Louisiana Elections

Latest Louisiana elections news

If absentee ballots were all that mattered, Robert Dawson would be the new 1st District representative on the Kenner City Council. An unusually high volume of absentee votes were cast in both the primary and the runoff, and Dawson captured the vast majority of them. Before the XXXX primary election day, he received 80 early votes -- more than three... Full story »

The seven announced New Orleans mayoral candidates agreed on at least one thing at Wednesday's forum sponsored by the Afterschool Partnership, the first of the campaign season to see the entire field -- at least so far -- on the same stage. Asked what qualities they would look for in a new police chief, all said the New Orleans... Full story »

With all the attention that James Perry's profanity-laden TV ad has generated since it hit the airwaves late Tuesday, the New Orleans mayoral candidate decided late this week to pare down how often it will run on local stations. Rather than spending $65,000 on airtime for the 30-second spot, the Perry team has cut the investment to $43,000, campaign... Full story »

Given that he's a decided underdog in the mayor's race, it's not surprising that housing advocate James Perry came out swinging in his first TV spot. But what may earn the ad a place in local political lore is its bracing, albeit humorous, use of foul-mouthed street talk that could have been lifted from an episode of "The Sopranos."... Full story »

Youth Study Center question leads four astray Full story »

With qualifying still several weeks away, seven candidates competing for the job of New Orleans mayor faced off Wednesday on issues related to young people, including education, recreation programs and crime prevention. In addition to weighing in on the Youth Studies Center and a new police chief, candidates offered their perspectives on improving the lives of children. All supported boosting funding for... Full story »

Supporters of businesswoman Leslie Jacobs hinted last week that her entry into the mayor's race would be a bit unconventional. Jacobs will make good on that prediction Wednesday when she rolls out a saturation television buy and a multimedia Web site featuring all manner of Internet campaigning, from Facebook to Twitter to blog blasts. Jacobs spokeswomanCheron Brylski said the... Full story »

Voters in Harvey overwhelmingly agreed Saturday to renew 25 mills in property tax to support the Harvey Volunteer Fire Department, which is responsible for firefighting in a 6-square-mile area containing 25,000 residents. The tax, which pays for salaries, equipment and maintenance, provides the bulk of the department's budget, which covers four fire stations and 30 paid employees. The department also... Full story »

Plaquemines Parish voters Saturday narrowly approved a 1-cent sales tax increase to fund a paid fire department for the parish. Officials expect the extra cent, which will raise the parish's sales tax to 8 percent, to generate $7 million annually and allow the parish to move permanently from volunteer fire departments to one with paid employees. In August, Plaquemines received... Full story »

St. Bernard Parish voters on Saturday rejected a proposed $20 a month fee increase that parish government would have split between the sanitation and fire protection budgets. Parish officials said the fee would have brought in around $3.36 million annually, which they said is needed to help finance garbage collection costs and pay for staffing of the parish's fire stations. Without adequate... Full story »

It looks like the next-to-last mystery hanging over the mayor's race will clear up next week when insurance executive Leslie Jacobs ends speculation about her intentions. Jacobs' entry into the contest would leave former City Councilman Eddie Sapir as the only remaining mayoral fence-sitter of those who have publicly flirted with a run. A source close to Jacobs said... Full story »

In the clearest sign yet that the mayor's race is getting into full swing, candidates have begun sparring over how each other's campaign finance reports are written. Housing activist James Perry, considered a long shot by most observers, fired the first rhetorical salvo this week at the early front-runners: state Sen. Ed Murray and wealthy businessman John Georges. Labeling... Full story »

Plaquemines Parish voters will decide Saturday whether they want to pay a higher sales tax to pay for firefighters that parish officials say will improve resident safety and possibly reduce homeowners' insurance rates. Voters will consider raising the sales tax a penny to 8 cents, making it the lowest sales tax in the New Orleans area. That increase, which... Full story »

A controversial proposal asking residents if they want to ban new apartment complexes in St. Bernard Parish has been rescinded, but voters will still go to the polls Saturday to decide on additional fees that parish leaders say are crucial to plugging millions of dollars in anticipated budget shortfalls next year. The parish is asking whether residents will pay... Full story »

In addition to seeking a $20-per-month fee for garbage and fire protection, the St. Bernard Parish Council is asking voters Saturday to decide on a proposed amendment to the parish's home rule charter. Council members say the change will clarify language that addresses council members serving on boards and commissions that are political subdivisions of the state. The measure... Full story »