New Orleans - With less than 24 hours left to qualify for upcoming elections, Council President Arnie Fielkow made up his mind late Thursday and issued a statement that he will seek a second term in office.
Fielkow walked into the clerk of courts office Friday morning and qualified to run, fufilling his promise.
Fielkow said that he's firmly committed to being part of the city's rebuilding, recovery and renaissance.
Fielkow told Fox 8 News earlier Thursday he was trying to work out some family and personal issues before making a decision on whether to run even though months ago he announced he would seek re-election for the council-at-large seat, ending speculation that he would run for mayor.
"I love the city of New Orleans, and I'm honored to do what I do right now, and I'm excited about the future because I think there's some great days ahead for us," said Fielkow.
Fielkow, who has three kids in college and two younger children, was undecided until Thursday night after day two of qualifying for upcoming elections had already wrapped up for the day.
"Obviously he has family considerations. We saw this before in September when he decided not to run for mayor and that was the main reason was that he wanted to put his family first," said UNO Political Scientist Ed Chervenak.
"I hope that people will respect the fact that when you make these decisions, these are important decisions.. lasting decisions," said Fielkow.
Chervenak said with the current field of candidates, Fielkow is considered a front-runner for one of the two at-large seats, which are citywide seats. He said, "people view him (Fielkow) as you know honest, hard-working, intelligent. So he has the advantage."
Besides Fielkow, there is Eddie Sapir, who told Fox 8 News Thursday evening, without a doubt, he's qualifying Friday for either the at-large council seat or the mayoral race. Sapir has held the at-large seat in the past and Chervenak said he's popular.
With the candidates who have qualified for council-at-large, Chervenak said the real battle will be between councilwomen Jackie Clarkson and Cynthia Willard-Lewis.
"They're so equal in status. They have lots of experience, name recognition. They are proven vote-getters. Jackie Clarkson defeated Cynthia Willard-Lewis by only 2,800 votes last time around.. so they're very, very close," said Chervenak.
Clarkson defeated Willard-Lewis in 2007.
With the addition of Fielkow to the citywide race, there are five candidates. In addition to Clarkson and Willard-Lewis, William "Poppa" Gant and Nolan Marshall have qualified.
The third and final day of qualifying wraps up Friday at 5 p.m.
