Will Sutton: In N.O. mayor's race, how many debates are enough? Moreno, Duplessis, Thomas weigh in. BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist Will Sutton Author email Sep 19, 2025 Sep 19, 2025 Updated Oct 24, 2025 3 min to read SMS Email New Orleans mayoral candidates, left to right, state Sen. Royce Duplessis, City Council Vice President Helena Moreno and City Council member Oliver Thomas participate in WWL Louisiana's mayoral debate. Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Will Sutton State Sen. Royce Duplessis, New Orleans City Council Vice President Helena Moreno and New Orleans City Council Member Oliver Thomas on August 25, 2025 at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport Photo by Sarah Ravits / Gambit Royce Duplessis, Arthur Hunter, Helena Moreno and Oliver Thomas share their plans for New Orleans' future at a Young Leadership Council forum Aug. 5, 2025. Photo by Sarah Ravits / Gambit SMS Email Print Copy article link Save City Council Vice President is leading the pack of mayoral candidates in each poll that has been released publicly — by double digits. That's a comfortable lead, and opponents state Sen. Royce Duplessis and City Council member Oliver Thomas are fighting to gain ground as early voting starts in a few days. , Duplessis and Thomas took note of Moreno's recent absences from several debates and forums, noted by their campaigns and others. The Thomas campaign said he's been at each event where he's been invited but for one. The Duplessis campaign said he's attended 22 such events since entering the race June 29, missing one. The Moreno campaign estimates that she's attended 22, missing a handful. Duplessis and Thomas say she's missed more. I asked each of these three leading mayoral candidates similar questions about the number of debates and forums. I didn't say it exactly the same way each time.But, in so many words, it went something like this: There have been a lot of debates and forums, perhaps more than during other campaign seasons. Are there too many? How are you dealing with so many? Spectators watch the mayoral debate between, from left to right, Royce Duplessis, Frank Janusa, Helena Moreno, and Oliver Thomas at The Times-Picayune office in New Orleans on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. (Photo by Chris Granger, The Times-Picayune) STAFF PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER Moreno has been a part of several livestreamed and televised debates and forums with Duplessis and Thomas, including those hosted by the Times-Picayune | and WWL Louisiana on Tuesday. The Save Our Soul Coalition mayoral event was livestreamed on the group's Facebook page. Recently, there was a New Orleans Small Business Mayoral Forum hosted by a coalition of small businesses at Propeller. There were three chairs. One was empty. "Councilwoman Helena Moreno was set to be here," WDSU-TV anchor Gina Swanson said after introducing Duplessis and before introducing Thomas. "She is not here at this time." Moreno acknowledged that she has missed some, and she has a response."We're at a point where we're really having to balance because we are also getting a lot of feedback that not everybody can go to the big auditorium, not everybody can deal with the parking, what about being in our neighborhood," she told me. "So we've been having to do this kind of rebalance of scheduling a lot of different neighborhood events and meet-and-greets, then, of course, trying to do as many forums as possible …" Moreno said she's been to forums packed with hundreds, and some with five people. "It's been difficult due to the amount of forums that we have," added Moreno. "It's been a lot. You try to do your best, and that's what we're trying to do." When I asked Thomas the same question, he said, "Some of us have gone to them all… I don't want to miss any. The decision for me is that there has to be an effort to engage as many citizens as possible." What difference does it make? "Ideas. Energy," he continued. "I'm not a proponent of limiting dialogue and conversation about our city. I have heard some of the best ideas or motivations to save our city from Ricky Twiggs, Eileen Carter, Mr. (Frank) Janusa, Ms. (Ranada) Collins … In many cases they've motivated me." Like Thomas, Duplessis said he aims to be everywhere he's invited. "All of them are a priority because it's an opportunity for me to connect every audience and stakeholder group throughout the city — but not only to be heard, but to listen to their concerns. It's a sign of respect. It's a sign of acknowledging that I will be present and that they matter." Mayoral candidates Royce Duplessis, Helena Moreno and Oliver Thomas File photos "If you've been invited to and you miss five, six debates, I think that's a bigger question that needs to be asked," added Duplessis, referencing Moreno but not by name. "I wouldn't run for mayor if I wasn't prioritizing being at every single debate that I could be at." Thomas said Duplessis has been at each debate he's attended. Duplessis said Thomas has been at every debate he's attended. Asked about Moreno's attendance, Thomas demurred. Duplessis did not. Has she been at each of those debates? "Absolutely not," Duplessis fired back. "She's missed at least five or six …" I've seen candidates arrive at these events early, late and very late. I've seen candidates arrive rather early, early and leave early. To be fair, because I've been to a bunch of these events, some are better organized than others. Organizers ought to tell audiences when they invited candidates, how things changed and why. You might be shocked. I wish I had space to tell you more. I have places to go, people to see, things to do just like everyone