Arnie Fielkow received his Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin School of Law in 1981. He spent most of his career in sports administration. He served as Executive Vice President of the New Orleans Saints for six years, during which he presided over all administrative/business departments, including marketing, sales, regional development, governmental affairs, community relations, business media relations and youth programs. He was fired by Saints owner Tom Benson when he refused to resign and sign a confidentiality agreement presumably because of Fielkow's outspoken concern for the residents of the Gulf Coast. Fielkow had been vocal in opposing the concept of having the Saints play in San Antonio. He won the gratitude of many in the Greater New Orleans area for his role in keeping the Saints in New Orleans, helping him in his political career.
Political career
Following his firing, Fielkow was elected as one of New Orleans's two at-large council positions on May 20, 2006. Since then he has chaired a number of committees including both the city's Economic Development Committee and the Council's Youth and Recreation Committee. He has also co-founded the program with Tulane University president Scott Cowen. He has been a vocal supporter of public education, including the growing number of charter schools. In May 2009, as the New Orleans e-mail controversies reached a feverish pitch, Fielkow decided to publish up to 70 thousand of his e-mail messages online: Fielkow is a staunch antagonist of New Orleans' use of crime cameras. On 2009 June 4 he said: Fielkow considered running to succeed Ray Nagin as Mayor of New Orleans in the 2010 mayoral election, but he chose to seek reelection instead. Fielkow was easily reelected to his position on the city council, with Mitch Landrieu ultimately winning the mayoral race. On 22 August 2011, Fielkow announced his resignation from the Council effective 1 October. He planned to take a more lucrative job as CEO of the National Basketball Association Retired Players Association.
Election history
Councilmember at-large, 2006 Threshold > 25% First ballot, April 22, 2006
Candidate
Affiliation
Support
Outcome
Oliver Thomas
Democratic
66,374
Elected
Jackie Clarkson
Democratic
36,839
Runoff
Arnie Fielkow
Democratic
31,092
Runoff
Others
n.a.
35,060
Defeated
Second Ballot, May 20, 2006
Candidate
Affiliation
Support
Outcome
Arnie Fielkow
Democratic
61,420
Elected
Jackie Clarkson
Democratic
47,324
Defeated
Councilmember at-large, 2010 Threshold > 25% First Ballot, February 6, 2010
