Clerk, Criminal District Court 1 to be elected
Kimberly Williamson Butler, Democrat, Ballot # 78
Clarence Hunt, Democrat, Ballot # 80
Johnny Jackson, Jr., Democrat, Ballot # 81
Robert Lee Murray, Democrat, Ballot # 82
Barbara Nelson, Democrat, Ballot # 83
Vincent Savarese, Sr., Democrat, Ballot # 84
Scott Shea, Democrat, Ballot # 85
Catherine J. Smith, Democrat, Ballot # 86
Ryan "Bishop" Warner, Democrat, Ballot # 87
Walter Willard, Democrat, Ballot # 88

Runoff between Jackson and Butler, elected Butler. Why? This election is very odd in recent New Orleans history because it was decided so evenly across the entire city. Every one of the 17 wards gave Butler between 50 and 60% of their votes. This is contrary to the patterns seen when the big political machine organizations endorse a candidate and get out the vote in favor of that candidate. Butler received 71,717 votes or 57% of those cast. But thats also the same percentage of votes (within a couple of percentage points)  she got in the predominately white 4th and 5th wards and in the black seventh eighth and ninth wards.

Nagin's popularity was at a low and sympathy for Butler may have been high after her firing by hizzoner as CAO.  In any case it gave her some name recognition. She was young, attractive, black and articulate. Her campaign featured the catch phrase "Do the Right Thing" and  it never hurts to be listed first on a ballot. The governor's election left this race at the end of a long ballot tucked in right before a complicated list of amendments.

Analysis after the election suggested women and Democrats were on the upswing  (Blanco became govenor in this election). Johnny Jackson's Ninth Ward SOUL political organization had lost most of its clout. White candidates didn't have a chance. Walter Willard of the school board was pretty undistinguished in that role. Shea had angered city politicos in endorsing three candidates for mayor in 2002.

She contributed $5,000 to William Jefferson's campaign in 2003 and waltzed in virtually unopposed.