NEW ORLEANS – Two candidates, Eddie Sapir and Darren Mire, running for the two New Orleans City Council at-large seats have withdrawn their names from the race.
Sapir and Mire both made their announcements around 3 p.m.
Not wanting to engage in divisive politics, Sapir, a former Municipal Court judge and councilman, said he decided to drop from the race.
“(A)fter much thought, I have determined that, although I have broad support and the ability to return to the Council, this community cannot and should not be forced to endure the tough and divisive campaign that would inevitably take place.”
Mire, who is currently the First District Assessor, said, “I offered myself as a candidate of choice for one of two at large seats on the New Orleans City Council; however, there are times in life when timing and opportunity are not necessarily compatible with what we seek to do."
Eyewitness News political analyst Clancy DuBos said the state senate seat could have something to do with the candidate's decisions.
"Eddie Sapir is of course a prime example now. It was a big story when he got in the race, and it is a significant development that he is out of the race," DuBos said.
"It is equally significant that Darren Mire has dropped out – the incumbent assessor from the downtown CBD area dropping out. I’m not sure why Mire is doing that; it might be having trouble raising money. He is a political ally of Karen Carter Peterson, who is going to be raising money to run for the state senate seat that Cheryl Gray Evans is vacating. And it might be the old political organization doesn’t want to be stretched too thin," DuBos said.
There are seven candidates still in the race, including incumbent council at-large members Jackie Clarkson and Arnie Fielkow; current District E council member Cynthia Willard-Lewis; as well as activist Nolan Marshall, perennial candidate William "Poppa" Gant, chef Greg Sonnier; and Lance von Uhde III.
