Former Vice President Kamala Harris swore in Mayor Helena Moreno as the 63rd mayor of New Orleans on Monday, marking the start of her term. Moreno, who won the election with 55% of the vote, takes over from former Mayor LaToya Cantrell, after an administration troubled by a federal fraud indictment and obstruction charges.
Moreno’s inauguration highlighted her diverse political coalition, with Republican and Democratic heavyweights in attendance.
Moreno is also a fan of Tulane University Athletics. She appeared at both the American Conference Championship and the College Football Playoff first round against University of Mississippi to support the Green Wave, sporting a glittery jacket with “Tulane” embossed on it.
Moreno, who was an investigative reporter before getting into politics, served as a state legislator and city council member before becoming mayor.
A host of challenges awaits Moreno, who takes office as the first Latina and second female mayor. New Orleans faces a $222 million budget shortfall, with city workers bracing for layoffs and furloughs. Moreno will also have to restore faith in the mayor’s office after Cantrell’s scandal-ridden administration.
Moreno ran on a platform of restoring reliable city services and improving New Orleans as a business environment. A survey conducted in 2024 by the City Services Coalition found 88% of voters view city government negatively.
Moreno plans to continue fighting against landlords who rent houses to students in Uptown at steep rates. She told The Hullabaloo she wants to work with New Orleans universities to diversify the city’s economy.