Changes

Stephen Sabludowsky considers Villere a particularly effective state chairman, noting that the GOP has become a "potent force in shaping the state. While Villere could not win an election in District 81 in 1989, he has since become one of the most influential individuals in Louisiana, helping to set policies and pass legislation.

Stephen Sabludowsky considers Villere a particularly effective state chairman, noting that the GOP has become a "potent force in shaping the state. While Villere could not win an election in District 81 in 1989, he has since become one of the most influential individuals in Louisiana, helping to set policies and pass legislation.

... When Roger Villere and the Louisiana Republican Party speak, the Louisiana Republican legislators and conservatives listen and vote almost in lockstep. ... Rarely do the Louisiana Republican legislators veer from the words and warnings of Roger Villere. ... Governor Bobby Jindal rarely speaks out publicly giving a stern warning or rebuke. In a sense, Jindal is often playing the 'good cop' and Villere the 'bad cop'. ... the formula appears to be working quite well.”<ref name=sabludowsky/>​

... When Roger Villere and the Louisiana Republican Party speak, the Louisiana Republican legislators and conservatives listen and vote almost in lockstep. ... Rarely do the Louisiana Republican legislators veer from the words and warnings of Roger Villere. ... Governor Bobby Jindal rarely speaks out publicly giving a stern warning or rebuke. In a sense, Jindal is often playing the 'good cop' and Villere the 'bad cop'. ... the formula appears to be working quite well.”<ref name=sabludowsky/>

==Race for lieutenant governor==​

 

==Race for lieutenant governor, 2010==​

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In March 2010, Villere announced that he would seek the position of lieutenant governor, which was vacated on May 3 by [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] [[Mitch Landrieu]], who in 2010 became the [[mayor]] of [[New Orleans]], a post that he held for two terms. Several other Republicans also entered the October 2 [[special election]] for the fifteen months remaining in Landrieu's term: Country music Sammy Kershaw, who lost to Landrieu in 2007; Louisiana Secretary of State John Leigh "Jay" Dardenne of [[Baton Rouge]], and Kevin Davis, the parish president of St. Tammany Parish in the New Orleans [[suburb]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/03/roger_villere_gop_chairman_ann.html|author=Bill Barrow|title=Roger Villere, GOP chairman, announces for lieutenant governor|publisher=''The New Orleans Times-Picayune''|date=March 30, 2010|accessdate=April 24, 2010}}</ref> Meanwhile, state Representative [[Cameron Henry]], also of Metairie, tried earlier in the year to abolish the office of lieutenant governor,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/02/plan_to_abolish_lieutenant_gov.html|author=Ed Anderson|title=Plan to abolish lieutenant governor's position may run into legislative opposition|date=February 12, 2010|publisher=''The New Orleans Times-Picayune''|accessdate=July 13, 2010}}</ref>​ the principal function of which is to promote tourism and recreation.

In March 2010, Villere announced that he would seek the position of lieutenant governor, which was vacated on May 3 by [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] [[Mitch Landrieu]], who in 2010 became the [[mayor]] of [[New Orleans]], a post that he held for two terms. Several other Republicans also entered the October 2 [[special election]] for the fifteen months remaining in Landrieu's term: Country music Sammy Kershaw, who lost to Landrieu in 2007; Louisiana Secretary of State John Leigh "Jay" Dardenne of [[Baton Rouge]], and Kevin Davis, the parish president of St. Tammany Parish in the New Orleans [[suburb]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/03/roger_villere_gop_chairman_ann.html|author=Bill Barrow|title=Roger Villere, GOP chairman, announces for lieutenant governor|publisher=''The New Orleans Times-Picayune''|date=March 30, 2010|accessdate=April 24, 2010}}</ref> Meanwhile, state Representative [[Cameron Henry]], also of Metairie, tried earlier in the year to abolish the office of lieutenant governor,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/02/plan_to_abolish_lieutenant_gov.html|author=Ed Anderson|title=Plan to abolish lieutenant governor's position may run into legislative opposition|date=February 12, 2010|publisher=''The New Orleans Times-Picayune''|accessdate=July 13, 2010}}</ref>​ the principal function of which is to promote tourism and recreation.