Oliver Thomas, former New Orleans City Councilmember At-Large and convicted felon, has won his comeback bid to reenter New Orleans politics, according to WWL-TV projections.
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Thomas defeated incumbent Cyndi Nguyen for the District E position that represents eastern New Orleans.
Thomas was a popular city council member once talked of as a future New Orleans mayor before he admitted guilt to federal charges of corruption in 2007. Prosecutors said Thomas took money in exchange for steering city contracts to certain bidders.
In District B, incumbent Jay Banks lost to Leslie Harris. Voters were not persuaded by endorsements for Banks that included Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards.
Incumbents were 50/50 in reelection bids. In the primary, Councilmember At-Large Helena Moreno and District A councilman Joe Giarrusso won reelection.
Kristin Gisleson Palmer passed up an opportunity to run for reelection to the District C seat and ran for the At-Large Division 2 post, losing to J.P. Morrell. Freddie King III won the runoff for District C.
In District D, where Jared Brossett was term-limited out, Eugene Green is the unofficial winner, with just a 60-vote margin over Troy Glover.