NEW ORLEANS – The field of candidates for the open at-large seat on the New Orleans City Council is now down to seven, with the announcement from the Secretary of State that candidate Eugene Green has withdrawn from the race.
Green, a former chief of staff for ex-Rep. William Jefferson and former city economic development official, confirmed his decision in a statement.
"After great consideration, I have decided to formally withdraw from the election," said Green.
The election is for the remainder of Arnie Fielkow's term. Green said that he will likely run for the full term again when the election is held in 2014.
He had made a respectable showing in terms of fundraising, with $50,000 in his war chest as of the last reporting period. Green trailed only District B councilmember Stacy Head, who led the pack in terms of campaign fundraising.
Head now only faces noteworthy opposition from former council member Cynthia Willard-Lewis and former state Rep. Austin Badon, as well as four other candidates, in the race to replace Arnie Fielkow.
The other candidates still in the race are Norbert Rome, Gary Landrieu, Andrew Gressett and William “Poppa” Gant. Many of them are political novices or candidates who have tried unsuccessfully to run for local and state offices in the past.
The election is Mar. 24 with a runoff, if needed, April 21.
