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→Background
Despot earned his living in the oil and natural gas business as the owner of Despot Explorations, Inc.
Despot earned his living in the oil and natural gas business as the owner of Despot Explorations, Inc.
As state GOP chairman==
==As state GOP chairman==
In 1960, Despot sponsored Republican advertisements for the [[Richard M. Nixon|Nixon]]/[[Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.|Lodge]] presidential ticket, which lost in Louisiana to the [[John F. Kennedy|Kennedy]]-[[Lyndon B. Johnson|Johnson]] slate of [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] electors].<ref>''Minden Press,'' October 17, 1960.</ref> In 1964, Despot rallied behind the [[Governor|gubernatorial]] candidacy of Shreveporter [[Charlton Lyons]], who waged the first serious Republican campaign in modern Louisiana history but fell far short of victory. Despot and a friend, Shreveport [[Certified Public Accountant|CPA]] [[George A. Burton]], were named by Lyons as the campaign co-chairmen, largely because it was Despot and Burton who convinced Lyons to run for governor. The winner was Democrat i [[John J. McKeithen]]. While Lyons was running for governor, Despot was an unsuccessful candidate for the Caddo Parish Police Jury, now known as the Caddo Parish Commission.
In 1960, Despot sponsored Republican advertisements for the presidential ticket of [[Richard M. Nixon]]and Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. Nixon and Lodge lost in Louisiana to the [[John F. Kennedy|Kennedy]]-[[Lyndon B. Johnson|Johnson]] slate of [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] electors].<ref>''Minden Press,'' October 17, 1960.</ref> In 1964, Despot rallied behind the [[Governor|gubernatorial]] candidacy of Shreveporter [[Charlton Lyons]], who waged the first serious Republican campaign in modern Louisiana history but fell far short of victory. Despot and a friend, Shreveport [[Certified Public Accountant|CPA]] [[George A. Burton]], were named by Lyons as the campaign co-chairmen, largely because it was Despot and Burton who convinced Lyons to run for governor. The winner was Democrat [[John J. McKeithen]]. While Lyons was running for governor, Despot was an unsuccessful candidate for the Caddo Parish Police Jury, now known as the Caddo Parish Commission.
On November 8, 1966, Despot lost a second race — for the Caddo Parish School Board. So did his friend George Burton.<ref>''[[Shreveport Journal],'' November 9, 1966.</ref><ref>Three Republicans were then serving on the board: [[Billy Guin]], Edward Leo McGuire, Jr. (1914-1983), and Joel B. Brown.</ref> Despot never again sought office himself but instead labored for other Republican candidates. Burton went on to become in 1971 the first Shreveport Republican since [[Reconstruction]] to be elected to municipal office as the citywide Shreveport finance commissioner.
On November 8, 1966, Despot lost a second race — for the Caddo Parish School Board. So did his friend George Burton.<ref>''[[Shreveport Journal],'' November 9, 1966.</ref><ref>Three Republicans were then serving on the board: [[Billy Guin]], Edward Leo McGuire, Jr. (1914-1983), and Joel B. Brown.</ref> Despot never again sought office himself but instead labored for other Republican candidates. Burton went on to become in 1971 the first Shreveport Republican since [[Reconstruction]] to be elected to municipal office as the citywide Shreveport finance commissioner.
The party endorsement is worth a great deal. Some voters will not have a chance to meet either candidate. Without party endorsement, they might not vote for either Republican. I will enforce party discipline with an iron hand across this state. If the chair refuses to call a caucus, I will remove the Political Action Council chairwoman.<ref>''Shreveport Journal,'' January 8, 1980.</blockquote>
The party endorsement is worth a great deal. Some voters will not have a chance to meet either candidate. Without party endorsement, they might not vote for either Republican. I will enforce party discipline with an iron hand across this state. If the chair refuses to call a caucus, I will remove the Political Action Council chairwoman.<ref>''Shreveport Journal,'' January 8, 1980.</blockquote>
Despot noted that his party could not then realistically contest all offices on the ballot: "There are just some [legislative] districts in the state where there is little opportunity for a Republican to get elected."<ref>''Shreveport Journal,'' January 8, 1980.</ref> This pick-and-choose approach was not conducive to rapid growth for the GOP but instead contributed to the partisan complexion of the legislature remaining largely unchanged even when Republican [David C. Treen]] was elected governor in 1979.
Despot noted that his party could not then realistically contest all offices on the ballot: "There are just some [legislative] districts in the state where there is little opportunity for a Republican to get elected." This pick-and-choose approach was not conducive to rapid growth for the GOP but instead contributed to the partisan complexion of the legislature remaining largely unchanged even when Republican [[David C. Treen]] was elected governor in 1979.
==Removal as chairman==
==Removal as chairman==