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==As state GOP chairman==

==As state GOP chairman==

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.

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.

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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.​

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In 1976, Despot was first elected by his fellow Caddo Parish party members from District 33, to the Republican State Central Committee. Two years later he was named state chairman by committee members. Chairman Despot demanded that party organizations call caucuses to endorse one specific candidate in races in which more than one Republican filed for office under the then new Louisiana nonpartisan blanket primary. This was necessary to prevent GOP candidates from diluting their strength. Otherwise, none might poll enough primary votes even to make the ballot in the [[general election]].

In 1976, Despot was first elected by his fellow Caddo Parish party members from District 33, to the Republican State Central Committee. Two years later he was named state chairman by committee members. Chairman Despot demanded that party organizations call caucuses to endorse one specific candidate in races in which more than one Republican filed for office under the then new Louisiana nonpartisan blanket primary. This was necessary to prevent GOP candidates from diluting their strength. Otherwise, none might poll enough primary votes even to make the ballot in the [[general election]].