Obama endorses New Orleans mayor’s reelection bid

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu (D) is touting President Obama’s endorsement of his reelection bid.

Obama endorsed Landrieu on Monday over a number of other Democrats in the race, according to a statement from Landrieu’s campaign. 

{mosads}”New Orleans has always been a city of bold, resilient forward-looking people who believe in a brighter future and are committed to doing their part to shape it,” Obama said in a statement.

“Over the last four years, no one has embodied those values better than Mayor Mitch Landrieu. Mitch has been a fierce advocate for the people of New Orleans, helping create jobs, reduce crime, improve our children’s schools and rebuild hard-hit communities,” the statement said. “Today, with the city poised for even more progress, there is no question that Mitch has earned a second term as mayor – and I hope the people of New Orleans will give him one.”

Landrieu called Obama a “true friend” to the city.

“There is much more to do together, and I look forward to working with the president as we make New Orleans the city we always wanted it to be,” Landrieu said in a statement accompanying the endorsement. 

Elected in 2010, Landrieu is the brother of Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), who is running for reelection in her own tough race this year. He is the first white mayor to lead the Democratic stronghold since his father held the office in the late 1970s. 

According to local reports, Mitch Landrieu is facing off against two Democrats: civil district court judge Michael Bagneris and Danatus King, president of a local chapter of the NAACP. Another long-shot candidate who has run four consecutive times, Manny Bruno, has also entered the race.

Because of Louisiana election law, candidates of all parties run in an open primary. A runoff is scheduled between the top two finishers if no one received 50 percent of the vote.