Changes

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. 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 a majority of the committee members chose him as the 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]].

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. 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 a majority of the committee members chose him as the 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]]. In the 2019 gubernatorial race, two Republican candidates, [[U.S. Representative]] [[Ralph Abraham]] and businessman [[Eddie Rispone]] sought to unseat Democratic Governor [[John Bel Edwards]]. The state committee first said that it would endorse one of Edwards' challengers, but the party apparatus never took a stand.​

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 the 2019 gubernatorial race, two Republican candidates, [[U.S. Representative]] [[Ralph Abraham]] and Baton Rouge businessman [[Eddie Rispone]], sought to unseat Democratic Governor [[John Bel Edwards]]. The state committee first said that it would endorse one of the two, but the party apparatus never made a recommendation.

When questioned about endorsements in a 1980 party caucus in [[Bossier City]] for a city council position, Despot thundered:​

When questioned about endorsements in a 1980 party caucus in [[Bossier City]] for a city council position, Despot thundered:​