Voters in New Orleans chose Helena Moreno on Saturday to be the city’s next mayor, indicating optimism that Ms. Moreno, a Democratic city councilwoman, can make good on her promise to lift the city out of chronic dysfunction and ease frustration that has built up over years of setbacks.
The race was dominated by the city’s entrenched and serious problems, including limited economic prospects for many residents, a shortage of affordable housing and the soaring cost of insurance. The city has lost residents, in large part because of those issues, and faces dire financial circumstances.
Like her rivals in the race, Ms. Moreno devoted considerable attention to persistent quality-of-life concerns, like the city’s notoriously crumbling and crater-pocked roads, that have ground away at public confidence.
In a victory speech on Saturday night, Ms. Moreno said the outcome reflected a deep desire for New Orleans to change course and move “toward becoming a city that works, toward becoming a city where we can all thrive, where opportunities are not just for some but for everyone.”
“I really hope that you are not weary,” she told a jubilant crowd, “because the hard work is actually just ahead.”
Ms. Moreno, a former television journalist, broke ahead of a crowded field of a dozen candidates, which included several other credible contenders.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The post Helena Moreno Is Elected Mayor of New Orleans appeared first on New York Times.
