Sharon Weston Broome facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sharon Weston Broome
Mayor-President of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish
In office January 2, 2017 – January 2, 2025
Preceded by	Kip Holden
Succeeded by	Sid Edwards
President pro tempore of the Louisiana Senate
In office January 14, 2008 – January 11, 2016
Preceded by	Diana Bajoie
Succeeded by	Gerald Long
Member of the Louisiana Senate from the 15th district
In office January 12, 2005 – January 11, 2016
Preceded by	Kip Holden
Succeeded by	Regina Barrow
Speaker pro tempore of the Louisiana House of Representatives
In office January 2004 – January 12, 2005
Preceded by	Peppi Bruneau
Succeeded by	Yvonne Dorsey-Colomb
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 29th district
In office January 13, 1992 – January 12, 2005
Preceded by	Clyde Kimball
Succeeded by	Regina Barrow
Personal details
Born	Sharon Weston (1956-10-01) October 1, 1956 (age 68) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Marvin Broome
Children	3
Education	University of Wisconsin, La Crosse (BA) Regent University (MA)

Sharon Weston Broome (born October 1, 1956) is a politician from Louisiana. She served as the mayor-president of Baton Rouge from 2017 to 2025. She was chosen for this role in a special election held on December 10, 2016. Broome made history as the first African-American woman to become mayor-president of Baton Rouge.

Before becoming mayor-president, Broome was a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1992 to 2005. She then served in the Louisiana State Senate from 2005 to 2016. In the Senate, she was the President Pro Tempore from 2008 to 2016. This means she was the second-highest leader in the Senate.

In 2024, Broome was elected as president of the National League of Cities. Later that year, she ran for a third term as mayor-president but was not re-elected. She lost to Sid Edwards, who focused his campaign on public safety and the creation of a new city called St. George.

Early Life and Education

Sharon Weston Broome was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 1, 1956. Her parents were part of the Great Migration. This was a time when many African Americans moved from the Southern United States to Northern cities.

For elementary school, Broome attended Carter Elementary School in Chicago. There, Mrs. Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till, was her third-grade teacher. Hearing Emmett Till's story inspired Broome's interest in civil justice at a young age.

Broome later moved to Wisconsin. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. She then moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia, to get her master's degree in Communications from Regent University.

With her degrees in communications, Broome first worked as a news reporter. She reported on local topics for WBRZ-TV for five years.

Public Service Career

Before serving in state government, Sharon Weston Broome was a member of the Baton Rouge Metro Council. She was elected to the Metro Council in 1988. This was her first elected position.

Louisiana House of Representatives

From 1992 to 2004, Broome represented District 29 in the Louisiana House of Representatives. She was followed in this role by her legislative assistant, Regina Barrow. From 1996 to 2003, Broome chaired the Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs Committee.

Broome also became the Speaker Pro Tempore of the House. She was the first woman to hold this important leadership position.

Louisiana State Senate

From 2005 to 2016, Broome represented District 15 in the Louisiana State Senate. While in the Senate, she also served as President Pro Tempore. This made her the first woman to hold the second-highest leadership role in both the House and the Senate.

In 2012, she supported a bill related to healthcare. The bill was signed into law by Republican Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.

Mayor of Baton Rouge

2016 Election

Term limits meant Broome could not run for the Senate again. So, she decided to run for Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish in 2016. She was the first person to announce her plans to run for the position.

Broome's campaign focused on several important issues. She wanted to keep the parish united and ensure all residents, including those with lower incomes and college students, were represented. She also promised to make healthcare more available across the parish.

On November 8, 2016, Broome received 32% of the votes in the first round of the election. This allowed her to move on to the runoff election. After the first round, another Democratic candidate, Denise Marcelle, who was eliminated, supported Broome.

In the runoff election on December 10, 2016, Broome faced Republican state Senator Bodi White. Broome won with 59,737 votes (52 percent) to White's 55,241 votes (48 percent). She was sworn into office on January 2, 2017.

