Jean-Paul Morrell

Jean-Paul "JP" Morrell (born 1978) is an American politician and public defender who has served as an at-large member of the New Orleans City Council since January 2022 and as president since 2023.

Education Morrell graduated with a B.S. from Spring Hill College, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and later earned his JD from Tulane University Law School.

Career Morrell was a member of the Louisiana State Senate for District 3 from 2008 to 2020, and briefly served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2006 to 2008 representing District 97 to fill the unexpired term of his father, Arthur Morrell. He was re-elected to the House in 2007 and served until 2008, before running for the State Senate. He was elected to the Senate in a special election held on December 6, 2008. He served until 2020.

Morrell faced fellow Democrats Kristin Palmer and Jared Brossett in the November 13, 2021 election for the at-large Division 2 seat on the City Council, and was elected with an outright majority of 50.7% against Palmer's 31.7% and Brossett's 11.1%. He was sworn in on January 10, 2022. He succeeded Donna Glapion and became city council president in 2023.

Personal life His mother is Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, who served on the New Orleans City Council from 2005 to 2014. He is Catholic.