Mayor of New Orleans Wins 2nd Term

Mayor Sidney Barthelemy won a second term in a primary election Saturday over a white challenger after a campaign marked on both sides by accusations of race-baiting.

With 425 of 465 precincts--91.3%--reporting, Barthelemy had 71,716 votes, or 55%, to 57,066, or 44%, for his fellow Democrat Donald Mintz. Two other candidates drew votes of 1% or less.

Barthelemy avoided a runoff by winning more than half of the vote.

“We are in difficult times. We have laid the foundations for the future. But we cannot build a great city divided,” said Barthelemy, 47. “We all must work together.”

The black mayor, who spent 16 years in politics without losing an election, faced a strong challenge from Mintz, who was making his first run for office. The vote was expected to split along racial lines.

Barthelemy’s easygoing, conciliatory style contrasted with the hard-hitting intensity of Mintz, who resigned as head of the city’s dock board to enter the race.