First Term (2017-2020)

As mayor-president, Broome was in charge of proposing the yearly budget for East Baton Rouge Parish. During her first term, her proposed budgets often included money for law enforcement and public safety. For example, her 2018 budget provided funds to increase police salaries and buy new vehicles. Her 2019 budget, which was approved by the Metro Council, included money for new equipment for law enforcement.

Broome also appointed leaders for city departments. In 2018, she appointed Murphy Paul as the Baton Rouge Police Chief. This happened after the previous chief retired.

Infrastructure and Development

In 2018, Broome suggested a half-cent sales tax to pay for the MoveBR roads program. This program aimed to improve roads and reduce traffic. Voters approved this sales tax on December 8, 2018. This was seen as a big win for Broome, showing she could get support from different groups.

The MoveBR program officially started in September 2019. It included over 70 projects to reduce traffic and make streets better for people walking. Broome also focused on the parish's stormwater plan after the severe 2016 flooding. In 2019, the parish received $15 million from FEMA and the state to help with this plan.

St. George Incorporation

In October 2019, residents in an unincorporated part of East Baton Rouge Parish voted to create a new city called St. George. Broome was against this idea because she wanted the parish to stay united. Despite her opposition, residents voted in favor of creating St. George.

Broome filed a lawsuit to try and stop the incorporation. A lower court first sided with Broome. However, the Louisiana Supreme Court overturned this decision in April 2024. This allowed St. George to officially become a city.

2020 Election

The 2020 Baton Rouge mayoral election took place on November 3, 2020. A runoff election was held on December 5, 2020. This election was to choose the next Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish.

No candidate won more than half the votes in the first election. So, the top two candidates, incumbent Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome (Democrat) and former State Representative Steve Carter (Republican), went to a runoff.

The election happened during the COVID-19 Pandemic, which changed how campaigns were run. Public gatherings were limited, leading to smaller events. Broome faced seven challengers in this election, the most an incumbent mayor had faced in nearly 30 years.

Sharon Weston Broome won the runoff election on December 5. She secured 57% of the final vote, while Steve Carter received 43%. Broome became the first woman to be re-elected to this position.

Second Term (2021-2024)

During her second term, Sharon Weston Broome continued to lead East Baton Rouge Parish. She faced some challenges and discussions about various projects.

Housing Projects and Funding

A proposal was made to revitalize Scotlandville, a historic neighborhood. In November 2021, the Metro Council approved $6 million in federal funds for a housing project. Mayor-President Broome presented this proposal to the council.

There were delays in the project, and questions arose about how the funds were being managed. In May 2024, a federal grand jury requested records related to the project. This was part of an investigation into the funding.

Police Department Concerns

In August 2023, the Baton Rouge Police Department faced allegations regarding an unmarked facility. These allegations led to investigations into police practices. Broome stated she was not aware of the specific claims until August. The FBI began a civil rights investigation in September 2023. Broome suspended the facility, and critics raised questions about oversight.

Following the resignation of Police Chief Murphy Paul in 2023, Broome appointed Thomas Morse as the new police chief in December 2023.

MoveBR Program

Broome often highlighted MoveBR as a major achievement. This transportation program aimed to improve roads in East Baton Rouge Parish. However, MoveBR was a new name for the Green Light Plan, which was started by former Mayor Kip Holden in 2006. The original plan was already about 70% complete when Broome's administration began.

2024 Election

Broome sought re-election for a third term in the 2024 Baton Rouge mayoral election. Her main opponents were Ted James (Democrat) and Sid Edwards (Republican). In the first round on November 5, Broome received 31.19% of the votes, Edwards received 34.38%, and James received 28.37%.

Since no one won a majority, Broome faced Sid Edwards in the runoff election on December 7. Broome ran as a Democrat, focusing on education, the economy, and housing. She received support from Congressman Troy Carter, former opponent Ted James, and former Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards.

On December 7, Broome lost to Sid Edwards in the runoff election. Her term as mayor-president ended in January 2025.

Personal Life

Sharon Weston Broome was single for much of her adult life. In 2000, she married Marvin Alonzo Broome. She does not have biological children of her own. However, she became a stepmother to Marvin's three children from a previous marriage. Their biological mother had passed away. Broome also has three grandchildren through her stepchildren.