Date of Award
12-2007
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Degree Program
History
Department
History
Major Professor
Hirsch, Arnold R.
Second Advisor
Cassimere, Raphael
Third Advisor
Powers, Madelon M.
Abstract
This study examines the impact of racial politics on the New Orleans mayoral election of 1982. Ernest "Dutch" Morial, the city's first black mayor, sought re-election against a popular white candidate, Ron Faucheux, and a well-liked black candidate, William Jefferson. Race played an integral role throughout the campaign as Morial continually battled attacks from both the conservative white community and the traditional black politicians, all of whom resented the oftentimes brash mayor and his push for change. Controversy also surrounded his handling of the police strike of 1979 and the Fischer Housing Project shootings of 1980. This study argues that despite these obstacles, Ernest "Dutch" Morial was able to win a second term in 1982 by appealing to a broad racial coalition of voters who approved of his vigorous efforts to apply the ideals of the Civil Rights Movement to municipal reform in New Orleans.
Recommended Citation
Braud, Daniel, "Fulfilling the Drive: Dutch Morial and the 1982 New Orleans Mayoral Election" (2007). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 839.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/839
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.