New Orleans - In a City Park building, former District "A" City Councilman Jay Batt announced Thursday that he's running for the council seat he lost to Shelley Midura four years ago.
Midura is not seeking re-election. Mid City community activist and business owner Virginia Blanque is also running for the seat.
Across town in front of Gallier Hall, Nolan Marshall III talked about his decision to enter the race for at-large councilman. Marshall, who works for a non profit agency and is a former president of the Young Leadership Council said as a 30 year-old he would bring a new energy and way of thinking to the council.
"One of the things that I'm looking forward to being able to do is move this city forward in terms of economic development," Marshall said.
Current at-large council members Jackie Clarkson and Arnie Fielkow are seeking re-election. District "E" Councilwoman Cynthia Willard-Lewis is also running for one of the two at-large seats.
Pollster and Political Analyst Silas Lee, Ph.D., said the at-large contest will present an interesting political dynamic.
Lee said, "It appears to be a series of rematches to a large degree. Clarkson defeated Cynthia Willard-Lewis [in the at-large race] and we're about to enter round two and the irony also is that Nolan Marshall III was defeated by Cynthia Willard-Lewis a few years ago," he said.
District "C" Councilman James Carter is also not seeking re-election and a number of people are considering running for that seat.
