With state and local elections two months away, the Irish Channel got an early start on political season Thursday night with a well-attended social event for candidates at a popular neighborhood bar.
At least eight candidates made appearances at Tracey’s on Magazine Street, all of whom other than state Rep. Walt Leger were running for various judicial seats: Regina Bartholomew, Herbert Cade, Nakisha Ervin-Knott, Ellen Hazeur, Clare Jupiter, Kris Kiefer and Franz Zibilich. The social had a decidedly low-key atmosphere, without formal speeches or introductions. Instead, the candidates and their supporters casually passed from group to group of the 30 or so association members and dozens more patrons in the bar.
Nakisha Ervin-Knott
Regina Bartholomew
Most of the candidates said their campaigning had already included introductory visits to the meetings of various neighborhood and civic groups, but the Irish Channel event was among the first in the city held for the express purpose of introducing candidates — drawing praise for the group from Bartholomew for their “civic-minded” spirit. With the election still in its early stages, most the questions were general, the candidates said, focused on the responsibilities of the office, the office-seekers’ legal experience and so forth.
“It gives them a good opportunity to meet the candidates and educate themselves about each candidate and his or her qualifications,” Bartholomew said.
Hazeur, in her current role as clerk of First City Court, had been a speaker at a recent Irish Channel meeting, so she saw some familiar faces.
“It’s kind of getting back to the grass roots, where you get to know your neighbor and community, that sense of camaraderie,” Hazeur said. She was unsurprised that so many candidates showed up at the gathering. “When you’re running for office, it’s all about touching people, trying to get your message across, trying to get people to know who you are.”
Ellen Hazeur
Clare Jupiter
Sitting at a table in the center of the bar, Irish Channel resident Melanie Miranda amassed a collection of candidates’ push cards, as one-by-one they sat down for a direct conversation with her. Miranda said she was particularly interested in their thoughts on women’s rights and gay rights, and appreciated the chance to ask them herself.
“I want them to think,” Miranda said. “I want them to answer me on that, because people don’t normally ask those questions.”
The strong turnout by judicial candidates in particular was generally attributed to the intensity of those races, compared to the the relatively quiet statehouse races Uptown. Irish Channel resident Kristine Rizzuto was impressed by how many candidates showed up, and how open they were to conversation.
“They were basically just introducing themselves, not really giving their stances, but that’s what was cool about it,” Rizzuto said. “It was more natural setting than if they were all up there spilling their spiel.”
Walt Leger
Kris Kiefer
Association president Kara Morgan said she hopes to incorporate Thursday’s social atmosphere into future meetings.
“I make the neighborhood meetings,” said Leger, who lives in the Irish Channel, “but the ones at Tracey’s are the best attended.”
Contact Robert Morris at rmorris@NolaMessenger.com, or post your comment below.
