The New Orleans City Council is the legislative branch of the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Established in 1954 through a home rule charter, it replaced the city’s previous commission form of government created under the 1912 Charter. The current structure includes seven members: five elected from single-member districts and two elected at-large. Council members serve four-year terms, elected using the two-round system.
The Council holds broad legislative powers, including enacting local laws, approving the city budget, and overseeing taxation and appropriations. It is responsible for laws related to public health, safety, welfare, and urban development, such as zoning regulations, housing standards, and land use policies. The Council also acts as a Board of Review for property tax assessments and has final approval over significant contracts, appointments, and city agency budgets. Its authority extends uniquely to regulating electric and gas utilities within the city, a power typically reserved for state commissions in most U.S. municipalities.
Members The Council’s structure includes a president and vice president chosen from among its members at its organizational meeting following elections. One at-large member serves as president, while any other member may serve as vice president. Leadership traditionally rotates annually between the two at-large members. Council business is supported by personal and central staff, with additional assistance from executive branch advisors. Public transparency is maintained through open meetings, public records compliance, and adherence to state and city ethics codes.
The current members of the New Orleans City Council:
Officers: President: Jean-Paul Morrell
District Name Party A Aimee McCarron DEM B Lesli Harris DEM C Freddie King III DEM D Eugene J. Green DEM E Jason Hughes DEM At-large Division 1 Matthew Willard DEM At-large Division 2 Jean-Paul "JP" Morrell DEM
All 7 members of the council are Democrats
Council members 1803–1828 TermMayorFirst DistrictSecond DistrictThird DistrictFourth DistrictFifth DistrictSixth DistrictSeventh DistrictEight DistrictUnknownDecember 20, 1803 – May 26, 1804Étienne de BoréCaraby, S. LandreauLouis Lioteau, P. ProfitAllard Jr., Caricks, Cavelier Petit, Lebreton Deschapelles, Donaldson, François Joseph LeBreton Dorgenois, Joseph Faurie, Fortier, W. E. Hulings, Jones, J. Livaudais, Pierre Petit, James Pitot, Thomas H. Porée, A. D. Tureaud, Villere, J. N. Watkins, S. WinterJune 6, 1804 – July 26, 1805Cavelier PetitFelix Arnaud, James GarrickFrancois Duplessis, Joseph FaurieJ. D. D. Bellechasse, Guy DreuxAntoine Argotte, Pierre Bertonnière, P. ProfitThomas L. Harman, P. Lavergne, Macdonaugh, S. WinterJohn B. Macarty, F. K. DorvilleFrançois Joseph LeBreton Dorgenois, François M. Guerin, Thomas H. PoréeHazeur Delorme Sr., W. Donaldson, M. Fortier, J. W. Gurley, J. Livaudais, Pollock, Pierre Petit, John WatkinsJune 6, 1804 – July 26, 1805James PitotJuly 27, 1805 – March 8, 1807John WatkinsFelix ArnaudFrancois Duplessis, Joseph Faurie, D. UrquhartDeflechier, Guy Dreux, RobelotAntoine Carraby, Thomas L. Harman, P. Lavergne, Macdonaugh, S. WinterJohn B. Macarty, Lebreton Deschapelles, MayronneLouis Blanc, Deflechier, Hazeur Delorme Sr., J. Du Buys, Guillotte, J. Livaudais, Arnaud Magnon, C. Patton, Pedesclaux, Pollock, Denis de la Ronde, Charles TrudeauMarch 9, 1807 – May 23, 1812James MatherJean Lanna, Thomas H. Porée, L. S. FontaineFrancois Duplessis, Joseph Faurie, J. Henderson, R. Relf, D. Urquhart, J. StarrettPierre Bertonnière, Deflechier, F. K. Dorville, Lafon, Robelot, J. Soulie, C. TremeM. Bertoniere, A. Chastant, H. Lavigne, Ferdinand PercyW. Brand, Antoine Carraby, James Freret, Thomas L. Harman, B. Morgan, J. Nc Neil, S. WinterJ. D. D. Bellechasse, L. Bouligny, Lebreton Deschapelles, Paul Lanusse, Francois