State Rep. Jason Hughes will be the New Orleans City Council's next District E representative, after voters on Saturday rejected former Councilmember Cyndi Nguyen's attempted return to the council and settled a race that initially drew a slew of contenders.

Results for Saturday's general election showed Hughes won 63% of the vote, while Nguyen drew 37% of the vote in a hotly contested race for the seat that represents New Orleans East and parts of the Lower 9th Ward. The runoff followed an eight-candidate primary last month that handed Nguyen 46% of the vote and Hughes 36%.

Hughes will succeed Councilmember Oliver Thomas, who unsuccessfully ran for mayor.

With five years in the state Legislature under his belt, Hughes, 42, has built a campaign around his achievements at the Capitol and

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