Denham Springs Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
John
Cavalier
John Cavalier is running for mayor of Denham Springs in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Jim Gilbert and Ben Harris.
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The race · Mayor
- 01John CavalierYou’re reading
- 02Jim Gilbert
- 03Ben Harris
Background
- About
- Owner of Cavalier House Books and a member of the Denham Springs Planning and Zoning Commission. He also serves on the city's Historic Commission and helped write the Denham Strong recovery plan after the 2016 flood.
- On the ballot as
- No Party
- Campaign website
- johncavalier.com
Ben Harris chose not to attend a forum where John Cavalier and Jim Gilbert debated traffic, flooding and master plans. WBRZ · Sep 1, 2026
On the record: John Cavalier
9 sourced01Master plan1 sourced position
Says the city code has required the planning commission to adopt a master plan since 1987 and that starting one would be among his first acts as mayor.
If our zoning map and regs tell us what is allowed where, then a master plan tells us why.”
Own statementJohn Cavalier for Mayor · Sep 14, 2026Link
02Rivendell Acres subdivision2 sourced positions
Voted no on the 39-lot Rivendell Acres preliminary plat near Hatchell Lane (denied 3-4, Jan. 2025).
Commission voteDenham Springs Planning Commission minutes, Jan. 13, 2025 · Jan 13, 2025Link
Voted no on a 12-month extension of the Rivendell Acres preliminary plat (approved 3-2, July 2026).
Commission voteDenham Springs Planning Commission minutes, July 13, 2026 · Jul 13, 2026Link
03Neglected properties1 sourced position
as reported by The Livingston Parish News; not a direct quote
Favored using the city's existing cleanup and lien procedures for neglected properties rather than allowing them to be sold.
Forum answerLivingston Parish News · Sep 2, 2026Link
04Walking and biking1 sourced position
Calls for adopting the Complete Streets Ordinance drafted with the city's 2020 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
It is the lowest hanging fruit in the entire plan. It costs nothing to adopt.”
Own statementJohn Cavalier for Mayor · Sep 21, 2026Link
05Annexation1 sourced position
as reported by The Livingston Parish News; not a direct quote
Said he would consider annexation if the city weighs the benefits and costs, and named the Cook Road extension corridor as an area to discuss.
Forum answerLivingston Parish News · Sep 2, 2026Link
06Housing1 sourced position
Moved to approve rezoning a lot on Cockerham Road from R-1 to R-2 for duplexes (approved 4-1, Oct. 2025).
Commission voteDenham Springs Planning and Zoning Commission minutes, Oct. 13, 2025 · Oct 13, 2025Link
07Police and fire1 sourced position
Said police and fire pay should be addressed first, and proposed quarterly town halls with first responders.
We’ve seen a lot of our officers being basically lured away by better salary packages and better perks”
Forum answerLivingston Parish News · Oct 20, 2026Link
08Small business1 sourced position
Said the role of city government should be helping small businesses.
The role of government should be helping small businesses.”
Forum answerLivingston Parish News · Oct 20, 2026Link
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