An unusual surge in Super PAC activity is raising eyebrows in New Orleans’ upcoming mayoral election.
According to newly filed campaign finance records, five political action committees have already pulled in more than $418,000, an unusually high amount for a municipal race.
Political analyst Dr. Ed Chervenak says the heightened interest may stem from recent changes to Louisiana law that affect how Super PACs operate. The adjustments give committees more flexibility, but also make their influence harder to trace.
“These changes open the door to more anonymous money and more attack ads,” Chervenak explained. “Because PACs can’t coordinate directly with candidates, they’ll likely do the attacking, while candidates can claim distance by saying, ‘It wasn’t me.’”
The result could be a more aggressive and unpredictable election season.
Chervenak says while it’s difficult to predict who stands to benefit the most, what’s clear is that the presence of PACs adds a new layer of complexity to the race, and one voters should watch closely.
Another wrinkle to add is that the identity of some donors may remain unknown. Under the current rules, contributors to PACs don’t always have to provide identifying information, making it harder to track who’s backing whom.
With the race heating up, observers say Super PACs could help shape the narrative and tone of the campaigns even if they stay behind the scenes.