Changes

In 1962, while drawing unemployment compensation, LaCombe ran unsuccessfully for mayor when Morrison stepped down and was succeeded by Victor Schiro, the last [[conservative]] mayor of New Orleans. In 1969, LaCombe managed the mayoral campaign of Rodney Fertel (1921-2003), a [[Jewish]] [[real estate]] owner who had inherited his fortune from a maternal grandmother. The eccentric Fertel, a devotee of animals and zoos, ran as “the gorilla man," announced his candidacy in a gorilla suit,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143815231/rodney-fertel|title=Rodney Fertel|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=May 1, 2020}}</ref>and used the comical slogan, “Don’t settle for a monkey. Elect Fertel and get a gorilla.” Fertel polled only 310 votes but later donated two gorillas that he acquired in [[Singapore]] to the Audubon Zoo.<ref name=lahist/> Victory went to [[Maurice Edwin Landrieu|Maurice Edwin "Moon" Landrieu]], who went on to defeat later Lieutenant Governor [[Jimmy Fitzmorris]] and then in the 1970 [[general election]] the [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Ben C. Toledano]], the last member of his party to wage a serious bid for mayor since [[Reconstruction]]. Fertel was the former husband of Ruth Ann Udstad Fertel (1927-2002), who established the high-end [[restaurant]] chain, Ruth's Chris Steak House.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6361471/ruth-fertel|title=Ruth Udstad Fertel|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=May 1, 2020}}</ref>

In 1962, while drawing unemployment compensation, LaCombe ran unsuccessfully for mayor when Morrison stepped down and was succeeded by Victor Schiro, the last [[conservative]] mayor of New Orleans. In 1969, LaCombe managed the mayoral campaign of Rodney Fertel (1921-2003), a [[Jewish]] [[real estate]] owner who had inherited his fortune from a maternal grandmother. The eccentric Fertel, a devotee of animals and zoos, ran as “the gorilla man," announced his candidacy in a gorilla suit,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143815231/rodney-fertel|title=Rodney Fertel|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=May 1, 2020}}</ref>and used the comical slogan, “Don’t settle for a monkey. Elect Fertel and get a gorilla.” Fertel polled only 310 votes but later donated two gorillas that he acquired in [[Singapore]] to the Audubon Zoo.<ref name=lahist/> Victory went to [[Maurice Edwin Landrieu|Maurice Edwin "Moon" Landrieu]], who went on to defeat later Lieutenant Governor [[Jimmy Fitzmorris]] and then in the 1970 [[general election]] the [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Ben C. Toledano]], the last member of his party to wage a serious bid for mayor since [[Reconstruction]]. Fertel was the former husband of Ruth Ann Udstad Fertel (1927-2002), who established the high-end [[restaurant]] chain, Ruth's Chris Steak House.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6361471/ruth-fertel|title=Ruth Udstad Fertel|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=May 1, 2020}}</ref>

LaCombe promoted several special events during the 1960s, including a benefit concert at the Municipal Auditorium in 1965 to raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Betsy. The concert starred Eddie Fisher, Mel Torme, Bobby Vinton, and Loretta Young. In the 1960s, LaCombe was named public information spokesman for the New Orleans Fair Grounds race track , a position that he held into the late 1980s, He claimed that he was “so busy and so happy” that he never thought about retirement. LaCombe taught a course on handicapping at [[Tulane University]] and was known for his many lost bets and incorrect predictions. He hence acquired the nickname, "Black Cat." <ref name=lahist/>

LaCombe promoted several special events during the 1960s, including a benefit concert at the Municipal Auditorium in 1965 to raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Betsy. The concert starred Eddie Fisher (1926-2010), Mel Tormé (1925-1999), Bobby Vinton (born 1935), and Loretta Young (1913-2000). In the 1960s, LaCombe was named public information spokesman for the New Orleans Fair Grounds race track , a position that he held into the late 1980s, He claimed that he was “so busy and so happy” that he never thought about retirement. LaCombe taught a course on handicapping at [[Tulane University]] and was known for his many lost bets and incorrect predictions. He hence acquired the nickname, "Black Cat." <ref name=lahist/>

==Death==

==Death==