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Mayors

New Orleans Enters a New Era of Politics as Mayoral and Council Elections Approach

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The upcoming mayoral and council elections in New Orleans will mark a significant shift in the city's politics, as it transitions away from caretaker regimes dominated by family-based or neighborhood organization-based political aristocracies. For the first time in 50 years, the elections will not be driven by support for or opposition to established political family dynasties or Black political organizations. Instead, the candidates will face the voters on their own merit, without the backing of powerful organizations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2025 New Orleans mayoral and council elections will be the first open mayoral election in 50 years, not driven by support for or opposition to established political family dynasties or Black political organizations.
  • The current caretaker regime, governed by family-based or neighborhood organization-based political aristocracies, is fading, and a new type of regime may emerge.
  • No candidate in the mayoral race has an association with a political organization, and none are related to past mayors or current officeholders.
  • Three council offices are vacant, including the at-large seat vacated by Helena Moreno, which will be highly contested, with three candidates qualified, including two current legislators.
  • Various organizations such as LIFE, BOLD, COUP, and SOUL, which have dominated New Orleans politics for decades, are experiencing a decline in influence.
  • Voter turnout has decreased in recent years, with turnout in the 2021 mayoral election being 29.1%, compared to 44.3% in the 2002 mayoral runoff election before Hurricane Katrina.
  • Nonprofit organizations may fill the void by engaging in non-partisan voter turnout campaigns and offering rides to the polls for those without transportation.

Statistics:

  • Fourteen candidates qualified to run for mayor, the most in a mayoral election in decades.
  • None of the candidates in the mayoral race have an association with a political organization or are related to past mayors or current officeholders.
  • Three council offices are vacant, including the at-large seat vacated by Helena Moreno.
  • Voter turnout in the 2021 mayoral election was 29.1%, compared to 44.3% in the 2002 mayoral runoff election before Hurricane Katrina.
  • Cities with corporate regimes, such as Atlanta, Houston, and Dallas, have lower voter turnout rates, with turnout ranging from 10% to 21%.

Sources:

  • "Moreno leads in every poll taken so far in the mayoral race" (Nola.com, 2025)
  • "BOLD disaffiliation" (The Lens, 2021)
  • "Robert Collins: Voting Harris, Trump, Cantrell" (Verite News, 2024)
  • "New Orleans mayoral and council elections 2025" (Verite News, 2025)

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