Mayoral candidate Helena Moreno speaks during a debate hosted by the Urban League of Louisiana in September at Xavier University's campus in New Orleans. Peter G. Forest/Sipa USA via AP New Orleans AP —

New Orleans City Council member Helena Moreno was elected mayor Saturday in the race to succeed LaToya Cantrell, who is ending a turbulent second term shadowed by federal corruption charges .

Moreno, 48, secured an outright victory with 55% of the vote with all precincts reporting, according to preliminary results from the Louisiana secretary of state.

The Democrat avoided a runoff in a wide field by beating out Oliver Thomas, a fellow council member, and state Sen. Royce Duplessis. She will take office in January.

Cantrell, who could not run again because of term limits, was

See Full Page