Friends don't let friends run for mayor

Or maybe they do?  State Senator Karen Carter Peterson, who we thought had ruled this out, tells Gambit she is seriously considering running for mayor.

Peterson said she has been “encouraged by many, many friends” to enter the race based on the current announced field. That field includes former Judge Michael Bagneris, District B Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell, former Municipal Court Judge Desiree Charbonnet and businessman Frank Scurlock.

Peterson says her due diligence includes polling, strategy, talking to potential campaign team members, assessing her own and her potential opponents’ skill sets — and meeting with at least one other announced candidate: Cantrell, whom Peterson described as “a dear friend.”

“Because we truly are dear friends, I had to meet with LaToya and let her know that I was seriously considering the race,” Peterson said, emphasizing that she has not yet made a final decision to run.

"Many friends.." are encouraging KCP to run. Other friends are the current presumed front runner. The only poll published to date has LaToya ahead with 21 percent. Here closest contender, in fact, is hypothetical candidate Sidney Torres which probably explains why someone like Peterson might see an opportunity.