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, 2010==​

==Race for lieutenant governor, 2010==​

Kershaw called Villere's candidacy "a direct conflict of interest on several levels. His job is to raise money and get Republican candidates elected. While running his own campaign, there's no way he can effectively do his job. I think Mr. Villere should have resigned [when he announced for lieutenant governor]. He's a nice guy, as far as I know, but if he can't win the race without being chairman, he shouldn't run."<ref name=dardenne/>​

Kershaw called Villere's candidacy "a direct conflict of interest on several levels. His job is to raise money and get Republican candidates elected. While running his own campaign, there's no way he can effectively do his job. I think Mr. Villere should have resigned [when he announced for lieutenant governor]. He's a nice guy, as far as I know, but if he can't win the race without being chairman, he shouldn't run."<ref name=dardenne/>​

Villere was endorsed by the Lafayette [[Tea Party]], Tea Party of Louisiana, the Republican parties of Jefferson and Rapides parishes, and the Jefferson [[Chamber of Commerce]].<ref name=dardenne/>​

Villere was endorsed by the Lafayette [[Tea Party]], the Tea Party of Louisiana, the Republican parties of Jefferson and Rapides parishes, and the Jefferson [[Chamber of Commerce]].<ref name=dardenne/>​

​

​

Villere's endorsement of Dardenne, after months of having criticized the frontrunner, was met with incredulous statements like those of [[political scientist]] Pearson Cross of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette:​

Villere's endorsement of Dardenne, after months of having criticized the frontrunner, was met with incredulous statements like those of [[political scientist]] Pearson Cross of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette:​

:"Maybe he thinks that you can at the end of the day say, 'Well, we just need to all come together.'" It just seems odd.<ref>{{cite web​

:"Maybe he thinks that you can at the end of the day say, 'Well, we just need to all come together.'" It just seems odd.<ref>{{cite web​

|url=http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20101011/APN/1010110515?Title=Analysis-GOP-leader-creates-division-as-candidate  ​

|url=http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20101011/APN/1010110515?Title=Analysis-GOP-leader-creates-division-as-candidate  ​

|title=Analysis: GOP leader creates division as candidate ​

|title=Analysis: GOP leader creates division as candidate ​

|publisher=''The Thibodaux Daily Comet'' ​​

|publisher=''The Thibodaux Daily Comet'' ​​

|accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref>​

|accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref>​

​

​

Within days after the primary, Villere faced calls for his resignation from within the state central committee.<ref>{{cite web​

Within days after the [[special election]] for lieutenant governor, Villere faced calls for his resignation from within the state central committee.<ref>{{cite web​

|url=http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/capital/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1287915625125740.xml&coll=1 ​

|url=http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/capital/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1287915625125740.xml&coll=1 ​

|title=Calls emerge for Villere to resign: Some say he unfairly criticized Dardenne​

|title=Calls emerge for Villere to resign: Some say he unfairly criticized Dardenne​