News Summary
The upcoming mayoral election in New Orleans features 14 candidates vying for the top position, with significant fundraising efforts by front-runners Helena Moreno and Royce Duplessis. Public safety, education, and community engagement are critical issues as candidates differentiate their platforms. The primary election is set for October 2025, with all eyes on how these candidates will navigate their campaigns in light of the city’s socio-economic challenges.
New Orleans is gearing up for a competitive mayoral election with 14 candidates officially registered to vie for the city’s top position. The primary election is scheduled for October 11, 2025, with a runoff on November 15, 2025. Currently, Helena Moreno, Royce Duplessis, and Oliver Thomas are leading the race both in visibility and fundraising efforts. Moreno has raised an impressive $1.7 million—the highest among all candidates—while other notable funds include Thomas at nearly $320,000 and Duplessis at $165,000 since entering the race.
Among the candidates is Ricky Twiggs, who claims the distinction of being the youngest contender, with a background as a licensed professional counselor. He emphasizes the potential of utilizing $650 million in untapped Hurricane Katrina relief funds, questioning how the city allocates its infrastructure spending. Frank Janusa, a CPA, promotes his outsider status by refusing large donations from service providers, while Russell Butler intends to run a campaign with minimal financial contributions, hoping to foster a positive impact on the city.
Manny Chevrolet, who is in his fifth mayoral campaign, also identifies as an outsider within the race, while Eileen Carter presents a unique platform that includes proposals such as creating an office of education and a “90-day stay of the city.” Carter’s ideas aim to reverse the exodus of residents from New Orleans. Renada Collins takes a strong stance by emphasizing core values such as life, liberty, due process, and equal opportunity in her campaign.
The candidates have also prioritized public safety, recognizing crime as a pressing issue for New Orleans. Scurlock has suggested that the city might consider seeking assistance from external agencies to tackle crime, while Butler advocates for a tougher short-term approach. Janusa believes safety should begin primarily in schools and families, while Chevrolet has called into question the adequacy of jailhouse security measures.
In a strategic move to enhance campaign outreach, Joe Bikulege has pointed out the necessity of increasing their media presence to participate in key debates. Scurlock is working on establishing a streaming studio to improve campaign communications. Collins is confident that ongoing and genuine engagement with the community places her as a strong contender in the race.
Candidate qualifying recently ended, prompting many candidates to ramp up their campaign efforts. While Moreno leads in fundraising, her strategy involves hiring experienced staff members with political backgrounds. Duplessis and Hunter are also focused on building their campaign teams as they enter this critical phase of the election.
The competitive landscape of the New Orleans mayoral race encourages candidates to differentiate their platforms amid various socio-economic challenges faced by the city. With crime, education, and community engagement at the forefront of discussions, each candidate’s unique approach will be crucial in appealing to voters as the election date approaches.
As the primary election draws near, all eyes will be on how these candidates navigate their campaigns and the issues that matter most to New Orleans residents. The outcome could significantly influence the future direction of the city, making this election one of the most pivotal in recent history.
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Additional Resources
- WGNO: Lesser Known Candidates
- Fox 8: Candidates for Mayor
- NOLA: New Orleans Mayor Race
- Axios: Who’s Running for Mayor
- WWLTV: Ballot Set for Election
- Wikipedia: 2025 New Orleans Mayoral Election
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
