Helena Moreno facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Helena Moreno
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Moreno in 2017
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| Mayor–elect of New Orleans | |
| Assuming office January 12, 2026 |
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| Succeeding | LaToya Cantrell |
| President of the New Orleans City Council | |
| In office June 2019 – January 5, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Jason Williams |
| Succeeded by | Jean-Paul Morrell |
| Member of the New Orleans City Council from the at-large district Position 1 |
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| Assumed office June 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Stacy Head |
| Succeeded by | Matthew Willard (elect) |
| Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 93rd district |
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| In office May 2010 – April 9, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Karen Carter Peterson |
| Succeeded by | Royce Duplessis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Helena Nancy Moreno
September 30, 1977 Veracruz, Mexico |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Chris Meeks |
| Education | Southern Methodist University (BA) |
Helena Nancy Moreno (born September 30, 1977) is an American politician and former journalist. She was born in Mexico and is now the mayor-elect of New Orleans. She has been a member of the New Orleans City Council since 2017. Before that, Moreno was a member of the Democratic Party. She served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018. She also served as the president of the New Orleans City Council from 2019 to 2023. In October 2025, Helena Moreno was elected as the Mayor of New Orleans.
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Helena Moreno: A Leader for New Orleans
Helena Moreno has dedicated her career to serving the public, first as a journalist and then as an elected official. Her journey has taken her from reporting the news to making important decisions for the city of New Orleans.
Early Life and Education
Growing Up and Learning
Helena Moreno was born in Veracruz, Mexico, on September 30, 1977. Her father, Felix Moreno, worked in the oil industry. Her mother, Nancy Pearson Moreno, was an academic. Her family later moved to Houston, Texas. Helena graduated from Episcopal High School in 1995.
In 1999, she earned a degree in mass communication from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. While studying there, she wrote for the Daily Campus newspaper. She also spent time as an exchange student at American University in Washington, D.C. During this time, she had an internship at the White House. An internship is like a temporary job where you learn by working. She worked with First Lady Hillary Clinton.
Career in Public Service
From Journalism to Politics
Before starting her political career, Helena Moreno worked as a journalist. She completed internships at TV stations KTRK-TV and KHOU-TV in Houston while she was in college. After graduating, she became a reporter for WTOC-TV in Savannah, Georgia.
In 2001, she moved to New Orleans to work at WDSU-TV. There, she became an anchor for the morning news. An anchor is the main person who presents the news on TV. Helena Moreno was recognized for her reporting on Hurricane Katrina in 2005. She received a Broadcaster of the Year award for her work. She also won a local Emmy Award for her coverage of the hurricane.
In 2008, Moreno decided to leave journalism to work in public service.
Serving in the State Legislature
Helena Moreno first ran for a political office in March 2008. She aimed to represent Louisiana's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. Congress. She received enough votes to enter a second round of voting, called a runoff election, but she did not win.
In 2010, Moreno ran for a seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 93. This seat became open when the previous representative, Karen Carter Peterson, moved to the State Senate. Moreno won this special election in May 2010. A special election is held to fill a vacancy. She was re-elected without opposition in 2011.
On the New Orleans City Council
On October 14, 2017, Helena Moreno was elected to the New Orleans City Council. She won the Division 1 at-large seat. This means she represents the entire city, not just one small area. She won by a large margin, avoiding another runoff election.
Moreno served as the president of the City Council from 2019 to 2023. After that, she became the vice president.
Becoming Mayor of New Orleans
On October 8, 2024, Helena Moreno announced her intention to run for Mayor of New Orleans. She was elected Mayor of New Orleans in October 2025. She won with 55% of the votes, which meant there was no need for a runoff election. She is set to begin her term as Mayor on January 12, 2026.
Personal Life and Interests
Helena Moreno is also a realtor in New Orleans. A realtor helps people buy and sell homes. She lives in Uptown, New Orleans with her husband, Chris Meeks. Helena is fluent in both English and Spanish. She spent six months studying in Madrid, Spain, when she was in college.
