To quote Clancy Dubos quoting something James Carville once told him, "Outside of president of the United States, being mayor of a major American city is the most difficult job in politics."
“Every election is a unique event,” that’s some more advice Clancy Dubos, political editor and columnist at the Gambit, shared with Tommy Tucker as they discussed the upcoming New Orleans mayoral election.
There's little doubt that this election will be a unique one. First, it's New Orleans. Second, it’s an open election, meaning no incumbent. Plus, the outgoing Cantrell administration has earned itself a near 60% disapproval rating... The next mayor has a tall order to fill.
New Orleans City Council member Helena Moreno is the first to launch her bid for mayor and is considered to be a front-runner, regardless of who enters the race.
So is there any way to tell where this circus is headed?
WWL asked Clancy Dubos. He sheds some light on the details of the upcoming election, shares trends from previous open elections, speaks on the role money will play in this cycle, and explains who he thinks will toss their hat in the ring in the coming months.
You can listen to the full interview above. But we'll leave you with one thing Dubos said earlier today:
“Right now, Moreno looks like a prohibitive favorite. But the race is almost a year away. And that's why we run the race, because candidates get tested, their ability to think on their feet and their ability to communicate a winning message that resonates with voters and inspires them to believe in…This is the starting gate. I wouldn't even say it's the starting gate because we only have one horse at the track.”