From Mayor to Sheriff, to the City Council seats, Coroner, Assessor —every major office is on the line. Candidate qualifying closes this Friday, July 11, so expect final candidate lists very soon.
âś… What It Takes to Qualify
To run, candidates must:
- File paperwork and a qualifying fee with the Orleans Parish Clerk of Criminal District Court by July 11
- Be registered voters in New Orleans.
- Meet residency requirements:
- Mayor: at least 5 years in the city.
- Council: typically 2 years.
- Sheriff: 2 years in Louisiana, 1 year in Orleans Parish
- Comply with any age and background checks for their respective offices.
Stepping up to run is dedication in action—candidates, from newcomers to veterans, deserve respect and recognition for their willingness to serve.
🌟 Mayor’s Race – A Tight Four-Way Contest
With Mayor Cantrell term-limited, four high-profile qualified candidates have emerged
- Helena Moreno – Current Council President and At‑Large Councilmember. Polls and fundraising show her leading.
- Oliver Thomas – Incumbent District E Councilmember, has the most experience and knowledge of all the candidates.
- Arthur Hunter – Former Criminal Court Judge.
- Royce Duplessis – State Senator who recently entered the race.
Helena Moreno dominates fundraising ($1.5M on hand), while Thomas, Hunter, and Duplessis trail significantly—but name recognition and strong campaigns may shift the race dynamics .
👮 Sheriff’s Race – High-Stakes & Uncertain
The Sheriff’s race is heating up post-escape scandal at OPP. Incumbent Susan Hutson briefly paused her campaign but has a clear path to victory.
Main challengers:
- Michelle Woodfork – Former NOPD Superintendent and first woman to lead the department.
- Edwin “Shorty” Jr. – Second City Court Constable.
- Julian Parker – Retired Criminal District Court Judge.
This promises to be a fiercely contested race given public concerns over law enforcement credibility.
🏙️ City Council – Expect Intense Races Ahead
At-Large Council, Division 1
Delisha Boyd, Matthew Willard
At-Large Council, Division 2
Gregory Manning, JP Morrell (incumbent)
Council District A
Holly Friedman, Aimee McCarron, Bob Murrell
Council District B
Lesli Harris (incumbent)
Council District C
Kelly Foster, Jackson Kimbrell, Freddie King (incumbent)
Council District D
Belden Batiste, Eugene Green (incumbent), Leilani Heno
Council District E
Danyelle Christmas, Jason Hughes, Jon Johnson, Willie Morgan, Cyndi Nguyen
🔥 Incumbents Under Pressure
- Helena Moreno and Oliver Thomas are giving up their council roles to pursue the big seat—creating open fields.
- Eugene Green must defend District D amid challengers.
- Susan Hutson faces scrutiny in light of jail security concerns.
Open seats make this election truly dynamic—and all eyes will be on Friday’s final candidate lists.
🧠What’s Next
- July 11: Candidate qualifying deadline—expect official announcements soon.
- October 11: Open-primary election.
- November 15: If no majority winner emerges, top 2 contenders in runoff.
❤️ Honoring Public Service
It takes courage to run for office. Whether running for Mayor, Sheriff, or Council, each candidate is making a commitment to our community. That willingness to serve deserves appreciation—even before the first vote is cast.
Good luck to Assessor Erroll Williams in his 4th campaign for single Assessor of Orleans Parish!