Susan Hutson scored a key endorsement from a progressive elected official Friday in the runoff race on Dec. 11 against incumbent New Orleans Sheriff Marlin Gusman.

“After watching this campaign very closely and spending time with Susan, I am confident that she will work to execute strategies that improve in neighborhoods, improve technology, data sharing and transparency,” Williams said.

For the first time since 2014, long-time Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman will have to face a challenger in a runoff election in December in order to hold onto his job.

“How dare we to dream that we can do something about this system that is punitive, discriminatory, and inequitable,” Hutson said in a speech to ecstatic supporters at her election party at Soule’ Cafe on Banks Street when a runoff was called by WWL-TV. “But we are gonna do just that.”

“My position is I’m against Phase III, and I want to oppose it,” Hutson told The Lens. Her opponent, Gusman, has long argued in favor of the 89-bed addition, which is expected to cost more than $50 million, most of which will be paid with post-Katrina federal dollars.

A longtime elected official will face a political newcomer this fall.

Incumbent Marlon Gusman and Susan Hutson are vying for the Orleans Parish Sheriff seat.

Hutson announced her candidacy Monday afternoon.

After more than a decade as the New Orleans Police Department’s independent monitor, Susan Hutson wants to make the switch from watchdog to top dog. Hutson said Wednesday she will run for Orleans Parish sheriff, setting up a clash with 17-year incumbent Marlin Gusman.