Livaudais Sr. John B. Macarty, MayronneJ. Blanque, J. Castanedo S. Duffossat, François M. GuerinB. Marigny, Pierre MissotiereCenas, Colsson, Fortin, Laronde, Arnaud Magnon, C. PattonMay 23, 1812 – October 8, 1812Charles TrudeauOctober 8, 1812 – November 5, 1812Nicholas GirodJohn R. Grymes, O. H. Spencer, Maunsell WhiteAlexander C. Chopin, Ferdinand Percy, Paul LanusseJ. B. Dejan Sr., Honoré Landreau, Pierre RogerJ. Lanna, Nicholas Lauve, J. ThierryJ. Blanque, B. MarignyJames Freret, Antoine CarrabyChevalier Doriocourt, Louis FoucherFrançois Joseph LeBreton Dorgenois, Samuel C. YoungS. Henderson, Augustin de Macarty, MonlonNovember 6, 1812 – December 4, 1812François Joseph LeBreton DorgenoisSamuel C. YoungDecember 5, 1812 – September 4, 1815Nicholas GirodFrançois Joseph LeBreton Dorgenois, Samuel C. YoungSeptember 4, 1815 – May 13, 1820Augustin de MacartyW. A. Depeyster, J. S. Gilly, Samuel H. Harper, Nathan Morse, Ben P. Porter, Spencer, James W. WidneyE. Carraby, Zenon Cavelier, Alexander C. Chopin, Ferdinand Percy, Joseph Tricou PereA. Davezac, Francois Dreux Sr., G. Preval, H. Remi, M. Roche, Roger, John SoulieA. Abat, Pierre Cherbonnier, Jean Lanna, Eugene Leveau, J. QuessartL. S. Blancard, J. Blanque, B. Marigny, Edmond MeanceJ. B. Plauche, Louis Philippe de Roffignac, James Freret, V. Rillieux, A. H. SmithThomas Bryant, T. A. RousseauR. Blanc, Samuel C. YoungMay 14, 1820 – May 18, 1828Louis Philippe de RoffignacS. Blanc, W. Christy, Martin Gordon, Livermore, W. Morse, Paulding, S. Paxton, Alexander Philips, Ben P. Porter, Isaac T. Preston, J. L. Preston, Ripley, J. H. Shepherd, D. Urquhart, C. WestBacas, E. Carraby, Lenon Cavelier, N. Girod, B. Gryma, N. Lauve, Yves L. Monier, Reynes, Thomas, J. B. B. Vignie, J. B. WiltzA. Abat, Bernard, M. Cruzat, A. Davezac, J. B. Faget, Mercier, Mittenberger, T. Mossey, Gallien Preval, J. RodriguezFrancois Benetaud, J. Cucullu, Jean Lanna, B. Montreuil, Peychaud, J. QuessartL. S. Blancard, J. F. Canonge, Leander La Coste, L. C. Hiligsberg, B. Marigny, Edmond Meance, NabaThomas Bickel, Nathaniel Cox, Harvey Elkins, Francois Gaiennie, Samuel H. Harper, P. D. Henry, John Linton, W. N. Montgomery, H. W. Palfrey, F. L. Turner, Maunsell WhiteJ. A. Fort, Burthe, P. Foucher, Charles Genois, Kenny Laverty, P. A. RousseauL. Allard, B. Beauregard, E. Blanc, M. Fleytas
Council members under the 1954 Charter Under the 1954 Charter, council members are elected to four-year terms that begin on the first Monday in May following the election, except that a councilmember elected to fill a vacancy serves only for the remainder of the unexpired term. Vacancies that occur less than one year before the end of the term may be filled by appointment; vacancies of a year or longer are filled by special election, and that vacancy may be filled by appointment for the period before the special election.New Orleans Home Rule Charter, Section 3-105 After the regular 1970 elections, a redistricting dispute delayed the next regular Council elections until 1976, and the following regular Council election was held in 1978. Effective in 1991, a council member who has served more than one and a half terms in two consecutive terms may not be elected to the office for the following term. Beginning in 2014 the at-large seats are voted on as separate offices, designated as Division 1 and Division 2. Effective June 1, 2018, the terms of office begin on the second Monday in January following the election.New Orleans Home Rule Charter, Section 3-102, June 29, 2015
Office holders for terms before 2022 and reference notes for those office holders are from the City Archives at the New Orleans Public Library. Office holders for the 2022-2026 term are from the Louisiana Secretary of State election results for the November 13, 2021, general election and the December 11, 2021, runoff election.
