[5] After the 2005 levee failures in Greater New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, the Broadmoor neighborhood flooded severely and remained mostly deserted for months afterward.

[13] In 2012, Cantrell declared her candidacy for the New Orleans City Council seat vacated when former District B representative Stacy Head won an election to an at-large position.

[17] Also in 2015, Cantrell began work to open a low-barrier homeless shelter, a move that was objected to by residents because of its proposed placement in Central City, New Orleans.

[20] As a member of the Criminal Justice Committee, Cantrell participated in efforts to install crime cameras in her district, assess the effectiveness of citywide anti-gun-violence campaigns, and address understaffing at the New Orleans Police Department.

[25] In the November 18 runoff election, Cantrell defeated fellow Democratic opponent Desiree Charbonnet, a former municipal judge, with 60% of the vote.

[32] During the 2019 session of the Louisiana Legislature, Cantrell negotiated the Fair Share Agreement with Governor John Bel Edwards and city, state, and tourism officials.

Voters approved a $500 million bond sale and a tax on short-term rental properties, as well the establishment of a Human Right Commission under the New Orleans Home Rule Charter.

[34] In December 2023, Cantrell signed into law new rules that would restrict students from converting single-family homes and duplexes into multi-student housing in neighborhoods in proximity to the Tulane and Loyola university campuses.

"New Orleans mayoral candidate LaToya Cantrell and her staff used her office's taxpayer-financed credit cards to cover almost $4,350 in purchases she repaid from her campaign funds – sometimes years later, a review of her spending records show.

Cantrell also charged to her City Council credit card $4,602 in meals and other expenses that she repaid with her own money after she entered the mayor's race.

"[38] Cantrell has argued that her actions were not inappropriate given the council's regulations or policies on the use of campaign funds, personal money, and credit cards.

[41] In August 2023, New Orleans city leaders voted to transfer the use of a city-owned luxury apartment used by Mayor LaToya Cantrell back on the market for rent to the public.

[44] In September 2024, a 25-count grand jury indictment alleged that Cantrell had taken bribes from Randy Farrell, a private contractor, in exchange for firing Jen Cecil, a top city permitting official.