Stephen L. Gunn

Stephen Lee "Steve" Gunn (born May 12, 1946) is the departing Independent mayor of his hometown of Montgomery (population 787 in 2000) in northern Grant Parish in north central Louisiana. Previously from 1992–1996, Gunn was a "No Party" member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 22 (Catahoula, Grant, and La Salle parishes plus one precinct in Rapides Parish).^[1]

Gunn's maternal great-aunt, Lula Wardlow, was also a mayor of Montgomery. A Methodist minister and denominational leader, Mrs. Wardlow was mayor from 1926-1930. A Democrat, she was the first woman ever to be elected mayor of any community in Louisiana.^[2]

Gunn was born to Murrell Harrison Gunn (1919–1978), a Grant Parish school principal and administrator, and the former Elizabeth Wardlow (1924–2010), an English teacher at Montgomery High School and the daughter of James Owen Wardlow (1895–1980) and the former Mabel Thompson (1897–1977).^[3][4] Gunn graduated from Montgomery High School in 1964. A Montgomery businessman, he is retired from the military. He is single.

Gunn was elected to the legislature by ninety-four votes in 1991. He campaigned on a limited budget from his own resources and knocked on the door of nearly every residence in the district. In the October 19 primary, he ran second to incumbent Democrat A. Dale Smith, but ahead of Cliff Zell, also a Democrat. Gunn received 6,087 primary votes (33 percent) to Smith's 8,538 (46 percent), and Zell's 21 percent.^[5] In the general election, Gunn prevailed, 9,931 to Smith's 9,837 Gunn lost Grant Parish in the primary, but he beat Smith by some 800 votes in his home parish in the general election to secure his narrow victory. Gunn did not seek reelection in 1995.^[6]

Gunn was an Independent town council member prior to his legislative service. He led the balloting in the council election held on October 6, 1990. He served with three Democrats and a Republican, Donna Stroud Guillory (born 1962).^[7] He resigned the seat to enter the legislature.

On October 5, 2002, Gunn was elected Montgomery mayor in the primary without opposition. He succeeded the Democrat Tim T. Coolman (born September 22, 1962), with whom he had served on the council in 1991.

On November 2, 2004, Montgomery approved a one-cent town sales tax, which Gunn said would allow his community to meet rising fuel and insurance costs. The tax won handily, 194-91.^[8]

Gunn won a second term as mayor by a wide margin in the jungle primary held on September 30, 2006. He defeated the Democrat Leo Floyd Davis, 180-38 votes. The town council then consisted of two Independents, two Democrats, and one Republican, Joann B. Lary (born November 1, 1939).^[9]

Mayor Gunn had sought construction of a bridge atop the Red River at Montgomery to link the town directly to Natchitoches to the west. A ferry once used to cross the river at Montgomery ceased operating in 1960.

Gunn did not seek reelection as mayor in the October 2, 2010 primary. His successor is the Democrat Vera "Susie" Waters, who received 168 votes (80 percent). Democrat Randy Cotten received 42 votes (20 percent).^[10]

References