The Nation - News from Feb. 2, 1986

Two black politicians led in early returns to succeed New Orleans’ first black mayor, Ernest Morial, who narrowly trailed in his race for a council seat. In the mayoral race, with 268 of 456 precincts reporting, or 59%, unofficial returns showed state Sen. William Jefferson with 33,146 or 39% and City Council member Sidney Barthelemy with 28,918 votes or 34%. Four others divided the remainder. In Morial’s race, with 81 of 92 precincts reporting, or 89%, unofficial returns showed incumbent council member Lambert Boissiere with 13,646 or 47.3% and Morial with 12,459 or 43.2%.