New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is getting some high-powered backing of his re-election campaign. It comes from the White House.
President Obama has stepped in to offer his support to Mayor Landrieu.
University of New Orleans political science professor Ed Chervenak says it’s a significant step in a mayoral race.
“You know, it’s unusual, but the mayor said he was going to use every resource and press every advantage,” Chervenak said.
Landrieu says it’s vital to the city’s recovery to have a good relationship with the federal government.
One of Landrieu’s opponents — former Civil District Judge Michael Bagneris — said the endorsement was more about the re-election of Senator Mary Landrieu.
NAACP local chapter president Danatus King and comedian Manny Bruno are also running.
The primary is February 1.