Changes

==Election of 2006==

==Election of 2006==

In the spring of 2006, Chandler succeeded [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Thomas D. "Tommy" Wright of Jena, who had earlier resigned the position. As a Democrat, Chandler defeated Republican Tony Kevin Owens (born June 22, 1960), who had then relocated from Winnfield to Jena. Chandler received 5,034 votes (54 percent) to Owens' 4,234 votes (46 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/04292006/04292006_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana legislative election returns, April 29, 2006|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=August26, 2011}}</ref>  

In the spring of 2006, Chandler succeeded [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Thomas D. "Tommy" Wright of Jena, who had earlier resigned the position. As a Democrat, Chandler defeated Republican Tony Kevin Owens (born June 22, 1960), who had then relocated from Winnfield to Jena. Chandler received 5,034 votes (54 percent) to Owens' 4,234 votes (46 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/04292006/04292006_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana legislative election returns, April 29, 2006|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=August 26, 2011}}</ref>  

Five Democrats and four Republicans had competed in the first round of balloting on April 1, 2006. The Democrats polled a combined 57 percent of the vote to the [[Republican Party|GOP]]'s 43 percent. The top candidates were Owens, with 1,858 (18 percent) and Chandler, with 1,574 (16 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/04012006/04012006_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana legislative election returns, April 1, 2006|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=August 26, 2011}}</ref> In the runoff, Owens doubled his votes, but Chandler tripled his share of the tabulation.<ref>''Alexandria Daily Town Talk'', April 30, 2006</ref>

Five Democrats and four Republicans had competed in the first round of balloting on April 1, 2006. The Democrats polled a combined 57 percent of the vote to the [[Republican Party|GOP]]'s 43 percent. The top candidates were Owens, with 1,858 (18 percent) and Chandler, with 1,574 (16 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/04012006/04012006_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana legislative election returns, April 1, 2006|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=August 26, 2011}}</ref> In the runoff, Owens doubled his votes, but Chandler tripled his share of the tabulation.<ref name="ReferenceA">''Alexandria Daily Town Talk'', April 30, 2006</ref>

Owens had also lost to Wright in the 2003 general election. He was weakened in the 2006 race because of controversy surrounding a divorce. The seat had become  vacant when Wright resigned as part of a [[plea bargain]] involving a [[misdemeanor]] [[obscenity]] charge at Lake Buhlow in Pineville.<ref>''Alexandria Daily Town Talk'', December 30, 2005</ref>

Owens had also lost to Wright in the 2003 general election. He was weakened in the 2006 race because of controversy surrounding a divorce. The seat had become  vacant when Wright resigned as part of a [[plea bargain]] involving a [[misdemeanor]] [[obscenity]] charge at Lake Buhlow in Pineville.<ref>''Alexandria Daily Town Talk'', December 30, 2005</ref>

Chandler's initial victory was made possible by his strong showing as the favorite son in Grant Parish. Chandler told the ''The Alexandria Daily Town Talk'', the largest newspaper of central Louisiana, in a victory statement on election night that he would "represent all parties, wherever they may be, all communities in the district, for one common good, to advance meeting the needs in this district. The constituents have plainly made [it clear] that they haven't been pleased in the past with [Wright's representation]."<ref>''Alexandria Daily Town Talk'', April 30, 2006</ref>

Chandler's initial victory was made possible by his strong showing as the favorite son in Grant Parish. Chandler told the ''The Alexandria Daily Town Talk'', the largest newspaper of central Louisiana, in a victory statement on election night that he would "represent all parties, wherever they may be, all communities in the district, for one common good, to advance meeting the needs in this district. The constituents have plainly made [it clear] that they haven't been pleased in the past with [Wright's representation]."<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Then Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Chris Whittington hailed Chandler's victory. "As a Democrat, Billy Chandler displays the moral values that we all share: helping the less fortunate, providing for our families and caring for our seniors. He will fight hard in Baton Rouge to provide better schools for our children, create good-paying jobs for our working men and women, and secure retirement benefits for our seniors," Whittington said.  

Then Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Chris Whittington hailed Chandler's victory. "As a Democrat, Billy Chandler displays the moral values that we all share: helping the less fortunate, providing for our families and caring for our seniors. He will fight hard in Baton Rouge to provide better schools for our children, create good-paying jobs for our working men and women, and secure retirement benefits for our seniors," Whittington said.  

[[Category:Politicians]]

[[Category:Politicians]]

[[Category:Baptists]]

[[Category:Baptists]]