TermAt-Large SeatsDesignation of seats as Division 1 and Division 2 began in 2014District Seats Division 1 Division 2 A B C D E 1954-1958Glenn P. ClasenVictor H. SchiroA. Brown MoorePaul V. BurkeJames E. FitzmorrisFred J. CassibryWalter M. Duffourc1958-1962Glenn P. Clasen1958-1961; appointed CAO, January 1961
James A. Comiskey1961-1962; elected to fill Clasen's unexpired termVictor H. Schiro1958-1961; appointed to fill Mayor Morrison's unexpired term, 1961
Theodore Hickey1961-1962; appointed to fill Schiro's unexpired termHenry B. CurtisFred J. Cassibry1958-1961; elected judge, Civil District Court, July 1960
John J. Petre1961-1962; elected to fill Cassibry's unexpired termTheodore Hickey1958-1961; appointed to fill Schiro's unexpired At-Large term, 1961
Walter M. Duffourc1961-1962; appointed to fill Hickey's unexpired term, 19611962-1966James E. FitzmorrisJoseph V. DiRosa Walter F. Marcus1962-1966; elected judge, Civil District Court, 1966Clarence O. Dupuy, Jr.John J. PetreDaniel Kelly1966-1970John J. PetreMoon LandrieuElected Mayor, 1970 Eddie L. Sapir1967-1970; elected to fill Marcus' unexpired termJames A. MoreauPhilip Ciaccio1970-1976After the regular 1970 elections, a redistricting dispute delayed the next regular Council elections until 1976. The next regular election for Council was held in 1978. Joseph V. DiRosaJames A. MoreauPeter H. Beer1970-1974; elected to La. Court of Appeals, 1974
Frank Friedler1974-1976; elected to fill Beer's unexpired termEddie L. Sapir1970-1975; elected judge of Municipal Court, 1975
A.L. Davis1975-1976; appointed to fill Sapir's unexpired termJohn D. Lambert1976-1978Joseph I. Giarrusso Frank FriedlerA.L. DavisMike EarlyBrod Bagert1978-1982Sidney J. BarthelemyElected Mayor, 1986Frank Friedler1978-1980; retired, 1980
Joel Loeffleholz1980-1981; appointed to fill Friedler's unexpired term
Bryan Wagner1981-1982; elected to fill Friedler's unexpired termJames (Jim) SingletonBrod Bagert1978-1980; elected to La. Public Service Commission, 1980
Niles Hellmers1980-1981; elected to fill Bagert's unexpired term, 1980; elected City Court judge, 1981
Lambert Boissiere1981-1982; elected to fill Hellmers' unexpired termPhilip Ciaccio1978-1982; appointed judge, La. 4th Cirtcuit Court of Appeals, January 1982
Howard Beck1982; appointed to fill Ciaccio's unexpired term1982-1986Bryan WagnerLambert BoissiereWayne Babovich1982-1985; resigned, 1985
Ulysses Williams1985-1986; appointed to fill Babovich's unexpired term1986-1990Dorothy Mae TaylorPeggy WilsonJohnny Jackson, Jr.1990-1994Term limits went into effect in 1991.Jacquelyn B. Clarkson1994-1998Peggy WilsonJames (Jim) SingletonSuzanne Haik TerrellOliver ThomasTroy CarterRoy GlapionEllen Hazeur-Distance1998-2002Eddie L. SapirSuzanne Haik Terrell1998-1999; resigned when elected La. Elections Commissioner
Howell Crosby2000; appointed to fill Terrell's unexpired term
Scott Shea2000-2002; elected to fill Terrell's unexpired termRoy Glapion1998-1999; died in office
H. Kenneth Johnston2000; appointed to fill Glapion's unexpired term
Marlin Gusman2000-2002; elected to fill Glapion's unexpired termEllen Hazeur-Distance1998-2000; resigned when elected Clerk of First City Court
Lula Harris Breaux2000; appointed to fill Hazeur-Distance's unexpired term
Cynthia Willard-Lewis2000-2002; elected to fill Hazeur-Distance's unexpired term2002-2006Oliver ThomasJohn A. Batt, Jr.Renée Gill PrattJacquelyn B. ClarksonMarlin Gusman2002-2004; resigned when elected Criminal Sheriff, 2004
David Payton2004-2005; appointed to fill Gusman's unexpired term
Cynthia Hedge-Morrell2005-2006; elected to fill Gusman's unexpired termCynthia Willard-Lewis2006-2010Arnie FielkowOliver Thomas2006-2007; resigned August 13, 2007
Michael Darnell2007; appointed to fill Thomas' unexpired term
Jacquelyn B. Clarkson2007-2010; elected to fill Thomas' unexpired termShelley MiduraStacey HeadJames CarterCynthia Hedge-Morrell2010-2014Arnie Fielkow2010-2011; resigned to head National Basketball Retired Players Association
Eric Granderson2011-2012; appointed to fill Fielkow's unexpired term