NEW ORLEANS -- The race for New Orleans mayor is getting more crowded.
Millionaire businessman John Georges will make it official at a gathering Wednesday in the Treme neighborhood.
Tuesday, he talked about the run with Eyewitness News.
"The citizens of New Orleans want a candidate that can fix the potholes, solve the crime problem, create economic opportunity, somebody's that fair, that they can trust and someone that's honest," said Georges. "I am that candidate for mayor."
Georges spent $12 million, much of it his own money, running for the Louisiana governor's office two years ago. He finished third in the race that was won by Gov. Bobby Jindal.
Georges now plans to spend another $2 million in the mayor's race. He said so far, he hasn't put any of his own money into the campaign.
"I have the resources to run an effective campaign," said Georges. "To get my resume of my record in success in business to the public. It's not going to take as much money this time as people already know who I am. Now they just need to know what I stand for."
Still, $2 million is a lot of money, compared to what the other candidates are now prepared to spend.
The Ed Murray campaign is setting the bar at $1.5 million. Nadine Ramsey said she's working with a $1 million budget. Troy Henry expects to spend about $250,000. James Perry said his campaign is expected to have a budget of $1.2 million.
Loyola University Political Science Professor Peter Burns said Georges' checkbook and name recognition makes him a major player in the race.
"Clearly, you look around the country and people have said they don't like when candidates buy offices," said Burns. "But, let's face it, without money in the American political system, you're not going very far."
"As you know, when I ran for governor, I won the city of New Orleans," said Georges. "I can win it again."
But, Professor Burns said this is a different race.
"He was a local person last time, so he got the local vote," said Burns. "This time he will be one of many locals. So, the votes don't always translate from one race to another. It's a different race all together. It's a different position all together."
Georges is starting this campaign with big promises.
"I will finish the recovery of New Orleans within four years of my campaign," said Georges. "Then we'll move on to other things that we need to do for our city."
Professor Burns said in the governor's race, most of Georges votes came in Uptown New Orleans and Algiers.
He says to win, Georges will have to broaden his base to other neighborhoods.
Right now, the city is about 61 percent African American. That's compared to 67 percent in 2000.
