Two new polls show Cantrell with double-digit lead over Charbonnet

NEW ORLEANS, LA (WVUE) - We're just days away from the runoff election for New Orleans' next mayor, and two new polls show Latoya Cantrell is leading Desiree Charbonnet in the race.

A UNO poll shows Cantrell with an 11-point lead over Charbonnet, and a Multi-Quest poll commissioned by Sidney Torres' Voice PAC has Cantrell leading by 13 points.

"New Orleans elections are not known for being boring. This could still be a very spirited week, but if these polls are correct, there's a lot of room for Judge Charbonnet to make up if this is going to be a competitive election," said FOX 8 political analyst Mike Sherman.

Despite the latest polling numbers, Charbonnet says she expects to win Saturday.

"Whatever lead, as I said, she had, is dropping significantly, and we are now realizing that people truly want a mayor that they can trust with public money and that is key, you know. We have seen too many instances of that in the past, and we just can't afford a black eye on the community," said Charbonnet.

We requested an interview with Cantrell but were told she wasn't available. In a statement, her campaign says:

"It's encouraging to see this kind of polling but really the most important poll is the one that comes out Saturday. We're doing everything we can to get our message out to voters that we need their votes on Election Day."  

Sherman says the recent controversy surrounding Cantrell's use of a city-issued credit card hasn't affected her momentum.

"What is clear is after enduring a few weeks of negative attention on the credit card issue, Council Member Cantrell is still holding a double-digit lead in the final week of the election," said Sherman.

You can cast your vote in the run off race Saturday, Nov. 18. The polls will be open from 7 a.m.- 8 p.m.

FOX 8 will have complete coverage beginning at 7 p.m. We'll have numbers on air and online when the polls close at 8 p.m. Download our app to get results.

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