The New Orleans City Council leadership for the next four years is set, with Councilmember JP Morrell winning reelection and state Rep. Matthew Willard claiming an outright victory in the Saturday primary election, according to WWL.

Morrell bested two challengers, Rev. Gregory Manning and perennial candidate Kenneth Cutno. Willard defeated fellow state Rep. Delisha Boyd and restaurant industry manager Matthew Hill.

At-large members can set the tone of the council’s relationship with the mayor, and it has been combative under the leadership of Moreno and Morrell. They have steered investigations of alleged misconduct in the Cantrell administration and established the council’s right to sue – and be sued – by the executive branch. Pitched council-mayor court battles have been a hallmark of

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