New Orleans – Another week, another high-profile mayoral prospect says they will not run for mayor.
Democratic Rep. Karen Carter Peterson, the House speaker pro tem, said she will not run for Mayor of New Orleans. She is the latest potential contender to say she will sit this race out.
"Over the past several months, I have been truly moved by the outpouring of support from many members of the community encouraging me to become a candidate for Mayor of the City of New Orleans.
"It has been very humbling to interact with so many constituents expressing their concerns about the state of our recovery and revitalization four years after Hurricane Katrina. After full consideration and thoughtful examination, however, I have decided not to seek election to the Office of Mayor. Instead, I will continue to passionately serve the people of this great City and State in my current role as Speaker Pro Tem of the Louisiana House of Representatives,” explained Peterson in a press release.
City Council President Arnie Fielkow announced last week that he would not run for the city’s highest office, joining Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, who said at the beginning of summer that he would not run.
So far, Rep. Austin Badon, D-New Orleans, Sen. Ed Murray, D-New Orleans, and James Perry, executive director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center, are the only ones who have officially declared they will run for mayor.
Former mayoral candidate and businessman John Georges and former City Councilman Eddie Sapir have also had their names thrown out as possibilities for the political post.
Qualifying begins in December and the primary is set for February 6.
