Though qualifying for the 2025 city elections for mayor and council is still 10 months away, candidates led by New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno are already raising funds for next year’s races. It’s no secret that Moreno- who is completing her second term as Councilmember-At-Large and cannot seek re-election for that position – has her eyes on the mayor’s office. Moreno has already unveiled a campaign slogan, “For Our Future,” new yard signs, website (helenamorenonola.com) and social media using that phrase. ‘I’m in this fight for one reason: to deliver progress for our communities and our families,” said Moreno on her website.
On Monday, September 30 Moreno will celebrate her birthday. That evening she will be feted by Commander Palace’s Ti Martin and Lally Brennan at a major fundraiser which could bring in more than $250,000 – building on the 37 $5,000 hosts listed on the invitation. Moreno, who is a leading voice for change, has always been able to attract a broad base of supporters – the who’s who of New Orleans. Co-hosts of the upcoming event include Cathy and Buddy Bart, Margaret and Ken Beer, Troy Duhon, Frances Fayard, Chip Forstall, Mary and Bill Hines, Lois and Blake Jones, Lori and Bobby Savoie and Madlyn Schenk.
In addition to Monday’s take, Moreno has also held several other fundraisers this year including one hosted by Pete and Stephanie November. Her 2023 annual campaign finance report showed more than $327,000 cash on hand. Moreno could easily be the most prolific fundraiser in next year’s race for mayor. Money is the mother’s milk of most every political campaign. Depending on the strength of her opponents, Moreno could spend more than $1 million on a full-throttle campaign.
Many believe that Councilmember Oliver Thomas may enter the race for mayor. Thomas was on the threshold of running almost 20 years ago when it seems that being mayor was his destiny. Since returning to public life, Thomas raised and spent approximately $200,000 in his council race three years ago. Going into 2024, Thomas had almost $40,000 in available cash.
His top donors include Troy Henry and Leslie and Scott Jacobs. Other major supporters are Ray Manning, Sean Cummings, Tony Gelderman, Darleen Jacobs, Pres Kabacoff, Angela O’Byrne, the law firm Wright, Pichon, Gray and several political action committees. Thomas still has plenty of time to put a campaign together. Because he has served so many years in office, Thomas’ significant name recognition might reduce the amount of money he needs.
State Senator Royce Duplessis could also be a candidate for mayor if polling closer to July 2025 qualifying shows a path to victory. While he does not have the breadth of experience of Moreno or Thomas, Duplessis is well-liked by the downtown business interests he represents in Baton Rouge. At the beginning of 2024, Duplessis’ campaign report listed approximately $25,000 in available funds. He recently held a fundraiser at Chapter IV. Duplessis’ top donors include attorneys Lindsey Cheek, Philip Hoffman, John Fuller, Ravi Sangisetty and Scott Bickford; developers Brian Gibbs, Louis Lauricella, and Paul Flower; and a plethora of political action committees.
In the races for Council-At-Large, current Council Vice President J.P. Morrell is expected to seek re-election. Morrell raised almost $90,000 in 2023 and has hosted a fundraiser this year as well. Morrell also enjoys wide support from the business community.
Two couples – Rick and Lisa Farrell and Bill Hammack and Janice Parmalee – contributed $10,000 each to Morrell. Other major donors include Helis Oil & Gas, the restaurant Oceana Grill, attorney Steve Herman, hotelier Mike Valentino, film exec Susan Brennan, and marketer Nathan Chapman. Voters appreciate Morrell’s hutzpah. He has taken the lead on many important initiatives like reigning in short term rentals and has been particularly outspoken with Entergy and the SWB. Morrell will be a formidable contender for re-election.
District A Councilman Joe Giarrusso – the Council’s Budget Chair – been a voice of reason on the Council. Term-limited, he is actively looking at the at-large position being vacated by Moreno. Popular with his constituents, Giarrusso has more than $50,000 in the bank as of January 2024. His major donors include Alan and Sherry Leventhal, Minor and Jill Pipes, Thomas Lemann, Lindsey Cheek, Keith Hardie, David Workman, Gerald Provosty and Dickie Brennan and Terry Ernst.