else. But I'm not running to be your mayor.No one made Duplessis, Moreno and Thomas run. I expect to see each at each debate and forum. Email Will Sutton at wsutton@theadvocate.com. SMS Email Print Copy article link Save More information +24 Will Sutton: New Orleans gave Frankie Beverly's family joy to go with the pain of losing him Frankie Beverly was born in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love and sisterly affection. But Frankie Beverly was at home musically with the people of New Orleans. +2 Will Sutton: New Orleans mayoral candidates didn't answer these questions, plus who was missing I've attended several mayoral and other candidate debates and forums in the last several weeks. The Tuesday night event hosted by the Urban League of Louisiana and its coalition partners was one of the biggest. +3 Will Sutton: Love people watching? Do the same for New Orleans candidates in fall election. It's time to candidate people-watch. Attend one or more debates, events and forums and you don't know what you might hear or see. +8 Will Sutton: What really went down when Royce Duplessis was confronted at church? Read on. Columnist Will Sutton opines about the ethics and morality of what went down between mayoral candidate Royce Duplessis and influencer Byron Cole. +6 Will Sutton: Who will be the next New Orleans mayor? Don't count out any candidates yet. It's clear that New Orleans City Council at-large member Helena Moreno has successfully built a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-geographic, multi-party affiliation coalition that has won her some stable support as she pursues becoming the city's next mayor. +4 Will Sutton: Katrina's 20th anniversary has passed, but the real tests start now Will Sutton reflects on Katrina and how New Orleans can do better at addressing its effects. +2 Will Sutton: No one told New Orleans police chief about the National Guard. Here's what she thinks So many people are talking about the National Guard these days. At the behest of President Donald Trump, they went into Los Angeles — unwanted. The president called them into Washington, D.C. — unwanted. He sent them into Memphis — uninvited by the Democratic mayor but OK'd by the Republican governor. +2 Will Sutton: One Louisiana station went dark on Kimmel, but millions nationwide tuned in The official numbers aren't in yet, but it's clear that millions of Americans watched ABC late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel's return to host his "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show Tuesday night. +3 Will Sutton: Does a candidate's voter registration matter? Maybe when you're White but say you're American Indian Would you vote for a White candidate rather than an American Indian candidate? +3 Will Sutton: The New Orleans election is not over. These voters will likely decide who wins. When you read newspaper and other headlines, catch quick radio summaries or see the short reports on television during election season, news about the top-line leaders and their leads, percentages and positions is always catchy. +2 Will Sutton: As New Orleans chooses a new mayor, race and endorsements matter Columnist Will Sutton looks at race, and endorsements, in the New Orleans mayoral campaign."In the race for New Orleans mayor, most serious New Orleans voters are listening to, City Council Vice Presidentand City Council District E memberasto replace Mayor LaToya Cantrell.Each is qualified.One is White. Two are Black.And, yes, race matters. So do endorsements." +3 Will Sutton: Derrick Groves caught in The SWATS in the ATL. He made it 'to easy.' Derrick Groves clearly likes taking risks. +3 Will Sutton: Here's what happened with the New Orleans election, how and why New Orleans voters decided that city government should continue with more of the same next year. +7 Will Sutton: Which groups endorsed the most New Orleans election winners? Here's the rundown. As a chronic voter who votes in nearly every election, even those with a single ballot measure or a neighborhood matter and no candidates, I receive a lot of campaign pitches. In my mailbox, my email and by text. +5 Will Sutton: SCOTUS puts race front and center, as if race never matters. It always matters Race was at the core of Wednesday's U.S. Supreme Courthearing of Louisiana v. Callais and Robinson v. Callais, a pair of complicated cases that will likely change Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act — or get rid of it. +2 Will Sutton: Moreno must confront massive budget deficit to achieve her vision for New Orleans New Orleans CAO Job Ad +4 Will Sutton: A Louisiana justice nominated by Trump is drawing fire. They're pushing him through. President Donald Trump's latest federal nominee, Louisiana Supreme Court Associate Justice Will Crain, demonstrates his administration's continuing effort reshape more of the judiciary in its image. +2 Will Sutton: As New Orleans political heavyweights leave state seats, the scramble is on State Sen. Joe Bouie was in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2014 until 2020 when he was elected to represent State Senate District 3. He was widely considered to be a potential tough challenger to City Council District D member Eugene Green. The July qualifying period was July 9-11. Bouie didn't miss the deadline. Something else was brewing. Tags Hardwall Helena Moreno Oliver Thomas Royce Duplessis New Orleans Mayoral Candidates Will Sutton Author email
+24 Will Sutton: New Orleans gave Frankie Beverly's family joy to go with the pain of losing him Frankie Beverly was born in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love and sisterly affection. But Frankie Beverly was at home musically with the people of New Orleans.
