The Mayor’s Race is Not and Should Not be a Coronation
While declaring a frontrunner in the race for Mayor makes for easy, attention grabbing headlines, it can also breed complacency, a sense of futility and acquiescence among the electorate. Perhaps that is mainstream media’s goal.
As the 2025 New Orleans mayoral race approaches, the city finds itself at a critical juncture. Yet, even before the official campaign season has begun—qualifying for candidates does not open until July—mainstream media outlets have already started to shape the narrative. In particular, there is a persistent refrain that Helena Moreno is the “frontrunner,” a label that, while perhaps convenient for headlines, carries significant risks for the democratic process and the civic health of New Orleans.
There are three declared candidates, but the field could still change, and the platforms, priorities, and visions of these candidates have yet to be fully articulated or debated. Early polling, often cited as evidence of a candidate’s supposed inevitability, is notoriously unreliable at this stage. Polls conducted months before an election are subject to a host of variables: name recognition, fleeting news cycles, and the simple fact that many voters have not yet begun to pay close attention. In a city as dynamic and diverse as New Orleans, early numbers are at best a snapshot of a moment, not a reliable forecast of the future.
The media’s tendency to anoint a frontrunner so early in the process can have a chilling effect on the electorate. When voters are told, repeatedly, that one candidate is all but certain to win, it can breed a sense of futility or complacency. Some may feel that their vote does not matter, that the outcome is predetermined, or that there is little point in engaging with the issues or scrutinizing the candidates’ records and proposals. Maybe, this is exactly what the local mainstream media and other power brokers in our city want. But we say this is dangerous in a local election, where turnout is often lower and the margin of victory can be razor-thin. Every vote truly does count, and every voter has a stake in the outcome.
The mainstream media’s focus on a single “frontrunner” can distort the public’s understanding of what is at stake in the election. The mayor’s race is not, and should not be, a coronation. It is an opportunity for the people of New Orleans to debate the future of their city: how to address crime and public safety, how to invest in infrastructure and education, how to foster economic growth that benefits all residents, and how to preserve the unique culture and spirit that define New Orleans. These are complex, urgent issues that demand careful consideration and robust debate. Reducing the race to a contest of personalities or poll numbers does a disservice to the city and its citizens.
Political history is replete with examples of candidates who led in the polls months before an election, only to falter as the campaign unfolded and voters learned more about their positions, character, and leadership style. Conversely, so-called “underdogs” have and can surge to victory by connecting with voters on the issues that matter most. The fluidity of public opinion is a hallmark of a healthy democracy, and it is precisely why the campaign season exists: to give voters the time and information they need to make an informed choic
It is essential that the media, civic leaders, and voters themselves resist the temptation to treat the 2025 mayoral race as a foregone conclusion. Instead, we should approach the coming months as an opportunity for civic engagement and collective decision-making. Voters should demand substantive debates, scrutinize the candidates’ platforms, and hold them accountable for their promises and past actions. The media, for its part, should strive to provide balanced coverage that highlights the full range of choices and perspectives, rather than amplifying the narrative of inevitability.
Ultimately, the 2025 New Orleans mayor’s race is not about any one candidate. It is about the future of the city itself. The decisions made in this election will shape the lives of residents for years to come. By focusing on the issues, engaging with the process, and refusing to be swayed by premature declarations of frontrunners, the people of New Orleans can ensure that their voices are heard and that their city’s next chapter is written by the many, not the few.
