Susan Hutson To Be Sworn In as First Female Sheriff of Orleans Parish

By ShaCamree Gowdy Published: December 14, 2021

Susan Hutson To Be Sworn In as First Female Sheriff of Orleans Parish

In Summary

Susan Hutson has made history as the first female sheriff of Orleans Parish and the first Black woman to hold the role in Louisiana.

Susan Hutson has made history by becoming the first female sheriff elected in Orleans Parish. She is also the first Black woman to hold the position in Louisiana, per CNN.

Hutson beat four-term incumbent Sheriff Marlin Gusman, who had served as sheriff since 2004. She received 53% of the votes.

In a statement posted to Facebook following the results, Hutson affirmed that history has been made, adding “Let’s get to work.”

“I am so proud and humbled to call myself your next Sheriff,” she said. “A huge thank you to all of our campaign staff, our community organizers, the religious community, nonprofits, neighbors and friends.”

According to her campaign website, Hutson served as the independent police monitor for the New Orleans Police Department for 11 years. In terms of criminal justice reform, her campaign focused on three principles: care, custody and control.