PATTERSON, La. — Two Patterson natives running for mayor are offering different visions for the city's future, with priorities ranging from financial stability and youth programs to infrastructure improvements and economic development.

Incumbent Mayor Rodney Grogan, who has held the position since 2011, is seeking to continue his leadership of the city of approximately 5,600 residents. Grogan made history as Patterson's first African American mayor.

His challenger, Slade Sanders, is focusing on modernizing city infrastructure, improving public spaces and building on economic development efforts already underway.

Grogan said one of his primary goals is to put Patterson in a stronger financial position by paying off city debt and maintaining the flexibility to respond to residents' needs.

"I'm soon to be paying all my bonds off and be debt free for the city of Patterson, so all we would have coming in is the money we make off of water, sewer and gas," Grogan said. "So the number one thing is get Patterson and help us remain resilient."

Grogan also wants to explore expanding mental health programs and investing in opportunities for the city's young people.

Sanders said he wants to improve Patterson's infrastructure, secure the city's water plant and modernize essential city services. He also sees cleaning up parts of the city as a way to attract investment and create more opportunities for residents.

"What I'd like to do is build on the economic development that's happening now," Sanders said. "I wanna clean up our city in a lot of areas where we need to clean up, because if we clean up our city, people will come and give people opportunities to invest in our city."

Although Grogan and Sanders have different priorities for addressing the city's challenges, the candidates share a personal connection and a common goal.

Both men consider themselves good friends, though their campaigns have experienced tensions within the community. Despite those differences, they agree that Patterson's young people deserve greater investment and more opportunities.