NEW ORLEANS — Leaders are defined by how they handle, respond, and react to unexpected challenges during their tenure.
Xavier University Professor and Political Pollster Dr. Silas Lee says in recent weeks, he’s noticed a change in New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell’s leadership.
“Due to the legal challenges surrounding her, now you see less visibility and communication from the mayor in reference to voters in a time of high anxiety,” Lee said.
Last month, Cantrell’s former bodyguard Officer Jeffrey Vappie was indicted on seven counts of wire fraud and one count of false statements.
The indictment does not name Cantrell or charge her with any crime, but it refers to her as Public Official 1.
It alleges she was in a romantic relationship with Vappie for years and participated in his alleged scheme to cover it up.
There is also a federal grand jury investigation of the mayor herself.
WWL Louisiana Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says when things aren’t going well, a lot of mayors go into a bunker mentality.
“Going into the bunker as this mayor has done and Ray Nagin, when he was close to being indicted did the same thing,” Dubos said. “It’s not only bad for the mayor. It’s bad for the citizens and bad for the city.”
During this week’s citywide boil water advisory, the mayor did not make any statements or even comment on the public health emergency.
Dubos says voters want to see their mayor.
“They feel the mayor’s not visible, that means the mayor’s not doing much. It can snowball. I think it is having a kind of snowball effect.”
Lee says whatever is going on with Mayor Cantrell, it’s a departure from the take-charge reputation she displayed during the COVID crisis.
“Visibility equals confidence, especially in times of uncertainty and anxiety,” Lee said. “When your head is in the lion's mouth don’t wiggle and in this particular case you have to manage the crisis.”
Despite her former bodyguard’s indictment, and rumors of a federal investigation, Mayor Cantrell does not face any changes.
Cantrell also was hit with a federal civil rights lawsuit by the woman she tried to obtain a protective order against.
In her suit, Anne Breaud claims the mayor spread false and defamatory information about her.
Cantrell was denied the protective order which she requested after Breaud snapped photos of the mayor and Vappie on the balcony of a French Quarter restaurant.
This city released a statement that said in part, “The narrative being presented, that the City is required to do interviews with media outlets or follow a specific format for press conferences is simply incorrect.”
But while the city is not required to do press conferences, WWL will continue to ask the mayor to answer questions directly about important issues of public interest.
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