News Summary
A pivotal mayoral forum in New Orleans addressed urgent matters like affordable housing and childcare for families, particularly single-parent households. Candidates Oliver Thomas, Royce Duplessis, and Helena Moreno discussed challenges including budget deficits and rising housing costs. They proposed specific actions to combat poverty and enhance childcare services, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming primary election. As public interest rises, the candidates pledged commitments to tackle the city’s pressing issues.
New Orleans hosted a significant mayoral forum on September 2, 2025, focusing on pressing issues such as affordable housing and childcare for families, particularly single-parent households. Organized by the Junior League of New Orleans, the Links, the National Council of Jewish Women, and Women United, the event highlighted the candidates’ positions as the October 11 primary approaches.
The candidates—Oliver Thomas, Royce Duplessis, and Helena Moreno—emphasized the urgency of addressing housing issues in the city, which has faced challenges including a projected $100 million budget deficit, an outdated power grid, and rising housing costs. Thomas underscored the need to bring back experts to tackle these housing concerns, while Duplessis proposed the appointment of a dedicated individual to oversee and coordinate housing agencies, streamlining efforts to address the crisis.
Moreno brought attention to the potential of over 80 vacant structures and more than 300 parcels of unused land in New Orleans that could be transformed into housing solutions. This proposal aims not only to alleviate the housing shortage but also to enhance the livability of the city for families in distress.
The discussion expanded to focus on the affordability of childcare, with Duplessis suggesting that increased investment in youth recreation is essential. At the same time, Moreno highlighted the need for City Hall to provide more childcare opportunities, advocating for the utilization of vacant public properties for the establishment of childcare services.
Candidates were pressured to present specific actions for combating poverty in New Orleans. Moreno proposed enhancing the city’s economic development department to better assist small businesses and entrepreneurs. In conjunction with this strategy, Thomas suggested establishing an economic development office in underserved areas such as Gentilly and New Orleans East, offering targeted support to economically challenged neighborhoods. Duplessis advanced the idea of creating universal pre-kindergarten as a pathway to enhance economic mobility for families, aiming to ensure early childhood education is accessible to all.
The forum marked a crucial juncture in the mayoral campaign, with analysts noting that for Moreno to have a chance at outright victory, she needs to secure more than 50% of the primary vote. Conversely, Duplessis is working towards building momentum, while Thomas aims to solidify his position as a leading contender.
As the discussion unfolded, the candidates acknowledged the dysfunction within City Hall, attributing part of the current struggles to the administration of Mayor LaToya Cantrell. The forum served as a candid platform for candidates to address the city’s many obstacles, including poor infrastructure that hinders growth and quality of life.
Furthermore, Duplessis called for a thorough budget audit to identify areas of wasteful spending, reflecting concerns shared by his rivals regarding the management of city resources. Each candidate referenced legislation they have supported aimed at benefiting minorities, low-income residents, and families, underscoring their commitment to inclusivity and community support.
An upcoming forum hosted by the Urban League is expected to further explore the policy positions of the mayoral candidates, as public interest continues to rise in the lead-up to the primary election. With the stakes high and the residents’ demands clear, the candidates are under increased pressure to propose actionable solutions to New Orleans’ longstanding issues.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
New Orleans Gears Up for Competitive Mayoral Election
Beto O’Rourke to Host Town Hall in New Orleans
Royce Duplessis Announces Candidacy for New Orleans Mayor
Royce Duplessis Announces Mayoral Candidacy
Fateama Fulmore Appointed as New Superintendent of NOLA Public Schools
New Orleans Police Chief Addresses Recruitment Challenges
Additional Resources
- WGNO News
- NOLA.com
- WWLTV
- Bloomberg
- Big Easy Magazine
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- Google Search: New Orleans mayoral election 2025
- Google Scholar: New Orleans housing issues
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
- Google News: New Orleans mayoral forum
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.
