Stelly first Black and second female mayor for Leesville

Published 10:27 am Friday, July 3, 2026

Leesville has elected a new mayor for the first time since 2014, choosing LaFonda Stelly during a run-off election Saturday.

Stelly defeated James “Jim” Shapkoff — who served as the city’s mayor for four consecutive terms from 1990-2006 — with 65 percent of the vote. Stelly is the first Black mayor in the city’s history and only the second female mayor following Betty Westerchil, who served the city for one term from 2006-2010.

“I did not run to be the first Black female mayor of Leesville, I ran because I wanted to be a mayor of Leesville that can make a change,” Stelly said.

Stelly believes her 33 years of working in technology and working as an entrepreneur in the community has given her the experience that will help with public relations and more as she moves forward serving the city for the next four years.

“I feel that based off of my personality that meetings and relationships being rebuilt and working with organizations and department heads I think I will approach some things differently — I’m also a mother so I have those instincts that will definitely be utilized in important meetings,” Stelly said.

Outgoing Mayor Rick Allen was the Master of Ceremonies for Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony at the Leesville Event Center while Judge Elvin C. Fontenot Jr., a family friend of Stelly’s, swore her in.

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The Vernon Parish Clerk of Court Jeffrey Skidmore swore in the 2026-2030 City Council —incumbent Councilman At-Large Phillip Hunt, mewly-elected Councilman At-Large Rodney G. Wells, incumbent District 1 Councilman Christopher Robertson, mewly-elected District 2 Councilman Fredrick “Fred” Carter, newly-elected District 3 Councilman William H. Anderson and newly-elected District 4 Councilwoman Jessica Herring.

“It was a definite sign of unity for Leesville,” Allen said. “It was an honor to be there for the new administration to be sworn in.”

“Leesville definitely showed up at this runoff election,” Stelly said.”It made me feel so excited that, yes, Leesville wants change; yes, everybody has come out and voted and we’re just ready to move forward with change for Leesville,” Stelly said. “We all want what’s best for Leesville. We want to work better and faster to show the community that we’re here, we’re available, you can call us and that we are transparent.”

Stelly said she is focused on bettering the city for all and is ready to hear ideas from the community. She encourages the community to come to city council meetings and let their voices be heard.

“I want whoever has in mind information about youth groups or youth development to come forward on how they can participate within the community with that whether it’s opening up a business for the youth and I want to help our seniors because we want to grow our business

where we also get retired military to Leesville,” Stelly said.

Dr. Geralyn A. Janice, instructional site coordinator for Sowela’s Lamar Salter Campus attended the ceremony Tuesday morning and said she is excited about the new chapter of leadership for the city.

“Meaningful progress is achieved through collaboration and as president of the Vernon Parish Economic Development District and a higher education professional, I understand the value of strong partnerships among local government, education, business and community leaders,” Janice said.

Shapkoff said the journey this election has shown him is that people still care deeply about this community, its future and the generations coming up.

“This campaign may have ended but our love for Leesville never will,” Shapkoff said, adding he will host conversations at 4:30 p.m. on the last Wednesday of every month on his Facebook page to encourage education, unity and community conversation.

“Thank you again for every prayer, every conversation, every vote and every act of support,” he said. “This is not the end,  it is simply a new chapter of serving and supporting the community we love.”

Stelly and the newly elected councilman and councilwomen will hold their first regular city council meeting together at 3 p.m. Monday, July 13, at Leesville City Hall.