Changes

The "reformer" Scott became a Republican in the latter half of 1985. So did a colleague from [[Monroe,  Louisiana|Monroe]], John C. Ensminger. Scott would have run for governor in 1987 had he, rather than U.S. Representative Robert L. "Bob" Livingston of Louisiana's 1st congressional district received the official endorsementthat year of the state GOP. [11]

The "reformer" Scott became a Republican in the latter half of 1985. So did a colleague from [[Monroe,  Louisiana|Monroe]], John C. Ensminger. Scott would have run for governor in 1987 had he, rather than U.S. Representative Robert L. "Bob" Livingston of Louisiana's 1st congressional district received the official endorsementthat year of the state GOP. [11]

In 1987, Scott instead ran for the District 29 state senate seat previously held by his colleague, Ned Randolph, who had since become mayor of Alexandria. It was Edward Joseph Steimel, the founding president of the Baton Rouge-based trade association, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, or LABI, who urged Scott to make the senatorial race. Like Randolph four years earlier, however, Scott was defeated by the Democrat [[Joe McPherson|William Joseph "Joe" McPherson,Jr.]], who had the backing of [[AFL-CIO]] President Victor V. Bussie. McPherson polled 16,950 (51 percent) in the primary and hence retained the seat outright. Scott trailed with 12,346 votes (37 percent). Former state senator Cecil Ray Blair sought a comeback but netted only 4,245 votes (13 percent).[12]

In 1987, Scott instead ran for the District 29 state senate seat previously held by his colleague, Ned Randolph, who had since become mayor of Alexandria. It was Edward Joseph Steimel, the founding president of the Baton Rouge-based trade association, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, or LABI, who urged Scott to make the senatorial race. Like Randolph four years earlier, however, Scott was defeated by the Democrat [[Joe McPherson|William Joseph "Joe" McPherson,Jr.]], who had the backing of [[AFL-CIO]] President [[Victor Bussie]]. McPherson polled 16,950 (51 percent) in the primary and hence retained the seat outright. Scott trailed with 12,346 votes (37 percent). Former state senator Cecil Ray Blair sought a comeback but netted only 4,245 votes (13 percent).[12]

Years later, Scott attributed his defeat to both McPherson's tough electioneering and the unpopularity of Judge Scott's desegregation orders in rural portions of Rapides Parish. Scott's state House seat also reverted to Democratic hands: Charles R. Herring, an Alexandria chiropractor, held the seat for a single term. In  Scott's own words in 2006: "I had decided to sit out the 1987 elections after my struggles with Edwards during those difficult legislative years... I needed a break. Then [Edward] Steimel talked me into the state senate race against McPherson. Very harsh race and very difficult for me in the country precincts with the unpopularity of desegregation/busing orders by my father... plus Joe is a very tough candidate. ... I had become a Republican. So that was the end for me."

Years later, Scott attributed his defeat to both McPherson's tough electioneering and the unpopularity of Judge Scott's desegregation orders in rural portions of Rapides Parish. Scott's state House seat also reverted to Democratic hands: Charles R. Herring, an Alexandria chiropractor, held the seat for a single term. In  Scott's own words in 2006: "I had decided to sit out the 1987 elections after my struggles with Edwards during those difficult legislative years... I needed a break. Then [Edward] Steimel talked me into the state senate race against McPherson. Very harsh race and very difficult for me in the country precincts with the unpopularity of desegregation/busing orders by my father... plus Joe is a very tough candidate. ... I had become a Republican. So that was the end for me."