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→Toppling Paul Brown, 1990
Robertson entered the race for a full term as mayor in 1990. Robertson and Minden businessman Billy Sherman Cost (born 1948) challenged Brown, who was seeking his first full term in the position. Cost and Thomas L. Hathorn (born 1951), another Minden businessman, had led the citizens' panel advocating the recall of Byars. Brown nearly won in the first round: 2,630 ballots (48 percent) to Robertson's 1,729 (32 percent), and Cost's 1,064 votes (20 percent). Robertson and Brown therefore advanced to the general election.<ref>"Bloxom elected police chief, Runoffs in mayor, council, school races", ''Minden Press-Herald'', October 7, 1990, p. 1.</ref>
Robertson entered the race for a full term as mayor in 1990. Robertson and Minden businessman Billy Sherman Cost (born 1948) challenged Brown, who was seeking his first full term in the position. Cost and Thomas L. Hathorn (born 1951), another Minden businessman, had led the citizens' panel advocating the recall of Byars. Brown nearly won in the first round: 2,630 ballots (48 percent) to Robertson's 1,729 (32 percent), and Cost's 1,064 votes (20 percent). Robertson and Brown therefore advanced to the general election.<ref>"Bloxom elected police chief, Runoffs in mayor, council, school races", ''Minden Press-Herald'', October 7, 1990, p. 1.</ref>
Before the primary, Brown was seriously injured on September 28, 1990, in an accident on the Minden High School [[football]] field while he was moving the yardage chains. Having no memory of the accident, Brown remained hospitalized throughout the campaign. Minden physician John Hill declared Brown's condition as "conscious and hopeful ... an answer to prayer".<ref>"Brown conscious, doctors hopeful", ''Minden Press-Herald'', October 5, 1990, p. 1.</ref> As concern persisted that the still disabled Brown could not discharge his duties in a full term, voters handily elected Robertson, 2,529 votes (59 percent) to 1,758 (41 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, ElectionReturns: Webster Parish, November 6, 1990.</ref> Brown hence polled 872 fewer votes in the second round of balloting than he had in the first. The 1990 general election launched Robertson into a long career as his city's chief municipal official.
Before the primary, Brown was seriously injured on September 28, 1990, in an accident on the Minden High School [[football]] field while he was moving the yardage chains. Having no memory of the accident, Brown remained hospitalized throughout the campaign. Minden physician John Hill declared Brown's condition as "conscious and hopeful ... an answer to prayer".<ref>"Brown conscious, doctors hopeful", ''Minden Press-Herald'', October 5, 1990, p. 1.</ref> As concern persisted that the still disabled Brown could not discharge his duties in a full term, voters handily elected Robertson, 2,529 votes (59 percent) to 1,758 (41 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, ElectionReturns: Webster Parish, November 6, 1990.</ref> Brown hence polled 872 fewer votes in the second round of balloting than he had in the first. The 1990 general election launched Robertson into a long career as his city's chief municipal official.
Robertson's first two months in office were plagued by personal health issues. On January 9, 1991, a week after he presided over his first city council meeting, Robertson underwent successful triple bypass surgery in Shreveport.<ref>"Robertson reportedly doing great: Minden Mayor undergoes successful triple by-pass surgery", ''Minden Press-Herald'', January 10, 1991, p. 1.</ref> Problems developed, and he underwent a second operation on January 20 to reattach surgical wires in his lower sternum. Tubes were inserted to drain the buildup of post-operative fluids.<ref>"Robertson in ICU", ''Minden Press-Herald'', January 24, 1991, p. 1.</ref> He was released from the hospital on January 28<ref>"Robertson Home", ''Minden Press-Herald'', January 28, 1991, p. 1</ref> and returned to his mayoral duties on February 13.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', February 14, 1991, p. 1.</ref>
Robertson's first two months in office were plagued by personal health issues. On January 9, 1991, a week after he presided over his first city council meeting, Robertson underwent successful triple bypass surgery in Shreveport.<ref>"Robertson reportedly doing great: Minden Mayor undergoes successful triple by-pass surgery", ''Minden Press-Herald'', January 10, 1991, p. 1.</ref> Problems developed, and he underwent a second operation on January 20 to reattach surgical wires in his lower sternum. Tubes were inserted to drain the buildup of post-operative fluids.<ref>"Robertson in ICU", ''Minden Press-Herald'', January 24, 1991, p. 1.</ref> He was released from the hospital on January 28<ref>"Robertson Home", ''Minden Press-Herald'', January 28, 1991, p. 1</ref> and returned to his mayoral duties on February 13.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', February 14, 1991, p. 1.</ref>