New Orleans mayor faces recall election petition

A petition was filed calling for a recall election for New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell in the wake of a series of controversies.

The Friday petition, led by former city employee and ex-mayoral candidate Belden Batiste and Eileen Carter, cited a “failure to put New Orleans first and execute the responsibilities of the position.” Critics argued she has failed on matters of police staffing, tax collection, and French Quarter security, in addition to her rhetoric in support of a teenage boy who was convicted of carjacking five people.