What's next for Oliver Thomas
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New Orleans council member Oliver Thomas says he'll do more acting, writing and producing after his term ends Monday.
Why it matters: Thomas' next move has been in question since he lost the mayoral election to Helena Moreno.
The big picture: Thomas told Axios in an exclusive interview that he's "happy" about what's next.
- "I got a place to go already," he said. "A couple of 'em."
- He's accepted a job offer but declined to share details. He previously did development projects and governmental relations for a design engineering company.
- He'll also write and produce shows about race and gender, he said, estimating they'll take about a year to get on stage.
- Plus, Thomas says he's in talks with WBOK about returning to "The Good Morning Show."
Zoom in: Thursday was Thomas' last council meeting as a member. He says he's rooting for Moreno and the next City Council to be successful.
- He's available to help, but he doesn't expect to spend much time in council chambers after Monday, he told WDSU's Travers Mackel.
- "My No. 1 hope is that the next four years, people come together in spite of themselves," he says.
- Is Thomas done with politics? "You never say never," he told Mackel. "I'm New Orleans and New Orleans is me."
Catch up quick: Thomas was first elected to the City Council in 1994. He resigned in 2007 after pleading guilty to a federal bribery charge. He was elected again to the council in 2021.
- During his latest term, he championed causes that promoted New Orleans' culture.
- He also looked for opportunities to include Black leadership and Black-owned businesses.
- Plus, he spearheaded the change in city law that increases job opportunities for people with criminal records.
What's next: Former state Rep. Jason Hughes, the newly elected member for District E, will be sworn in Monday.