While most Saturday’s in the Big Easy are spent re-hydrating from ‘huge ass beers’ and counting beads from the previous nights outing, this weekend was different.

On Saturday New Orleanians who are spread out all over America voted for their choice for the next mayor of New Orleans, a job that has taken on national significance as the city continues to rebuild from the ‘huge ass storms’ that pummeled the Gulf Coast last summer.

With 100% of the precincts reporting, it appears that there will be a run off election between the two top vote getters, Mayor Ray Nagin (D) and Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu (D).

Ray Nagin, who won 38% of the 108,000 ballots cast in Saturday’s mayoral election, nevertheless is not considered the favorite in his May 20 runoff with Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, who garnered 29% of the vote.

Analysts think Landrieu is more likely to land supporters of runners-up Ron Forman, who won 17% of the ballot, and Rob Couhig, who received 10%.

“Landrieu becomes the odds-on favorite to win, partly because of his ability to appeal to some African American voters and to the generally white supporters of his opponents — if they vote,” said Brian Brox, a political scientist at Tulane University.

Thirty-six percent of the city’s 298,000 registered voters cast ballots in Saturday’s election, which fielded about two dozen candidates. In many neighborhoods, voting took place against a backdrop of abandoned cars, gutted homes and garbage-strewn streets.

This election is about rebuilding, but it is also about race relations and poverty issues that were sent to the forefront after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the city and displaced thousands of NOLA residents.

For political junkies, this race is going to be a fun one. I know I’ll be glued to my TV! If I need a break from the election coverage, I can always change the channel.

Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu (D), the son of former New Orleans Mayor Moon Landrieu and brother of Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), has entered the field to challenge current Mayor Ray Nagin.

Landrieu said five principles will guide his rebuilding vision:

* Diversity is a strength, not a weakness.
* Louisiana’s economy must be expanded and diversified.
* New Orleans must work regionally to compete globally.
* Value must be added to raw materials, native talent and intellectual capital.
* Trying to achieve Southern average standards is not good enough.

Politicalwire is reporting that Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu (D) will challenge Mayor Ray Nagin in the primary in New Orleans. Ray Nagin has come under fire for his recent remarks about rebuilding a “chocolate New Orleans.”

I do love chocolate, but that comment hardly seemed appropriate…