New Orleans Mayor-elect HELENA MORENO (courtesy of Helena Moreno)
Helena Moreno is the next mayor of New Orleans. The city councilwoman received 55% of the vote on Saturday to avoid a run-off election and will be sworn in on January 10th. Moreno says she looks forward to growing opportunities in the city.
“I’ll stop at nothing to create high-paying jobs. Amplify our small businesses and our black-owned businesses. Support our culture bearers and provide a dedicated team at City Hall to ensure underserved areas, like New Orleans East, finally get the attention it deserves,” Moreno said.
Moreno is 48 years old. She was born in Mexico and grew up in Texas. She came to New Orleans as a TV journalist in 2001 and won an Emmy for her coverage of Hurricane Katrina.
In 2008, Moreno ran for Congress but lost. She was elected as a state representative in 2010, and in 2018, Moreno was elected to the city council.
Moreno says she plans to focus on the city’s services in her first 100 days in office.
“My administration will work with urgency, coordination, and collaboration to deliver for the people of New Orleans. To deliver Superbowl services for the people of New Orleans year-round, that’s right, because it shouldn’t take guests coming in town for the city to finally get itself together,” Moreno said.
Moreno defeated state senator Royce Duplessis and fellow councilmember Oliver Thomas. She will replace LaToya Cantrell, who was indicted last August for allegedly using taxpayer dollars to help foster a romantic relationship with her former bodyguard.
During the campaign, Moreno said she would improve public safety, enhance economic development, and improve city services.
“I want you, who’ve been just so frustrated, to just hold on. Just hold on, because we’re about to take the city in a whole new direction so that you can always, always call New Orleans home,” Moreno said.
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