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Couhig said that New Orleans residents should accent "self-reliance" in the post-Katrina rebuilding, rather than a sense of "entitlement".  Couhig criticized Nagin for supposedly "sugar-coating" the city's woes. He claimed that Nagin was "reaping short-term political gains at the expense of the city's long-term best interests." Couhig said that his opponents were promoting a "fantasy" that the city can continue operating on a budget meant for nearly half a million people when fewer than half that many persons remained in New Orleans in the spring of 2006. Couhig said that the city could not sustain basic services in sparsely populated areas. He also chided Nagin for his use of the term "Chocolate City." He urged Nagin, who had supported the 2003 Republican gubernatorial candidate [[Bobby Jindal]] along with other Republican candidates, to "stop pandering for political gain." ​

Couhig said that New Orleans residents should accent "self-reliance" in the post-Katrina rebuilding, rather than a sense of "entitlement".  Couhig criticized Nagin for supposedly "sugar-coating" the city's woes. He claimed that Nagin was "reaping short-term political gains at the expense of the city's long-term best interests." Couhig said that his opponents were promoting a "fantasy" that the city can continue operating on a budget meant for nearly half a million people when fewer than half that many persons remained in New Orleans in the spring of 2006. Couhig said that the city could not sustain basic services in sparsely populated areas. He also chided Nagin for his use of the term "Chocolate City." He urged Nagin, who had supported the 2003 Republican gubernatorial candidate [[Bobby Jindal]] along with other Republican candidates, to "stop pandering for political gain." ​

Couhig finished a distant fourth in the April 22 primary with 10,312 votes (10 percent). He led in seven precincts. A second Republican, former city councilwoman Peggy Wilson received another 773 votes (1 percent). Eighty-nine percent of New Orleans voters supported a Democratic candidate in the primary.​

Couhig finished a distant fourth in the April 22 primary with 10,312 votes (10 percent). He led in seven precincts. A second Republican, former city councilwoman Peggy Wilson received another 773 votes (1 percent). Eighty-nine percent of New Orleans voters supported a Democratic candidate in the primary.​<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, April 22, 2006.</ref>

The general election was scheduled between the top two candidates, the incumbent Nagin and Democratic Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu. Despite his earlier criticism of Nagin, Couhig enthusiastically endorsed Nagin, made television ads urging his reelection, and helped to mobilize the city's Republicans and conservatives behind the incumbent mayor. Couhig's support may have been the "swing vote" that was critical to Nagin's reelection. Couhig said that the Landrieu "political dynasty" had failed the city. (This was a reference to Mitch Landrieu's sister [[Mary Landrieu]] and his father, former Mayor [[Maurice Edwin Landrieu|Maurice Edwin "Moon" Landrieu]].) Couhig noted that the New Orleans population peaked in 1960, even before the rise of the Landrieu family to political dominance.​

The general election was scheduled between the top two candidates, the incumbent Nagin and Democratic Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu. Despite his earlier criticism of Nagin, Couhig enthusiastically endorsed Nagin, made television ads urging his reelection, and helped to mobilize the city's Republicans and conservatives behind the incumbent mayor. Couhig's support may have been the "swing vote" that was critical to Nagin's reelection. Couhig said that the Landrieu "political dynasty" had failed the city. (This was a reference to Mitch Landrieu's sister [[Mary Landrieu]] and his father, former Mayor [[Maurice Edwin Landrieu|Maurice Edwin "Moon" Landrieu]].) Couhig noted that the New Orleans population peaked in 1960, even before the rise of the Landrieu family to political dominance.​