Congemi considers running for Westbank at-large seat against Roberts

By Christopher Tidmore
Contributing Writer

While all the attention has concentrated on the contenders for Jefferson Parish President, a former Kenner Police Chief and brother of a late Councilman, is himself thinking of a bid for Parishwide office.

Nick Congemi has $200,000 in his campaign account, and he’s thinking about running for Council At-Large. His target is West Bank At-Large Councilman Chris Roberts, at least according to several Council insiders.

“Chris has a little baggage,” said one political consultant who is working for neither candidate. That is likely part of the reason the former Kenner Police chief would opt for Roberts’ seat, rather than the open At-Large seat for which District 5 Councilwoman Cynthia Lee-Sheng announced last week.

CONGEMI

Taking on the daughter of Harry Lee might not be the safest way for a candidate, who made his reputation in law enforcement, to succeed, of course. Yet, Roberts would be no easy election either. First elected to the School Board before even finishing college, Chris Roberts himself was considered a possible contender for the Parish Presidency this year, before endorsing Elton Lagasse.

As incumbent Councilman At-Large, he enjoys almost ubiquitous support on the West Bank. Roberts began as a protégé of former Councilman Butch Ward, and counts many of the key political players on the other side of the river, from State Senate President John Alario of Westwego to former Gretna Mayor and State Rep. Ricky Templet as close allies.

For that reason, some believe that Congemi might set his eyes lower, on the District 5 seat, but, residency issues aside, that office is already being eyed, reportedly, by a senior aide of Parish President John Young—who has not announced so as to not lose her current job.

Aides to that candidate in question have asked that her name be reserved until late April, but brampton payday cash advance word has it in the political community that her personal warchest would rival Congemi’s.

Whether the former Kenner Police Chief could beat a sitting Councilman At-Large remains unclear, but the contest would be a conventional East-West campaign. Upon that reality, Con­gemi bets.

There are more people on the East Bank than the West Bank. With two East Bank candidates for Parish President, a popular East Bank At-Large candidate in Lee-Sheng for the open seat (probably with token opposition) and most of the West Bank council candidates elected unopposed or running with token opposition, Congemi could theoretically count upon a strong East Bank turnout to carry him in over Roberts, regardless of the latter’s strength of incumbency.

Normally, the Governor’s race, and other statewide elections would minimize Congemi’s turnout advantage, generating higher numbers of both sides of the river (and throughout the state). Yet, this year could prove different, in Jefferson Parish at least. Considering the leading Gubernatorial contender is US Senator David Vitter of Metairie and the foremost Lt. Gubernatorial aspirant is Jefferson Parish President John Young (an East Banker as well), Congemi may hope for the homecourt advantage as their East Bank supporters rush to the polls in record numbers to carry the “local boys” into the top jobs.

Of course, in Roberts’ favor is the fact that former Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser will be generating turnout amongst his allies on the West Bank, and spending money to trump Young’s strength in East Bank Jefferson and Orleans parishes.

Regardless, the At-Large contest should be as exciting a contest as Parish President, should Congemi choose to qualify against Roberts as he has suggested.

This article originally published in the April 6, 2015 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.