen in 1970 were Public Utilities Commissioner William A. "Bill" Collins, Public Works Commissioner [[Donald E. Hathaway]], Sr., Finance Commissioner Dwight Saur, and Public Safety Commissioner George D'Artois

Not until 1990 did a Republican, Hazel F. Beard, win the mayor's race. When she stepped down after a single term in 1994, another Republican, Robert W. "Bo" Williams succeeded her. Williams was then unseated by the Democrat Keith Hightower in 1998.​ Beard is an aunt of long-term Caddo Parish [[Sheriff]] [[Steve Prator]].​

Not until 1990 did a Republican, Hazel F. Beard, win the mayor's race. When she stepped down after a single term in 1994, another Republican, Robert W. "Bo" Williams succeeded her. Williams was then unseated by the Democrat Keith Hightower in 1998.​ Beard is an aunt of long-term Caddo Parish [[Sheriff]] [[Steve Prator]].​