What We’re Saying: Our Endorsements

With early voter underway, The New Orleans Tribune makes the following endorsements in the Nov. 6 election. Much discussion has gone into these recommendations. Each election cycle, we all to often find ourselves repeating the same pattern—meeting with candidates, listening to the pie-in-the-sky promises and platforms, detailing the issues we believe are important to our community, watching them get elected . . .  and then being disappointed by their failure to do that is right or best to serve and protect the communities and neighborhoods that are comprised of the people whose votes they seek. Then, when it is time to be re-elected, they return—seeking endorsements and more importantly, votes. We’ve grown tired of the round-about. There are too many communities hurting and families suffering. Too many wrongs that need to be righted to continue to reward those who get elected only to serve special interests or their own with no regard for their constituency. Accountability is a must.

SECRETARY OF STATE
RENEE FONTENOT FREE

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 1
LEE ANN DUGAS

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2
CEDRIC RICHMOND

U.S. Rep Richmond has worked hard for the people of the Louisiana’s second congressional district and for Black, brown and disenfranchised communities throughout the country. His dedication to standing up for right and fairness—particularly in the uncertain, racist and sometimes bizarre political climate that marks the current administration has not gone unnoticed. We need his continued voice in Congress as well as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, where he served as chairman during last session. There is no one in this field of candidates that can do the job better than Cedric Richmond. We urge his re-election.

JUDGE CIVIL DISTRICT COURT, DIVISION E
OMAR MASON

We first met attorney Omar Mason during his last bid for a judgeship. While opting to endorse his opponent in the race, we considered him a capable and sensible professional who would make a fair and thoughtful judge then. To us, his time has come. A native New Orleanian with deep ties to the community, we believe Omar Mason will make an excellent civil district court judge, and urge you to vote for him. Even so, we are impressed by tenacity of Richard Perque, Mason’s opponent in this race. He appears committed and especially dedicated to serving families in Orleans Parish as a civil district court judge. We would look forward to seeing him as a candidate again and would be inclined to give him serious consideration in the future.

CLERK CIVIL DISTRICT COURT
CHELSEY RICHARD NAPOLEON OR JARED BROSSETT

What’s not to like about Chelsey Richard Napoleon. She has the professional experience and educational background that makes her perfect selection for Orleans Parish’s next Clerk of Civil District Clerk. Add to that a drive and dedication exhibited best by her own personal story—law school at night while raising her family and working full-time in the clerk’s office, rising to the position of chief deputy clerk. In Napoleon, the people of Orleans Parish will surely have a tenacious public servant—one not afraid of hard work and capable of handling a number of important tasks at once. Since April, she has been serving as interim clerk of court and her election to the post would ensure continuity.

While we are especially excited about Napoleon’ candidacy and the new energy she brings, we cannot discount the longtime service of Jared Brossett, who currently represents the people of District D on the City Council and has served in the state legislator. We are certain Brossett will be a responsive and efficient clerk of civil district court if elected.

CLERK FIRST CITY COURT
TIMOTHY DAVID RAY OR AUSTIN BADON

We first met Timothy David Ray during his bid for City Council District B. We liked him then, and we like him now. He has been serving as interim clerk since earlier this year, proving he is more than capable of handling the task. An attorney by training, Ray strikes us as a professional and knowledgeable candidate who will bring fresh energy and new ideas to the office. We strongly encourage our dedicated readers to consider him.

Still,  former state legislator Austin Badon’s long-time service to the people of New Orleans is important. We believe he too would serve as a competent clerk of first city court, if elected.
 

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1: AN AMENDMENT TO PROHIBIT A CONVICTED FELON FROM RUNNING FOR PUBLIC OFFICE FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS AFTER HE/SHE HAS SERVED HIS/HER SENTENCE
NO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2: AN AMENDMENT TO REQUIRE UNANIMOUS JURY VERDICTS IN NON-CAPITAL FELONY CASES FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED AFTER 2018
YES

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 3: AN AMENDMENT TO ALLOW DONATIONS OF THE USE OF PUBLIC EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL FROM ONE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION TO ANOTHER UNDER THE CONSTITUTION
YES

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 4: AN AMENDMENT TO REMOVE THE AUTHORITY TO USE MONEY IN THE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND BY THE STATE POLICE FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL PURPOSES
YES

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 5: AN AMENDMENT TO EXTEND ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN SPECIAL PROPERTY TAX TREATMENTS TO BE HELD IN TRUST
YES

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 6: AN AMENDMENT TO REQUIRE A FOUR-YEAR PHASE-IN OF TAX LIABILITY FOR HOMES SUBJECT TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION WHEN REAPPRAISAL INCREASES ASSESSMENTS BY MORE THAN 50 PERCENT.
YES

PW FANTASY SPORTS – A PROPOSITION TO MAKE FANTASY SPORTS BETTING LEGAL
NO