Mitch Landrieu scored a decisive victory on Saturday to become the new mayor of New Orleans. Landrieu replaces term-limited Ray Nagin, who defeated Landrieu four years ago in the wake of the Katrina fiasco. Landrieu beat 10 opponents to become the first white mayor of this predominantly black city since his father, Moon Landrieu, left the post in 1979.

At the time, the mayoral election in 2002 was marked by a strong racial component. Many of the black residents of New Orleans feared that their influence on the city's future would be marginalized since so many were displaced in the Katrina aftermath. Landrieu sees his victory as a turn of that page.

Landrieu said his commanding victory - he had more than 66 percent of the total - was a sign voters decided to "strike a blow for unity."Political observers attributed Landrieu's strength in part to "buyer's remorse" - voters unhappy with the city's lack of progress under Nagin deciding to give Landrieu a chance. "This time, I'm voting for Mitch Landrieu," a black woman says at the end of the often-seen Landrieu television commercial.

Landrieu supporters said they trusted his politically prominent family and had confidence in him. "I certainly don't want another Ray Nagin - a businessman," said Charlotte Ford, a 76-year-old semi-retiree and registered Republican. "They balk instead of finding out what works, how the system works." Source: Move over Ray Nagin, New Orleans has a new mayor

Landrieu's Saturday victory was eclipsed by the New Orleans Saints Superbowl appearance.

Victory came in an election that had competed for attention with the New Orleans Saints' first-ever appearance in the Super Bowl and the first big weekend of Carnival season parades. (Landrieu's) victory party was a nod to both: the ballroom of a the Roosevelt hotel - recently reopened after a post-Katrina restoration - was festooned with Saints-themed black and gold balloons. A roving brass band played Mardi Gras tunes, and he prefaced his victory speech by leading the crowd in the Saints' "Who Dat" cheer. Source: Move over Ray Nagin, New Orleans has a new mayor

With a new mayor and a thrilling Superbowl win, just maybe New Orleans is in for a hard-earned spell of good luck.