Incoming City Council brings deep statehouse experience
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
The incoming New Orleans City Council is packed with political experience, especially at the state level.
Why it matters: Their skills may help reset what has recently been an adversarial relationship with Gov. Jeff Landry and Baton Rouge lawmakers.
The big picture: Four council members are returning — JP Morrell, Lesli Harris, Freddie King III and Eugene Green — and three new members are joining.
- State Rep. Matthew Willard will take over Helena Moreno's at-large seat.
- State Rep. Jason Hughes replaces Oliver Thomas in representing District E (New Orleans East and the Lower 9th Ward).
- Aimee McCarron replaces Joe Giarrusso as the District A rep (Uptown, Mid-City and Lakeview). McCarron previously was Giarrusso's policy and budget director.
Between the lines: Morrell and Mayor-elect Helena Moreno are former state representatives and say that experience helped them as they sought approval from the state for a $125 million loan last year.
- Morrell and Moreno were close allies on the council, and their history is expected to reduce the infighting that has defined City Hall in recent years.
- "Having a mayor with a clear vision for the city will allow the council to focus on the issues that we are tasked with and really be, for the first time in four years, all pulling in the same direction," Morrell told Axios' Chelsea Brasted on election night.
- Giarrusso will run the city's daily operations as Moreno's chief administrative officer. He said improving communication is a top priority and is expected to have regular briefings with the council and press.
What's next: The new council has its first meeting at noon Monday.
Go deeper: What's next for Oliver Thomas