After switching to Democrat, Allen won election as Shreveport's public utilities commissioner (1962-1970) and mayor (1970-1978).

Instead, local utilities commissioners are appointed to oversee operations and make policy decisions for each municipal utility.

"That's what going to the market does for you," said Marsha Smith, a public utilities commissioner in Idaho.

In 1946, Fant ran not for a full term as utilities commissioner but as mayor, under the city's then commission form of government.

From 1962-1970, he was the municipal public utilities commissioner.

He was associated with Allen Construction Company until he became utilities commissioner in 1962.

Allen served eight years as the elected public utilities commissioner under the former Shreveport commission form of government.

Guin, the former school board member, a civil engineer and a businessman, also entered a special election for utilities commissioner in 1977, when Collins resigned the post.

From 1969 to 1973, he was the Alexandria finance and utilities commissioner, having been elected over the long-term incumbent, fellow Democrat Leroy Wilson (1905-1978).

In 1977, Lanier scored a political comeback, not for utilities commissioner, for that position had been abolished in the new city charter.