Episode 119 Barrow Peacock - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home

How to work across the aisle and get transformative projects done like the new Jimmie Davis Bridge are at the core of this week's discussion. You can find my full discussion with Barrow Peacock here.

Here are the questions I asked:

0:28 1. Many people know you as Senator Peacock. But before you became Senator Peacock, you ran four unsuccessful campaigns for both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature.

Let’s start here today.

What convinced you initially to pursue political office? And how did you overcome the initial setback of four defeats to persist?

3:38 2. You were very involved during your 12 years in the State Legislature with the Jimmie Davis Bridge. Tell me some about this long, difficult project and where it is today.

8:28 3. You had a reputation as someone who could work across the aisle. There’s a story where your first vote as senator was the lone “nay” in the election of President John Alario for the 2012 term, after which you asked President Alario for a ride to New Orleans for that night’s BCS game between LSU and Alabama.

In a community where politics often continues to separate us, what are some words of wisdom you can share with the rest of us to help us to get along and work better with those who may think differently than us?

12:36 4. How did you decide when to tackle an issue and/or author a bill?

16:22 5. You had a very impactful and effective 12 years as State Senator, including serving as Chair of the Senate Retirement Committee and the Judiciary A Committee. As you look back on your time in the State Senate, talk to me a little about your legacy. What do you count among your greatest accomplishments? How about your biggest regrets?