Photo from Helena Moreno Mayoral Campaign Website
The 2025 New Orleans mayoral election was held on Oct. 11. Voters faced a diverse slate of 14 candidates, ranging from longtime public servants to first-time contenders, and representing three parties: Democrat, Republican and Independent.
Helena Moreno, councilmember-at-large of the New Orleans City Council, emerged as the winner with 57,797 votes, securing 55% of the total, according to data from the Louisiana Secretary of State. Her election as mayor will shape the future of New Orleans for the next four years. Here’s a closer look at Moreno and the three other top candidates:
Helena Moren0 (55.0%)
Moreno is a Mexican-American who was born in Xalapa, Mexico, and moved to the United States with her father, Felix Moreno, who was seeking better opportunities, according to her campaign website.
Elected City Council President in 2017, she built a reputation as a strong advocate for underrepresented communities and the citizens of New Orleans.
Her policies focus on a comprehensive 15-year public safety plan emphasizing youth engagement, coordinated policing, victim support, and violence prevention, aiming to address both the causes and effects of crime.
One of her overall goals is to ensure New Orleans is “open for business” by reducing barriers for companies, supporting small businesses, and ensuring equitable access to economic growth.
Moreno has specific plans for New Orleans East, including the creation of a New Orleans East City Hall Annex to house a dedicated team focused solely on the area’s development.
Royce Duplessis (22.4%)
Duplessis is a proud New Orleanian raised in the Pontchartrain Park neighborhood of Gentilly. He was shaped by a family devoted to community service and entrepreneurship, according to his campaign website.
Duplessis was inspired by his father, Wilfred Duplessis, who dedicated his career to serving children with disabilities as an Adapted Physical Education teacher, and by his grandparents, who ran a small corner grocery store from the 1950s to the 1970s.
He currently serves in the Louisiana State Senate and has passed over 140 legislative instruments since taking office in 2018.
His policy priorities include expanding affordable housing, investing in childhood education, addressing substance abuse, improving mental health resources, and upgrading the city’s infrastructure.
Oliver Thomas (18.7%)
Also known as “OT,” Thomas hails from the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. He is the son of a laborer and has attended several universities, including Harvard, the College of Santa Fe, and the Aspen Institute, according to his campaign website.
Thomas’ policies included a 90-Day Pothole Fix Guarantee, expanding access to grants, loans, and city contracts for historically excluded entrepreneurs, and prioritizing investment in New Orleans East to address food deserts and stimulate economic growth.
In addition to Moreno being elected as mayor, there will be at least three new members of the city council. One of whom is State Representative Matthew Willard, who won Moreno’s council-at-large seat. The other two new members are replacing Councilman Joe Giarrusso, who could not seek re-election due to term limits and Councilman Oliver Thomas. That race is going to a run-off.
New Orleans also elected Former NOPD Police Chief Michelle Woodfork as Sheriff.
Moreno will take office as mayor on January 12, 2026.