The New Orleans City Council holds their first meeting of the new year today. 2023 is setting up for more showdowns between the council and Mayor LaToya Cantrell.
"Just because it's a new year doesn't mean anything has changed," says Gambit political commentator Clancy DuBos. "The city council is flexing its muscle, the mayor is digging in her heels."
With a police chief nomination on the horizon, we'll see the first example of how the city council will use its new voter-approved confirmation process. The council wants the mayor to conduct an exhaustive search.
"She doesn't want to call it a national search but it better be a national search or the council will not approve her selection," DuBos said.
And in about six weeks, we'll find out whether or not there is public support for a mayoral recall. DuBos says if the mayor is recalled, that could set off a political free for all among council members who have aspirations toward the mayor's office
"No one who's currently in (city) office will have to give up their office to run," he points out.
But that is a big if -- considering how unlikely it is to recall a Louisiana elected official.
