Stage is set for New Orleans sheriff's race
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From left, candidates for Orleans Parish sheriff include Edwin Shorty Jr., incumbent Susan Hutson and Michelle Woodfork. Photos: Courtesy of the Algiers Point Courthouse, Sheriff's Office and NOPD
The race for who'll get to wear the badge as New Orleans sheriff next year is officially set with incumbent Sheriff Susan Hutson getting in the game before qualifying ended Friday.
Why it matters: In New Orleans, the sheriff runs the Orleans Justice Center, the jail from which 10 inmates escaped in May. With law enforcement still looking for one of them, this election stands to be one of the most fascinating to watch.
The big picture: The matchup between Hutson and former interim NOPD chief Michelle Woodfork, who qualified Wednesday, was going to be interesting even before the jailbreak.
- Woodfork, who was beat out for the police department's top cop job in 2023 by chief Anne Kirkpatrick, remains popular. In recent months, she's been working with District Attorney Jason Williams, who has established himself as a stiff ally for Woodfork.
- Hutson secured a political victory earlier this year with a historically-narrow win for a millage renewal to support the jail, but the state's first Black female sheriff's record wasn't without blemishes before the jailbreak.
- Hutson has faced charges of retaliation against an employee, according to The Times-Picayune, and the city's Inspector General said she'd improperly spent public money on deputy hotel rooms during Mardi Gras.
Between the lines: Hutson said she accepts accountability for the jailbreak, and she temporarily suspended her campaign in May to focus on the jail.
- But shortly after the escape, Hutson began blaming the historic jailbreak on a lack of funding that led to an inadequately maintained facility.
By the numbers: Hutson will have to make up some ground to secure a win, according to JMC Analytics' polling numbers taken in New Orleans just after the jailbreak.
- At the time, 63% of "likely voters" said they had a somewhat or very unfavorable opinion of the current sheriff.
- Meanwhile, 49% of "likely voters" said they had a very or somewhat favorable opinion of Woodfork.
- If the election had been held that day, 35% of those polled said they'd vote for Woodfork, compared to 12% for Hutson.
Other candidates who qualified for sheriff include Edwin Shorty Jr., businessman Bob Murray, retired Judge Julian Parker and Ernest Lee, according to The Times-Picayune.
- Shorty currently serves as constable for Orleans' Second City Court. JMC's poll showed that 9% of likely voters would have selected him had the election been held in May. More from his website.
The bottom line: Grab your popcorn. This one's going to be interesting.