If Giarrusso qualifies, he won’t just walk in. The unwritten understanding has always been that one at-large councilmember would be Black and the other White. That doesn’t mean a Black elected official not currently on the City Council with the right political connections and fundraising prowess might not challenge Giarrusso. In the coming weeks, Giarrusso will have his hands full building consensus for the city’s 2025 budget package.
Two strong women – Aimee McCarron and Holly Friedman – have already signaled their intent to replace Giarrusso in Council District A. Both Friedman and McCarron have served on Giarrusso staff. Friedman was Constituent Services Director during Giarrusso’s first term.
“I love District A and working with everyone who lives there. Joe (Giarrusso) set a high bar. I want to continue serving the constituents of District A,” said Friedman. A former president of the New Parents Association, Friedman graduated from LSU and received an MA in Public Administration from Tulane. She now works for DA Jason Williams as director of the Open Source Intelligence Project (OSINT).
McCarron is the Policy Director and a member of the IWO board of directors. A graduate of Ursuline Academy and NOCCA where she studied musical theatre, McCarron earned a degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism administration from UNO. She is a past president of the Young Leadership Council. “I’m running because I believe residents deserve to live in a city where they don’t just get by, they get ahead. I was born and raised here, I’ve planted my roots here, and I want my kids and their peers to live here when they are old enough to make that choice,” said McCarron.
Both Friedman and McCarron have filed their notice of candidacy with the Louisiana Ethics Board. McCarron has already raised $25,000 according to her finance director Austin Levin. Her website is aimeemccarron.com. Friedman’s team says they have $30,000 and set up a website, Hollyfornola.com
In Council District B, Lesli Harris has been praised by her constituents for addressing homeless and housing issues. As a first time candidate three years ago, Harris made 10 personal loans to her campaign and currently has $20,000 cash on hand. She hosted a fundraiser September 25 with young professionals including Desiree Charbonnet, James Carter, Iam Tucker and several elected officials.
Fundraising will be much easier in her second campaign. Harris already has a solid base of donors on which to build. They include Terrell Clayton, Mary Dumestre, Magnolia Enterprises, Mark Winston, Marc Behar, Kean Miller, Crescent Bank, David Briggs Enterprises, Kyle France, Anne Dangle, Rick Farrell, Chanda Macias, her in-laws Joyce and Lucien Bromberger, and a handful of political action committees. Harris should expect competition in her re-election bid.
Freddie King III believes he is making a difference for the residents and businesses in Council District C. King reported $63,079 cash available at the beginning of 2024 and had a well-attended fundraiser in August. Representing the French Quarter and Algiers, King has access to an ever-growing list of donors. His biggest supporters include Jude Marullo, Bourbon Real Estate, Maurice Sholas, Kristin Attaway, Cesar Burgos, Robert Kennedy, MD, Linfield Hunter & Junius, Alvendia, Kelly, Demarest, and Adams & Reese.
Eugene Green, Jr., the District D Councilmember, is everywhere all the time. Green never seems to miss an opportunity to attend a community event or post vital information to his informative weekly newsletter. Green had a limited number of donors when he ran three years ago but was able to loan himself more than $75,000 which helped put him over the top. At the start of 2024, Green had $50,196 in available cash. Fundraising should go more smoothly this round but having one’s own financial resources helps. Green’s major donors include Joseph Exnicios, Louis Lauricella, Adolph and Naydja Bynum, Robert Watters, Lupo Enterprises and Café Negril. Green too is expected to have opposition in his re-election bid.
If District E Councilmember Oliver Thomas follows up on his inclination to run for mayor, the open seat could draw many candidates. At the top of the list – if he wanted to run – would be State Rep. Jason Hughes. Hughes has years of experience in the public sector, is well-respected by his legislative peers and is always even-handed with constituents. Hughes would be an attractive candidate to business donors. He is not term-limited at the legislature. Also said to be considering the race is former councilmember Cyndi Nguyen, now heading up a non-profit. Other individuals including business leaders are sure to qualify if the seat really becomes available.
