Incumbents form ‘Anybody but JP’ alliance in NOLa. at-large race

By Christopher Tidmore
Contributing Writer

It’s common for candidates in a crowded primary to make an informal pact. Two second-tier contenders might pledge to support whichever one of them ends up in the runoff with the frontrunner. Occasionally, a minor candidate might informally share the existence of such a deal with a reporter or voter, to emphasize their ideological difference with the leading contender.

What opposing candidates almost never do is announce publicly that they have issued reciprocal endorsements in the primary, with press releases and blatant media attention. That is, such a move was unheard of, at least until last week.

New Orleans City Council At-Large contenders Kristin Palmer and Jared Brossett jointly endorsed one another, broadcasting their decision on any media platform each could access. The two sitting district councilpersons openly stated that either one of them would be a better choice then former State Senator JP Morrell for the at-large Division 2 position. The question of whether it’s a desperate bid for publicity by two candidates headed for defeat, or a brilliant political stratagem – turning political cynicism into an advantage – remains to be seen.

In particular, quite a few insiders were shocked that Palmer would endorse Brossett. The Council District “C” incumbent has often cited her potential strength citywide (as expressed by her campaign’s internal polling data) in a runoff against Morrell. Her toughest battle seemingly is to edge her way into the top two exiting the primary, so conventional wisdom would suggest that any distraction of her core supporters – from voting for Palmer this November – should be avoided. Logically, the last thing she should do is offer up Jared Brossett as an equally valid choice.

Time and again, though, Palmer has shown that she is willing to take a political gamble. Her decision in early 2020 to run citywide rather than for another four years for her current council seat proves that fact. Brossett was term-limited in his District “D” post, so a race for the open Division 2 At-Large seat was the only way for him to remain on the council, but Palmer surprised quite a few by running for the top job. She was eligible to run for another term in her current Council District “C” spot, after all.

Yet, as with her unorthodox endorsement, making the conventional choice might not have been her most advantageous electoral course. Freddie King, the chief aide of Palmer’s nemesis from the election four years ago (Nadine Ramsey), was already an announced candidate. Defeating Councilwoman Ramsey was a closely won race for Palmer. She won by just 111 votes, even though Palmer herself had held the Council District “C” for the term prior to Ramsey’s election.

Of course, elections to this Algiers-to- French Quarter Council seat are notorious historically for turning out popular incumbents. Jackie Clarkson experienced defeat running for District “C” almost as consistently as she won. The fact that Clarkson had been elected both to at-large council posts and to legislature, as well to District “C” itself carried little weight when she attempted to return to her old council seat eight years ago.

Clarkson, one of the best known and beloved politicians in the city, lost to Nadine Ramsey. In the aftermath, it became clear that Clarkson’s core constituency of preservationists, neighborhood activists, and white progressives was actually stronger citywide than in the Algiers-dominant council seat which launched her career. Palmer’s winning coalition looks a lot like Clarkson’s, so it may have seemed like tempting fate to try a third time for the same office.

Instead, “the gamble” to run citywide might have appeared a safer bet. The same could be true of Palmer’s endorsement of Brossett. Polling data has placed the District “D” Councilman in third place. Short of a miracle, he was not going to make the runoff. Palmer faced the possibility, however, that Morrell might be positioned to earn 50 percent in the primary, even in a contest with four candidates. (Green Party candidate “Bart” Everson is also running.)

Morrell has built a pretty strong biracial coalition. With a higher expected Black turnout in the Mayor’s race, thanks to a frustrated protest vote post Hurricane Ida, Palmer could have worried that a surge in African Americans going to the polls could sink her chances to advance beyond November. To bolster her appeal across racial lines, what better way for a Caucasian contender than to be endorsed by one of her own Black opponents? Brossett likewise might hope that some of either Palmer’s or Morrell’s white support could be motivated to back him instead, thanks to her endorsement.

The two District councilpersons standing together against Morrell could have the effect of legitimizing each enough to guarantee a runoff, and – maybe – to draw away some of his core support through an “anybody but JP” appeal. Or this stratagem could backfire.

Less noticed was that Morrell himself also earned a councilmanic endorsement last week, even as Palmer and Brossett dominated the media coverage. Interim Division 2 Councilmember At -Large Donna Glapion declared that the former State Senator should be her replacement – rather than the two councilmanic colleagues with whom she serves every day.

This article originally published in the October 18, 2021 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.