+2 Will Sutton: New Orleans mayoral candidates didn't answer these questions, plus who was missing I've attended several mayoral and other candidate debates and forums in the last several weeks. The Tuesday night event hosted by the Urban League of Louisiana and its coalition partners was one of the biggest.
+3 Will Sutton: Love people watching? Do the same for New Orleans candidates in fall election. It's time to candidate people-watch. Attend one or more debates, events and forums and you don't know what you might hear or see.
+8 Will Sutton: What really went down when Royce Duplessis was confronted at church? Read on. Columnist Will Sutton opines about the ethics and morality of what went down between mayoral candidate Royce Duplessis and influencer Byron Cole.
+6 Will Sutton: Who will be the next New Orleans mayor? Don't count out any candidates yet. It's clear that New Orleans City Council at-large member Helena Moreno has successfully built a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-geographic, multi-party affiliation coalition that has won her some stable support as she pursues becoming the city's next mayor.
+4 Will Sutton: Katrina's 20th anniversary has passed, but the real tests start now Will Sutton reflects on Katrina and how New Orleans can do better at addressing its effects.
+2 Will Sutton: No one told New Orleans police chief about the National Guard. Here's what she thinks So many people are talking about the National Guard these days. At the behest of President Donald Trump, they went into Los Angeles — unwanted. The president called them into Washington, D.C. — unwanted. He sent them into Memphis — uninvited by the Democratic mayor but OK'd by the Republican governor.
+2 Will Sutton: One Louisiana station went dark on Kimmel, but millions nationwide tuned in The official numbers aren't in yet, but it's clear that millions of Americans watched ABC late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel's return to host his "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show Tuesday night.
+3 Will Sutton: Does a candidate's voter registration matter? Maybe when you're White but say you're American Indian Would you vote for a White candidate rather than an American Indian candidate?
+3 Will Sutton: The New Orleans election is not over. These voters will likely decide who wins. When you read newspaper and other headlines, catch quick radio summaries or see the short reports on television during election season, news about the top-line leaders and their leads, percentages and positions is always catchy.
+2 Will Sutton: As New Orleans chooses a new mayor, race and endorsements matter Columnist Will Sutton looks at race, and endorsements, in the New Orleans mayoral campaign."In the race for New Orleans mayor, most serious New Orleans voters are listening to, City Council Vice Presidentand City Council District E memberasto replace Mayor LaToya Cantrell.Each is qualified.One is White. Two are Black.And, yes, race matters. So do endorsements."
+3 Will Sutton: Derrick Groves caught in The SWATS in the ATL. He made it 'to easy.' Derrick Groves clearly likes taking risks.
+3 Will Sutton: Here's what happened with the New Orleans election, how and why New Orleans voters decided that city government should continue with more of the same next year.
+7 Will Sutton: Which groups endorsed the most New Orleans election winners? Here's the rundown. As a chronic voter who votes in nearly every election, even those with a single ballot measure or a neighborhood matter and no candidates, I receive a lot of campaign pitches. In my mailbox, my email and by text.
+5 Will Sutton: SCOTUS puts race front and center, as if race never matters. It always matters Race was at the core of Wednesday's U.S. Supreme Courthearing of Louisiana v. Callais and Robinson v. Callais, a pair of complicated cases that will likely change Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act — or get rid of it.
+2 Will Sutton: Moreno must confront massive budget deficit to achieve her vision for New Orleans New Orleans CAO Job Ad
+4 Will Sutton: A Louisiana justice nominated by Trump is drawing fire. They're pushing him through. President Donald Trump's latest federal nominee, Louisiana Supreme Court Associate Justice Will Crain, demonstrates his administration's continuing effort reshape more of the judiciary in its image.
+2 Will Sutton: As New Orleans political heavyweights leave state seats, the scramble is on State Sen. Joe Bouie was in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2014 until 2020 when he was elected to represent State Senate District 3. He was widely considered to be a potential tough challenger to City Council District D member Eugene Green. The July qualifying period was July 9-11. Bouie didn't miss the deadline. Something else was brewing.