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New Orleans has gained its first woman mayor after voters chose LaToya Cantrell in an historic state election.
Ms Cantrell, a former city council member who worked hard to help her neighbourhood after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2010, will replace fellow Democrat mayor Mitch Landrieu.
In her victory speech, Ms Cantrell mentioned the city’s 300th anniversary and how New Orleans was "still making history".
She won 60 per cent of the vote versus her opponent, former municipal Judge Desiree Charbonnet.
“We’re focused on the future of New Orleans,” Ms Cantrell told a cheering crowd at the city’s Jazz Market. “Where everyone matters. This has been the people’s campaign from day one.”
Despite her success in tourism and economic development, Ms Cantrell still faces significant issues such as crime and problems within the agency overseeing the drinking water system and storm drainage.
Thousands attend Women's March on WashingtonShow all 18 1 /18 Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters gather outside the White House at the finish of the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds attended the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president.
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Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters hold up signage near the Washington Monument during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president.
Drew Angerer/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters gather during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. The march is expected to draw thousands from across the country to protest newly inaugurated President Donald Trump.
Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters arrive at the Capital South Metro station for the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, the Women's March has spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights.
Jessica Kourkounis/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters arrive on the platform at the Capital South Metro station for the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, the Women's March has spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights.
Jessica Kourkounis/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Demonstrators protest during the Women's March along Pennsylvania Avenue January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump.
Joshua Lott/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: Protesters attend the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, the Women's March has spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights.
Jessica Kourkounis/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington A marcher holds a sign during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. The march is expected to draw thousands from across the country to protest newly inaugurated President Donald Trump.
Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington A woman chants while attending the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president.
Mario Tama/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters attend the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president.
Mario Tama/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters march in Washington, DC, during the Women's March on January 21, 2017. Hundreds of thousands of people flooded US cities Saturday in a day of women's rights protests to mark President Donald Trump's first full day in office.
Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington A protester gestures toward the White House on the Ellipse near the South Lawn of the White House during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president.
Drew Angerer/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington A protester, holding a Donald Trump doll wearing a pink cap, marches in Washington, DC, during the Womens March on January 21, 2017. Hundreds of thousands of people flooded US cities Saturday in a day of women's rights protests to mark President Donald Trump's first full day in office.
Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters take to the National Mall to demonstrate against the presidency of Donald Trump Washington, DC on January 21, 2017. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump.
Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters march during the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president.
Mario Tama/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Demonstrators gather on The Ellipse during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump.
Zach Gibson/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Demonstrators march down Pennsylvania Avenue during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump.
Zach Gibson/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protester's signs are left near the White House during the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Mario Tama/Getty
During the campaign she faced allegations that she had misused a city-issued credit card for thousands of dollars worth of purchases that were not clearly for public purposes.
The money has been reimbursed.
Ms Cantrell’s victory comes amid a sweep of Democratic and progressive candidates being elected to office across the country as part of what many describe as a backlash against Donald Trump.
Recent victories include that of Danica Roem in Virginia, the first transgender woman to sit in the state’s General Assembly. She beat Republican Bob Marshall, who introduced the bathroom bill.
Also in Virginia, Chris Hurst, the former boyfriend of a woman who was shot dead at work and who proposed strong gun controls, beat Joseph Yost, who was a member of the National Rifle Association.
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