O'Keefe, a native New Orleanian, served as the city's mayor from 1926-1930. Before entering politics he operated a coffee and tea importing business and served as director of several other local firms. He was a member of the Choctaw Club, the city's Democratic machine, and in 1925 was elected Commissioner of Finance in Martin Behrman's last administration. When Behrman died early in 1926, the Commission Council elected O'Keefe acting mayor. He later won the special election to fill Behrman's unexpired term.
His term witnessed construction of the Watson-Williams bridge (also known as the Highway 11 bridge and as the Maestri Bridge) over Lake Pontchartrain and the beginning of the Municipal Auditorium construction project. O'Keefe opposed efforts, supported by Huey P. Long, to build free bridges at the Rigolets and Chef Menteur Pass and to pipe cheap natural gas into the Crescent City. On July 15, 1929, O'Keefe took a leave of absence from his office (T. Semmes Walmsley became acting mayor) and formally resigned the position on February 14, 1930.
From the description of Papers, 1926-1929. (New Orleans Public Library). WorldCat record id: 29486974
