New Orleans has a Project 2025 proposal, but it's not the one you're thinking of
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Councilmember Oliver Thomas laid out his "new agenda" for New Orleans in a column that ran in BlackSourceMedia.com and then the New Orleans Agenda. Screenshot: The New Orleans Agenda
New Orleans City Councilmember Oliver Thomas has proposed a new agenda to transform the city and is calling it "PROJECT2025NOLA."
Why it matters: The program from Thomas, a Democrat who political insiders say is exploring a mayoral run next year, has an awfully similar name to the conservative Project 2025 national initiative with opposing goals.
The big picture: Thomas' PROJECT2025NOLA initiatives are in line with traditional Democratic priorities — early childhood education, social justice, health, poverty reduction and environmental sustainability.
- He outlined 14 points in a guest column for BlackSourceMedia.com that he says offer a "transformative vision for the city, emphasizing inclusivity, equity and economic growth."
- Thomas says his No. 1 priority is implementing a consistent crime reduction strategy, followed by diversifying the city's economy to reduce its reliance on tourism.
- The New Orleans Agenda republished the column on Monday.
The intrigue: It's not clear why Thomas named his strategy similar to a controversial one associated with Republicans.
- The councilman, his office staff and his campaign adviser were not immediately available for comment Tuesday.
The conservative, Heritage Foundation-backed Project 2025 could reshape daily life for millions of Americans if its 900-page wishlist is adopted, writes Axios' Jacob Knutson.
- Recommendations include shrinking social safety nets like food stamps, banning adult entertainment, eliminating free preschool, defunding public broadcasting and privatizing weather forecasts, Knutson writes.
- The director of Project 2025 stepped down Tuesday amid the controversy, Axios' Erin Doherty reports.
Between the lines: Thomas' initiative looks like a mayoral platform, but it's not labeled that way. Thomas has not declared his intentions for next year.
- He and Council president Helena Moreno are seen as the two frontrunners for the 2025 election. She has not announced either, but she's been fundraising and increasing her attendance at public events.
- Richard "Ricky" Twiggs Jr., an independent from Algiers, appears to be the first candidate openly campaigning. He bought billboards earlier this summer declaring "Twiggs for mayor" and has a social media presence.
Yes, but: We have a long way to go before the race gets official.
- Qualifying is in July 2025, followed by the primary in October and the general election in November.
Go deeper:
- An early look at who's running for New Orleans mayor in 2025
- How Project 2025 would change American life
Editor's note: This story has been updated, including with corrections reflecting that Thomas' PROJECT2025NOLA initiative has 14 points, not 15, and that it was originally published on BlackSourceMedia.com (not New Orleans Agenda).