By Guy F. Smith
May 1, 2006

In a crowded general New Orleans mayoral primary election April 23, Mayor Ray Nagin garnered 38.4 percent to Louisiana Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu’s 29.1 percent. Both will be on the May 20th run-off ballot.

Nagin, a 49-year old cable television executive, was first elected in 2002. Landrieu’s father, Moon Landrieu, was the last white mayor of New Orleans 30 years ago. His sister, Mary, is a United States Senator from Louisiana.

The race received widespread national media coverage. Candidates campaigned in cities where former New Orleans residents now live, traveling to cities such as Houston, Memphis, Atlanta, Dallas and others. Post Katrina, the city was nearly emptied of its 450,000 residents, and, eight months later, less than half of those residents have returned.

The run-off is necessary since none of the 22 candidates received 50 percent of the vote.

Total voter turnout was 108,153. Many evacuees faced considerable hurdles in voting, but, despite the obstacles, about 20,000 cast absentee ballots in the unprecedented mayoral race in American history.