La. Lieutenant Governor Elected New Orleans Mayor

NEW ORLEANS – Louisiana Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu has been elected mayor of New Orleans, replacing term-limited Ray Nagin and becoming the majority-black city’s first white mayor since 1979.

Landrieu is a 49-year-old moderate Democrat who won Saturday in a landslide over a field of 10 opponents in a campaign that focused on the city’s slow recovery from Hurricane Katrina, violent crime and slumping city finances. The city’s last white mayor was Landrieu’s father, Moon Landrieu.

Voting came amid Carnival celebrations and preparations for Sunday’s New Orleans Saints’ appearance in the Super Bowl.

As returns came in, jubilation spread through the Landrieu headquarters in a hotel ballroom – festooned with black and gold balloons in a nod to the Saints. A brass band played Mardi Gras music and meandered through the room.