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New Orleans Voters Choose ​Next Leader Amidst Corruption ⁢concerns and calls for Reform

New Orleans residents ⁤will head to teh polls this Saturday to elect a new mayor, concluding LaToya​ Cantrell‘s second term which has been shadowed by corruption allegations. The ​election marks the⁤ beginning of‌ a series of significant ⁣mayoral races across the U.S., with contests also scheduled in New York and Detroit in November.

The vote takes place against a backdrop of‍ escalating concerns about ‍crime in the city, prompting ⁤calls – including from former⁣ President⁤ Donald Trump – for the deployment of the National ‍Guard. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry⁤ has formally requested this ⁣intervention, though a decision​ from the federal goverment is⁢ still pending.

Cantrell, a democrat barred from ‌seeking re-election due to term limits, has largely remained out of the ‍public eye since ‍federal charges ‍were⁣ filed in August. These allegations center around accusations that she concealed⁤ a romantic relationship ⁣with her former bodyguard, ‌Jeffrey ⁤Vappie, and improperly used taxpayer‌ funds to finance personal trips – including visits to wineries ‍- with him. Cantrell has ‌denied ⁣any wrongdoing regarding charges of conspiracy, fraud, and obstruction⁣ of justice.

This isn’t the first time ‍a‍ new Orleans‍ mayor⁤ has faced legal scrutiny. Former Mayor Ray Nagin was sentenced to ten years in prison in 2014 following convictions⁢ for bribery,‍ money laundering, and fraud committed during‍ his time in office from 2002 to 2010.

The current field of⁤ over ten candidates is largely focused on a⁤ message⁣ of restoring stability to City⁣ Hall. ⁤leading the pack in‌ fundraising is Helena Moreno, the ‌current City Council​ Vice President and ⁢a former journalist, who⁢ has amassed over $3.4 million ⁤for⁣ her campaign. State ⁤Senator Royce Duplessis and‍ veteran councilman Oliver Thomas are ‌also ‌considered strong‌ contenders. Notably, Thomas previously served 37 months ‍in⁤ jail after ‌being convicted of bribery in 2007.

The election will be decided either by a candidate securing over 50% of the vote, or by a runoff election ‍between the top two vote-getters on⁢ November 15th.

Moreno, the daughter of Mexican immigrants and‍ a petrochemical executive, is campaigning​ on a platform centered around improving public safety, bolstering city services, and fostering economic advancement. Thomas has pledged to prioritize the needs ‍of⁤ underserved communities,‌ while Duplessis is⁤ appealing to the city’s majority-Black electorate, positioning himself as an outsider capable of fixing a “dysfunctional” municipal⁤ government.

beyond the mayoral race, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson is also seeking re-election. Her tenure has been marked by criticism following a high-profile‌ jailbreak in May, culminating in the recent capture of the final escapee, convicted murderer Derrick Groves, in Atlanta. Hutson faces ⁢several challengers critical of her jail management.

A typically low-profile race for Clerk of Criminal Court has ⁣also garnered​ significant⁤ attention. Challenger Calvin Duncan, who‍ spent nearly three⁤ decades in prison for a murder conviction before⁤ being​ released in 2011 after presenting new evidence of his innocence, is advocating for improvements to the city’s criminal ​court records system. However,incumbent⁣ Darren Lombard ‍and ​Louisiana’s Attorney General dispute Duncan’s claim of exoneration,citing ‌a plea deal he ⁢accepted. While his convictions were vacated by ⁣a judge⁣ in 2021,and he is listed in the National Registry of Exonerations,the debate⁢ over his case continues.