Historic Election in New Orleans

By Benjamin Bates

It was a historic night for voters nationwide. In New Orleans citizens went to the ballot to vote for several elected offices and Louisiana Constitutional Amendments on the ballot. Including Constitutional Amendment 2, a controversial Jim Crow law where persons in the state could be convicted of serious felonies with 10-2 non-unanimous could lead to long prison sentences. (story on Amendment 2 appears in page 11 of this issue).

Data News Weekly in our role as “The People’s Paper” want to give you a snapshot and insight on several races we’ve been focusing on and their importance to our community.

U.S. House of Representatives
In the race for Louisiana Congressional District 2 incumbent Cedric Richmond handily won re-election winning 81 percent of the vote. In this session of Congress, with the House of Representatives being controlled by Democrats many issues surrounding healthcare, the economy, criminal justice reform and of course fighting against the Trump agenda.

In this session the voices of the Democrats can be a voice to be reckoned with in legislative matters. And on a local front as Cedric Richmond has ascended to a leadership position as Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and a leader in many issues including championing criminal justice reform. He joined with many leaders across the state to support Amendment 2.

It is a time where we look to our elected leader in the nation’s capital to continue to work with other local and state elected officials to have more resources allocated to our state to deal with many of the issues we face in Louisiana. And with a leader in Richmond, who has the experience, knowledge, position and relationships we have a person who will fight for the people of Louisiana Congressional District 2.

Clerk of Orleans Parish Civil District Court
In the race for Clerk of Orleans Parish Civil District Court Chelsey Richard Napoleon won in a hotly contested race against District D City Councilman Jared Brossett. Inside of CAVA, a restaurant in the Lakeview section of New Orleans she was surrounded by family, friends and her supporters. Already experienced in running the office, being the Chief Deputy for 11 years, she vowed to continue to innovate the office and to serve the people of the city with honor and integrity.

While many focus on offices such as the Mayor and City Council, this office is one where many may find themselves having to go in their day to day activities. This office consists of two divisions – Land Records and Civil. Our Civil Division is where civil cases, such as personal injury, accidents, successions and foreclosures are filed. Domestic matters, such as divorce and child support, are also handled in the Civil Division.

Their Land Records Division is where documents regarding property are recorded. Documents regarding changes in ownership, sales donations, as well as, mortgages, liens, and encumbrances are recorded in our Land Records Division.

The Notarial Archives Research Center is also located in our Land Records Division. These documents, which date back to the 1700s, represent the rich history of New Orleans. Their archives can be used for property, genealogical, architectural and landscaping research.

First City Clerk of Court
In the race for First City Clerk of Court, a post that handles small claims and evictions was won by former Louisiana State Represent Representative Austin Badon over Tinothy David Ray, 64 to 36 percent. Ray, a local attorney who made his second run at elected office. He was the interim Clerk of First City Court replacing previous officeholder Ellen Hazeur, who won an election to serve on the Orleans Parish Civil District Court.

Badon is returning to elected office after serving as a Louisiana State Representative representing District 100 from 2003 to 2015 when he was term limited. During his time in as a State Representative Badon, sponsored a bill to reduce penalties for possession of marijuana, supported state tax incentives to bring an NBA team into the state and voted for state income tax deductions for taxpayers contributing to college scholarship fund.

Runoff Election December 8

Judge Civil District Court Division E
In the race for Civil District Court Division E, Attorney Omar Mason first placed first and will be in a run-off election against second place finisher Attorney Marie Williams.

Louisiana Secretary of State

Also on the ballot on Dec. 8 there will be the run-off for Louisiana Secretary of State with Republican Kyle Ardoin, against Gwen Collins-Greenup.

Data News Weekly would like to thank all those who came out and vote and we encourage all our citizens to get involved in issues that affect our community.