2 Face Runoff for Mayor of New Orleans

Two men who had never run for office, a cable executive and the police chief, led 13 opponents in Saturday’s primary for mayor and claimed the March 2 runoff.

With 401 of 442 precincts, or 91%, reporting, Cox Cable executive Ray Nagin had 32,722 votes, or 28%. Richard Pennington, on leave as superintendent of police, had 27,663 votes, or 24%.

State Sen. Paulette Irons had 21,739 votes, or 19%. Only one other candidate, City Councilman Jim Singleton, had more than 10% of the vote. He had 15,456 votes, or 13%.

“This is about New Orleans growing,” Nagin told his supporters. “It’s about one of the greatest cities in America finally waking up and saying, ‘We’re sick and tired, and sick and tired of the same old politics.’ ”

Pennington, in a speech claiming the second spot, said security would continue to be part of his campaign. “The Super Bowl is here; this is a safe city,” he said.

A referendum passed on raising the city’s minimum wage to $6.15 an hour, $1 above the national minimum, but legal challenges are certain.

With 91% of the precincts reporting, the vote was 64,314 yes to 36,851 no, a 64%-to-36% split.