Holiday parties are in full swing around metro New Orleans. They provide a perfect opportunity for candidates vying for office in 2026 to make the rounds with voters. With qualifying for two state house and one state senate seat taking place next week (December 17-19) and many other judicial and congressional races set for later in 2026, now is the time for new candidates and current elected officials to see and be seen.
More than 100 politically active Democratic women who belong to the Independent Women’s Organization (IWO) shared the holiday spirit with dozens of politicians Sunday afternoon at The Building on Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. “Our members care deeply about the economy, quality of life, crime and housing affordability in New Orleans. Gatherings like these provide women leaders with a unique chance to get to know the next round of candidates before the campaigns begin in earnest and talk with our current elected officials as well about important issues,” said IWO President Lisa Ray Diggs, Clerk of Second City Court and Moreno transition team member.
Future Deputy Mayor Rene Lapeyrolerie attended on behalf of Incoming Mayor Helena Moreno. Lesli Harris represented her fellow council members along with Councilmember-elect Matthew Willard and Molly Ponds, his companion. Sheriff-elect Michelle Woodfork discussed her work ahead. Chief Civil District Court Judge Nicole Sheppard was joined by Clerk Chelsey Richard Napoleon and fellow civil court jurists Ellen Hazeur, Omar Mason and Lakeisha Jefferson. Criminal Court Judge Robin Pittman and daughter Kaitlyn Pittman, LCSW, as well as Chief Magistrate Judge Juana Lombard came from Criminal District Court. Appeals Court Judges Nakisha Ervin-Knott and Rachael D. Johnson brought wisdom from that bench. First City Court Judge Elroy James, himself a candidate in the spring, rounded out the members of the judiciary present.
The real stars were the candidates who blitzed the room eager to start building relationships. In the House District 98 race to replace Willard, attorney Ed T. Murray, son of the former state senator by the same name, was working the room as did property manager Eugene Green III, son of the current city councilmember Eugene Green Jr. Eugene III was accompanied by his mother Jennifer, an IWO member.
Attorney Dana Henry was also present. He is almost certain to qualify for House District 100 to replace newly elected District E Councilmember Jason Hughes. Henry, a specialist in education and non-profit law and a former city council candidate, will face off against “Doc” Eric Jones who previously ran for school board. Two others with high name recognition might also find the race attractive – Councilmember Oliver Thomas and former Councilmember Cyndi Nguyen. It is not known if either is seriously considering the race.
Longtime legislator and former Clerk of Criminal District Court Arthur Morrell has thrown his hat in the ring for State Senate District 3, a seat vacated by Joseph Bouie Jr. Morrell will face off against Sidney Barthelemy Jr., son of the former mayor. Both turned out to court IWO members. Barthelemy has the support of C.O.U.P., his father’s political organization, which with other allies came together to support first Arthur Hunter and then Royce Duplessis in the race for mayor.
Former Public Service Commissioner Lambert Boissiere III was previously rumored to be interested in the state senate race before the same players coalesced behind Barthelemy. Boissiere could wait until his father Lambert Jr. decides to retire as Constable of First City Court. Keith Lampkin, a close aide to DA Jason Williams, might also qualify for the senate seat. Other possible candidates include Joseph Bouie III, son of the outgoing senator, and former state senator Jon Johnson.
Several candidates for vacant or soon to be vacant judicial seats also attended the IWO event including assistant city attorney Shawn Lindsay, and attorneys Michael Hall, Stephanie Bridges and Cheryl Howard. A first time candidate, Lindsay is seeking the seat being vacated by the retiring Kern Reese. Hall, who ran previously, has his eyes on the vacancy being created by the retiring Bernadette D’ Sousa. Howard will compete against Judge James for the seat currently occupied by the retiring Ethel Julien. Former judicial candidate Stephanie Bridges will take on Richard Perque, a former ad hoc judge and one-time judicial candidate, for the seat held by the retiring Paulette Irons. Both Irons and Julien will leave the bench at the end of December.
Criminal Court Judge Darryl Derbigny retired several months ago. Andre Gaudin Jr., DA Jason Williams’ Chief of Screening, has already announced his candidacy for Derbigny’s seat. Williams introduced Gaudin to friends, donors and associates at a special event last month.
All civil and criminal court judges are up for re-election in the fall of 2026. Qualifying for the election to fill the Julien, Irons and Derbigny vacancies will begin the day after Mardi Gras. That primary election will be held in April. The winners of those races will run again in the fall with all the other members of the judiciary.
The holiday parties and candidate appearances are sure to continue. Richard Perque is hosting his formal announcement Wednesday, December 10 at Martine Chaisson Gallery while at the same time OPDEC is greeting Democrats at the NOPSI Hotel. The political organization NOEL is greeting its constituents in New Orleans East Thursday. Orleans Parish’s Republicans aren’t far behind. Even Helena Moreno might take a moment off to toast family and friends in hopes for a better New Orleans in 2026.
