Arnie out, Eddie in

WDSU says Arnie Fielkow is undecided about seeking reelection as Councilman at-large. I hear he is decided. He is not going to seek reelection. I have also heard that the "family issues" cited cryptically by WDSU involve his wife's career and not something weird.

Meanwhile, 71-year-old former Councilman and Municipal Court Judge, Eddie Sapir is going to be qualifying for an at-large run first thing tomorrow.

Update: To be clear, Sapir is in whether Arnie Fielkow qualifies or not.

Update II: Times-Pic says Fielkow is back in! Wow dude, make a decision.

Update III: That story seems thin. I bet he's still undecided. We'll have a better idea tomorrow.

Between Sapir and Jackie Clarkson, the other candidates might have to agree to keep all debates between 5 and 7PM, after dinner and in time for bed.

Another thing the senior circuit will agree on: it's drafty in here.

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Might James Perry also seize the opportunity and shift his meager resources from the Mayoral election into an at-large bid? It's hard to find evidence that he's gaining enough traction in the analog world to earn a fighting underdog's share of the vote in the Mayor's race, let alone seriously threaten for a spot in the runoff. He missed his opportunity to knock on doors and organize and he'll never raise enough money to play the traditional TV/radio game in any real way. It's not as hard to envision Perry making an honorable go of it for one of the two at-large openings.

If he is warm to the idea, he should get moving.

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Though the Jacobs campaign denies it, it's hard to avoid hearing rumors that she is still considering dropping out of the Mayor's race now that Mitch Landrieu is running.

She could jump into the at-large fray herself.


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Elsewhere:

Austin Badon has qualified for District E and Stacy Head has qualified for District B.

Marlin Gusman has no challenger for Criminal Sheriff.

Cynthia Hedge-Morrell may also run unopposed.

Coroner Frank Minyard has broken his promise not to seek reelection. I hope someone challenges him. Do other cities have elected coroners?

Tomorrow, Virginia Blanque is still expected to join the fray for District A and Corey Watson for District B. I think District A could get even more crowded. Same for District C.

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Just one more day of qualifying. We'll know for sure who is running for what by the end of the day tomorrow.

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Late update:

If Arnie qualifies, runs, and wins. He's signed up for four years.

If he's qualifying because he's really still undecided and ultimately decides to drop out because he wants to make more money and he or his wife want to take a job out of state, that's fine.

But if he runs and wins and then resigns, it will cost all of us as taxpayers and set up one of those undemocratic low-turnout special elections.

That would be lame.

He should really think it over.