Quentin Anderson Endorses Mayor Sharon Weston Broome for Reelection

Quentin Anthony Anderson, former Democratic candidate for Congress, formally endorsed incumbent Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome on Friday in the runoff election for East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President, highlighting the critical importance of qualifications and experience in leading the city-parish forward.

“This election is about ensuring East Baton Rouge Parish has competent and prepared leadership to address the serious challenges we face,” Anderson stated. “While I have concerns about some aspects of Mayor Broome’s tenure, including her handling of the Baton Rouge Police Department, her qualifications and understanding of municipal government make her the only viable choice in this race.”

Anderson acknowledged the profound disappointment surrounding the “Brave Cave” scandal, an incident that revealed the existence of a police interrogation facility used for alleged misconduct, including illegal strip searches and brutality. “Mayor Broome was elected in the wake of the tragic killing of Alton Sterling, with the hope that she would take bold action to reform a deeply troubled police department. Instead, incidents like the Brave Cave represent one of the most disheartening failures of her tenure—a symbol of injustice and neglect in the very communities that most needed her leadership,” Anderson said​.

Despite these concerns, Anderson emphasized the necessity of choosing a leader with the basic qualifications for the role. “This isn’t about overlooking shortcomings—it’s about recognizing the stakes. Sid Edwards is a well-meaning figure in our community, but he has shown neither the seriousness nor the preparedness to govern a city-parish as complex as East Baton Rouge. His lack of experience makes him susceptible to outside influence, particularly in a city known for letting money shape policy. We simply cannot afford to lower our standards.”

Anderson urged voters to approach this runoff with the city-parish’s future in mind. “We have real issues to address—crime, infrastructure, economic development—and the leader we elect must understand the complexities of the job from day one. While no candidate is perfect, Mayor Broome has the experience and knowledge necessary to navigate these challenges. That’s why she has my endorsement.”

The runoff election will take place on December 7th.