By Laura Hunt Miller
Choudrant residents heard from candidates for alderman, police chief and mayor Thursday evening as the village hosted its 2026 Candidate Forum at First Baptist Church of Choudrant.
After decades of residential growth, rising school enrollment and new development around the community, Thursday’s forum made one thing clear: Choudrant’s candidates see change coming.
Candidates for alderman were John Croswell, Donald Guilotte, Jake Haddox, Rick Maier, Corey Martin and Bryce Rodgers. John Clary and Willard Sullivan are seeking the police chief’s office, while Kip Franklin and Brandon Milner are running for mayor.
Improved infrastructure and steady economic growth were among the most frequently discussed topics. Candidates stressed the need to strengthen Choudrant’s sales-tax base while ensuring new development fits the character of the community. Suggestions ranged from restaurants and a grocery store to professional offices and light commercial development. Candidates also discussed the infrastructure and community improvements needed to support continued growth.
Alderman candidate Maier described the central challenge as protecting the quality of life that draws people to Choudrant while continuing to move the village forward. Martin similarly described the need to balance preservation and progress, saying village leaders should have a plan rather than simply accepting the first development opportunity that appears. Rodgers pointed to growth throughout the I-20 corridor and said Choudrant could benefit from that activity while still maintaining its identity.
The candidates for police chief focused largely on staffing, patrol coverage and community safety. Sullivan said additional officers and funding are needed to provide more consistent coverage as the village grows, while Clary emphasized manpower and partnerships, including reserve officers and cooperation with the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The village’s growth was central to the mayoral portion of the forum as well. Franklin said residential development is already bringing new families into the area, many of whom are drawn by Choudrant schools and the community’s reputation as a safe place to raise a family. He said village planning and zoning will play an important role as that development continues.
Milner said increasing the local tax base could provide additional resources for services ranging from police protection to infrastructure and schools. Both mayoral candidates also stressed the importance of directing development in a way that complements Choudrant rather than fundamentally changing its character as well.
Alcohol sales were another recurring topic throughout the evening, with several candidates voicing opposition to expanded alcohol availability in or around the village. Candidates noted that voters, rather than the board itself, will ultimately decide the propositions appearing on the ballot later this year.
While longtime Mayor Bill Sanderson was unable to attend because of his ongoing chemotherapy, he thanked residents by letter for coming to the event and urged them to listen carefully before deciding who should lead the village, writing, “The future of this community is dependent on placing the right people in office to lead our village.”
The question facing voters is not simply whether Choudrant will grow, but how they want it to grow while protecting the qualities its residents value. As Municipal Clerk Neelie Wilson said at the beginning of the forum, Choudrant is special “not just because it’s where we live, but because of the people who call it home.”
