“Having barely launched his maiden run for elected office, Eric Strachan was already being anointed a survivor. New Orleans City Council member Jackie Clarkson had the microphone on a small stage at the far end of a converted warehouse. Next to her stood Strachan, whom she hired for her council staff in 2007 after he worked for her winning campaign for an at-large seat. Strachan later served as chief of staff for Councilwoman Stacy Head, whom he now wants to succeed in Council District B.

“He’s worked for two of the toughest councilwomen you’ll ever meet. He survived Jackie Clarkson and Stacy Head,” Clarkson told the crowd Thursday night. “Instead of giving him a candidacy, we should be giving him a Purple Heart.”

Courting a crowd that comfortably filled Second Line Stages on Richard Street, Strachan, 31, talked about his life — grew up on Coliseum Street, educated at Ben Franklin High School and Louisiana State University — and his platform: reducing crime, fighting blight and growing the local tech market. He also announced plans to move his campaign office to Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, touting the Central City thoroughfare as the district’s next hub of economic expansion.

District B is a patchwork quilt of diverse incomes, races and property values that spreads from Central City and Mid-City to the Mississippi River, encompassing the Central Business District, Warehouse District, Garden District and Irish Channel. The seat, held now by interim Councilwoman Diana Bajoie, opened up when Head was elected to an at-large seat in April.

To win it, Strachan will have to beat Broadmoor community leader LaToya Cantrell, 40, and juvenile justice reform advocate Dana Kaplan, 33. And possibly state Rep. Helena Moreno, who has begun polling but has yet to declare her candidacy.

The three-day qualifying period begins Aug. 15.

“I know this is going to be a difficult race, and nothing that’s difficult — let me start that over,” Strachan said. “Nothing that’s good is ever easy.“

Original article here: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/08/jackie_clarkson_declares_her_f.html

The post Nola.com: Clarkson Declares Strachan Battle Tested appeared first on Eric Strachan for New Orleans.

The post Uptown Messenger Two appeared first on Eric Strachan for New Orleans.

The post Hello Eric appeared first on Eric Strachan for New Orleans.