NEW ORLEANS — There will be a lot of new faces on the New Orleans City Council next year with two incumbents losing runoff elections.
WWL-TV projects that both Jay Banks and Cyndi Nguyen lost their re-election bids Saturday night. Lesli Harris and Oliver Thomas will take their seats on Jan. 24.
Freddie King handily won the District C runoff to represent New Orleans' west bank and the French Quarter.
The District D runoff came down to just 60 votes, with Eugene Green getting the win.
For full election results from across Louisiana, click here.
Lesli Harris wins District B Runoff
Lesli Harris upset incumbent District B Councilmember Jay Banks Saturday night, winning a seat on the New Orleans City Council.
Harris attributed her win to the "wide coalition" of people that supported her and were ready for change in New Orleans.
"I'm ready to roll my sleeves up and work with the mayor to make sure this city pushes forward in a positive way," Harris said after her win.
Banks conceded the election to Lesli Harris just after 9 p.m. Tuesday night.
"Truth be told, I'm glad that this is over. This has been a torturous process," Banks said. "I congratulate her and wish her well and whatever help I can give her I'm willing to do."
Freddie King wins District C Runoff
Freddie King III was considered the front runner for the District C council seat from the day he qualified for the race. Saturday night, he proved pundits right.
King, who has roots on the Westbank, will represent Algiers, the French Quarter, parts of Treme and the 7th Ward along with the Marigny and Bywater.
King had several high-level endorsements, including Gov. John Bel Edwards and Mayor LaToya Cantrell. He dominated the primary, earning 44% of the vote versus the 16% opponent Stephanie Bridges garnered.
"I can’t wait to get to work fighting for the people of District C," King said. "You deserve a seat at the table and a voice in the conversation when it comes to decisions that impact your neighborhood. I’m going to make that happen."
Eugene Green wins District D Runoff
If you don’t think that every vote matters, take a look at District D.
Eugene Green beat troy Glover by just 60 votes in Saturday’s runoff election.
Green is not a stranger to public service, holding positions as Mayor Marc Morial's economic development director and former US Rep. William Jefferson's chief of staff.
Oliver Thomas wins District E Runoff
Oliver Thomas defeated Cyndi Nguyen to complete his return to New Orleans politics, representing New Orleans E as the city councilmember for District E.
Thomas was once a rising political star in New Orleans. Many believed he'd be mayor before a bribery scandal sent him to jail.
"He doesn't hide it. He went to jail in a federal prison for accepting a bribe while he was a councilman at-large," WWL-TV political analyst Clandy DuBos said. "He's never hidden the fact or tried to downplay it ... he has the redemption story."