The voters of New Orleans overwhelmingly signaled Saturday night that Helena Moreno is indeed “one of us.” She is the voice of change 55% of voters agreed could best move the city forward during the next four or even eight years.
As a former television personality and later a state legislator, Moreno developed broad name recognition and began building deep personal relationships with business and community stakeholders. Through her leadership on the City Council, her dual heritage and progressive agenda, voters of all colors and stripes gained the confidence to support Moreno early on in the election cycle.
Moreno ran a disciplined and well-executed campaign, strategically leveraging both her personal appeal and her deep network of supporters. With ample financial resources, her team was able to fund nearly every major initiative they set out to accomplish. Under the direction of chief strategist Andrew Tuozzolo, Moreno assembled a top-flight campaign team and national consultants including Renee Lapeyrolerie, Todd Ragusa, Jared Green, and Percy Manson. The fundraising operation was led by former JBE lead fundraiser Katie Penland and Emile Tannenbaum, with fundraising chair Anne Redd playing a key leadership role.
Women—Black and white—such as Mary Landrieu, Donna Glapion, Desiree Charbonnet, Julie Schwam Harris, Lisa Diggs, Barbara Major, Alicia Plummer, Emily Arata, Dottie Reese, and Margaret Montgomery-Richard immediately stepped up. Ministers, artists, musicians, cultural bearers and activists all jockeyed with elected officials for position under Moreno’s tent.
In the end, the Moreno Movement was more than her major opponents – State Senator Royce Duplessis and Councilmember Oliver Thomas along with well-intentioned Republican Frank Janusa – could overcome. Janusa, an articulate oil and gas accountant, could have been more impactful in the race if he wasa power player in the Republican Party. Duplessis will continue to represent the CBD and parts of uptown New Orleans in theState Senate and could play a major role during the next redistricting battle. Thomas could potentially move on to the private sector.
Because of her close relationship with Councilmembers J.P. Morrell, Lesli Harris and others, Moreno should work more seamlessly with the city’s legislative branch. Unfortunately, New Orleans’ financial shortfall going into the 2026 budget year, will cause some difficult conversations.
In other races, Assessor Erroll Williams – perhaps the longest-serving elected official in Orleans Parish – won what some believe might be his last term in office. His closest opponent,affordable housing advocate and Tulane professor Casius Peeler III, engaged in interesting dialogue during the campaign but needs a better understanding in the financial aspects of the office.
Michelle Woodfork parlayed her family name and NOPD experience including as interim chief into the winning campaign for Sheriff. With early assistance from consultant Tyronne Walker and John Litchfield’s fundraising expertise, Woodforkwas able to emerge as the leader immediately. Second City Court Constable Ed Shorty leveled sharp attacks againstWoodfork toward the end of the campaign. If better funded to have attacked earlier, Shorty could have caused a runoff.
Current Sheriff Susan Hutson was plagued with too many problems – including the jail break – to successfully raise big money and mount the kind of full-throttle campaign necessary to defend her administration. Hutson can be expected to offer a seamless transition for Woodfork, something that Hutson did not get from former Sheriff Marlin Gusman. Woodfork might seek assistance from Gusman or even former Sheriff Charles Foti to help her ease into the job.
Woodfork has big plans for the sheriff’s office which might be difficult to achieve because of jail’s ongoing staffing shortages and the city’s bleak financial picture. How does Woodfork intend to fill the hundreds of deputy vacancies? Addressing the mental health problems of inmates is one of Woodfork’s priorities. In this financial environment, how will the city fund the operational costs for the new mental health jail?
Watchdog Councilmember J.P. Morrell ran an impressive re-election campaign for city council at large against activist and frequent candidate Kenneth Cutno and Pastor Gregory Manning, who is a darling of environmentalists and energy advocates.Manning is just getting warmed up. Many look for him to run again when an appropriate seat becomes available.
State Rep. Matthew Willard positioned himself as a youthful, energetic yet studious breath of fresh air in his race for Moreno’s old seat as city council at large. Willard hails from a long line of elected officials including his grandfather, aunt and uncle. Yet he is clearly the next generation of Willards with a new cadence but the same commitment to public service.
Willard’s opponent State Rep. Delisha Boyd has played an important role in Baton Rouge having passed several pieces of excellent legislation for New Orleans’ citizens. Her strong working relationship with Congressman Troy Carter makes her an important asset. Hospitality industry executive Matt Hill also competed in the contest.
District C Councilmember Freddie King is soft-spoken but effective. Despite having multiple opponents, King easily won re-election in a district that primarily includes the West Bank along with the French Quarter, Treme and several neighborhoods downriver of Claiborne Avenue.
District D Councilmember Eugene Green Jr. again loaned his campaign almost $75,000 to fuel his victory against underfunded former mayoral candidate Leliani Heno and self-funded activist Belden “Noonie Man” Batiste, the Energizer Bunny of New Orleans politics. With almost no money but lots of supporters, Batiste stretched out to get his message heard. As the holiday season approaches, Batiste will focus on donations for bicycles and children’s toys he gives away every December to underserved children.
Two former staffers of District A Councilmember Joe Giarrusso – uptowner Holly Friedman and Lakeview resident Aimee McCarron – will duke it out to replace their mentor in theNovember 15 general election. Three additional candidates competed in the primary whom McCarron graciously thanked on social media.
In a field of nine candidates for the seat currently occupied byDistrict E Councilmember Oliver Thomas, former councilmember Cyndi Nguyen will face off against State Rep.Jason Hughes also on November 15. Hughes has a long record of government service. Nguyen is a tenacious grass-roots campaigner.
Political campaigns are big business in New Orleans. Though final figures are incomplete, it is estimated that more than $7 million was raised and spent by the candidates competing in last week’s races. While television stations, printers and the U.S. Postal Office receive a sizeable portion of those funds, seasonal political workers including campaign consultants, social media influencers, brass bands, event venues, caterers, photographers and videographers, poll watchers, sign waivers, and people who install signs are all part of the political gig economy. Long may it live!
