Veteran and Treme small business owner Alonzo Knox will face off against Sibil “Fox” Richardson, a formerly incarcerated woman who rose up to become a minister and social entrepreneur, in the runoff for House District 93. The winner will succeed Royce Duplessis who won a seat in the state senate late last year. Richardson received 37 percent of the vote and Knox received 30 percent. Other candidates in the race included Steven Kennedy, Morgan Clevenger, Matt Hill and Naj Wallace.
Endorsed by the Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee, Kennedy was the early favorite until women who advocate against domestic violence began speaking out against his history as an abuser. Though Kennedy claimed it was all in his past, voters turned away.
Richardson was almost predestined to make the runoff because of her broad-based support from elected officials including Duplessis, Congressman Troy Carter, State Rep Delisha Boyd, School Board VP Carlos Zervigon and Councilmembers J.P. Morrell, Helena Moreno and Lesli Harris. Knox is well-known in the Treme area because of his ownership of the Backatown Coffee Parlour and his long-time work in the broader community. Knox is supported by the V.O.T.E. organization and its leader Norris Henderson. V.O.T.E. is able to raise funds from out-of-town sources and can put a small army on the phone and in the streets. This is probably the first election that pits prison reform advocates against the congressman and his team.
Richardson is often considered an outsider who has spent her life challenging governmental policies and using the law and her voice to advocate for her family and others. Richardson served on the governor’s board for juvenile justice and delinquency prevention. Knox points to his background inside government as a former congressional staffer, member of the Historic District Landmarks Commission and advocate for veterans with mental health and addiction issues.
House District 93 includes portions of the 7th Ward, Lower Garden District, Central City, Treme, Faubourg Marigny, French Quarter as well as the Warehouse and Central Business Districts. Approximately 2000 registered voters cast their ballots in the race. Turnout could be stronger during the March 25 run-off election when several city-wide judicial races are also on the ballot.
