New Orleans voters are heading to the polls today. They’ll decide if incumbent Mayor Mitch Landrieu gets a second four-year term.
Mayor Landrieu promised four years ago to reduce crime. The number of murders has dropped in the city – 155 last year; 193 the year before.
But critics say other violent crime is up, and the murder rate of 42 per 100,000 is still one of the highest in the nation. Landrieu remains popular, however, according to surveys conducted by the University of New Orleans.
Two fellow Democrats challenging his re-election say building projects and improvements seen since Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005 are not spread evenly throughout the city. If a runoff is needed, it will be held in March.
