The 2025 New Orleans mayoral election is one of the most crowded and consequential races in the city’s recent history. With 14 declared candidates from political veterans, to grassroots activists, voters will decide not just who should lead, but what kind of leadership the city needs after years of crises, corruption, and calls for change.
Here’s a breakdown of every candidate’s strengths and weaknesses, plus the three most likely scenarios that could shape the final outcome in this unpredictable race.
🥇 Top-Tier Candidates
Helena Moreno (Democrat)
- Current Role: City Council President, former State Rep., ex-TV anchor
- Strengths: High name recognition, strong fundraising, clean public record, progressive resume, and a “get-it-done” public service reputation
- Weaknesses: Seen as part of City Hall’s current dysfunction; must prove she’s not just a reshuffled insider
- Platform Highlights: Infrastructure reform, city service overhauls, youth investment, housing affordability
- Core Message: “It’s time for a mayor who shows up and delivers.”
Oliver Thomas (Democrat)
- Current Role: District E Councilmember, ex–Council President
- Strengths: Strong roots in Black neighborhoods, experienced in local government, compelling redemption story
- Weaknesses: Past bribery conviction still haunts him; represents an older political generation
- Platform Highlights: Basic service guarantees (pothole fixes, trash pickup), affordable housing, trauma-informed public safety
- Core Message: “Back to basics — a city that works again.”
Royce Duplessis (Democrat)
- Current Role: State Senator, former Planning Commission Chair
- Strengths: Young, policy-savvy, progressive appeal, legislative wins, not tied to Cantrell-era chaos
- Weaknesses: Entered the race late; limited campaign infrastructure compared to others
- Platform Highlights: 40,000 new affordable housing units, economic investment in port/logistics, public trust restoration
- Core Message: “Let’s reset the city — not reshuffle the dysfunction.”
⚖️ Competitive Mid-Tier Contenders
Arthur Hunter (Democrat)
- Background: Retired Criminal Court Judge, ex–NOPD officer
- Strengths: Strong on public safety and courts, seen as mature and calm, no scandal
- Weaknesses: Lower name recognition, limited charisma, older demographic appeal
- Platform: Professional policing, mental health courts, long-term infrastructure planning
Eileen Carter (Independent)
- Background: Ex-Cantrell staffer, led the mayoral recall effort
- Strengths: Known for taking on the mayor, strong anti-establishment appeal
- Weaknesses: No elected experience, limited funding, mainly known for the failed recall
- Platform: Transparency, youth programs, city jobs for residents
Tyrell Morris (Democrat)
- Background: Former 911 Director
- Strengths: Technocrat with public safety/response expertise, young, modern vision
- Weaknesses: Facing criminal charges from a 2023 city vehicle incident
- Platform: Emergency services overhaul, centralized infrastructure coordination
🧭 Fringe and Symbolic Candidates
These candidates add perspectives to the race but aren’t likely to reach the top tier.
- Ricky Twiggs (Independent) – Mental health counselor with a radical progressive platform including public housing via eminent domain and police demilitarization
- Renada Collins (Independent) – Business coach focusing on education, waste reform, and pedestrian infrastructure
- Russell Butler (Independent) – Community advocate with city staff experience; very low public profile
- Joe Bikulege Jr. (Independent) – Bar owner aiming to represent small business and nightlife concerns
- Frank Janusa (Republican) – Veteran and engineer representing fiscal conservatism
- Gabrielle Harris Thomas (Republican) – Hospitality worker and grieving mother turned advocate for public safety and addiction services
- Manny Chevrolet Bruno (Independent) – Satirist and perennial candidate known for political protest campaigns
- Frank Scurlock (Independent) – Businessman and former mayoral candidate with a controversial personal record
🔮 3 Likely Scenarios for How This Race Ends
Scenario 1: Moreno Wins Outright
If the opposition remains fragmented and no single challenger consolidates support, Helena Moreno could win the race in the first round with 50%+ of the vote. Her campaign infrastructure and broad appeal make this possible — but only if voter turnout remains low and divided.
Bottom Line: Likely only if challengers continue to split the Black vote and progressive base.
Scenario 2: Moreno vs. Oliver Thomas Runoff
Thomas has the strongest citywide name recognition among Moreno’s challengers. If Black voters consolidate behind him and he holds his base in District E, this could turn into a traditional New Orleans-style runoff: establishment reformer vs. grassroots veteran.
Bottom Line: Moreno would be favored in a runoff but could face a serious challenge if turnout surges in Black districts.
Scenario 3: Moreno vs. Royce Duplessis Runoff
Duplessis has the energy, resume, and coalition potential to surprise. If he gains late momentum — especially from younger voters, progressives, and Black moderates — he could overtake Thomas for the second spot.
Bottom Line: A Moreno–Duplessis matchup would be framed as insider vs. visionary. This would be the most unpredictable and issue-driven runoff.
⚠️ No New Polling Available
As of this writing, no public polling has been released since the candidate qualification deadline. All projections are based on known political alliances, funding levels, and historical voting patterns. Expect polling and endorsements to shake up the race in late summer.
🎯 Final Take
The 2025 mayoral race in New Orleans will be a test of vision, trust, and momentum. With nearly every candidate campaigning on crime, infrastructure, and youth investment, the difference won’t be in what they promise — it’ll be in who can unify the electorate and prove they can deliver.
Whether voters want a fresh start, a familiar hand, or a full system reboot… the future of New Orleans is officially on the ballot.
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