Kenner Mayor Michael Glaser Wins Second Term by 21‑Vote Margin

**Mayor Michael Glaser won a second term in Kenner by just 21 votes, avoiding a runoff and securing just over half the vote.

Kenner’s mayoral race concluded Saturday with Glaser edging out Democrat Diane Schnell and independent Walt Bennetti. Preliminary tallies show Glaser received just over 50% of the vote, while Schnell captured about 33% and Bennetti around 16%. The narrow margin prevented a runoff that would have been triggered if no candidate exceeded 50%. In the same election, six of seven city council seats were decided, with Republicans Joe Stagni and George Branigan taking the two at‑large positions. District races saw Dee Dunn, Tom Willmott, Kristi McKinney and Danny Riehm win their respective seats, while Police Chief Keith Conley and Council Member Joey Lahatte retained their posts unopposed.

Glaser’s victory margin was only 21 votes, the smallest in his political career and a sharp drop from his 2022 win when he garnered 75% of the vote against then‑Mayor Ben Zahn. State Representative Joe Stagni entered the race with more than $222,000 on hand, the largest campaign war chest reported in Kenner this cycle. During forums, Glaser responded to critics by saying, “government isn’t glamorous,” emphasizing that much of his administration’s work focuses on routine infrastructure such as roads, sewers and drainage.

The razor‑thin win gives Glaser a mandate to continue projects launched in his first term, including the relocation of the New Orleans Pelicans’ G League affiliate to the Pontchartrain Center and upgrades to the Rivertown dock for American Cruise Lines. However, the close result signals voter dissatisfaction, especially regarding ongoing disputes with garbage hauler IV Waste and opposition from the firefighters’ union over a 2023‑approved pay plan. Glaser will need to address these issues while managing a council where Republicans hold both at‑large seats and Democrats hold three of the four district seats, creating a divided legislature.

Looking ahead, observers will watch how Glaser navigates the upcoming budget hearings and whether the council can reach consensus on the waste contract and union negotiations.