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Gillis Long had been an unsuccessful gubernatorial contender against John McKeithen in the primary held in December 1963. He was a freshman House member who had not fully consolidated his hold on the district. Therefore, he was most vulnerable to his cousin's challenge. Speedy Long made it clear to voters that he was far different from his cousin Gillis, whom he dubbed a "Washington lawyer." Speedy Long, "just a Jena lawyer," vowed to vote far more conservatively on policy issues than Gillis Long had done in his one term in Congress.

Gillis Long had been an unsuccessful gubernatorial contender against John McKeithen in the primary held in December 1963. He was a freshman House member who had not fully consolidated his hold on the district. Therefore, he was most vulnerable to his cousin's challenge. Speedy Long made it clear to voters that he was far different from his cousin Gillis, whom he dubbed a "Washington lawyer." Speedy Long, "just a Jena lawyer," vowed to vote far more conservatively on policy issues than Gillis Long had done in his one term in Congress.

Speedy Long said that he would model many of his votes in accord with north Louisiana Congressmen [[Joe Waggonner]], of Plain Dealing in Bossier Parish and Otto Ernest Passman of Monroe in Ouachita Parish. He pointed out that Gillis Long often voted with the liberal members of the delegation from south Louisiana, specifically, Hale Boggs of New Orleans, [[James H. Morrison]] of Hammond, and even the moderately conservative Edwin Edward Willis of St. Martinville, to expand the scope of the national government at the expense of the states.

Speedy Long said that he would model many of his votes in accord with north Louisiana Congressmen [[Joe Waggonner]], of Plain Dealing in Bossier Parish and [[Otto Passman]] of Monroe in Ouachita Parish. He pointed out at Gillis Long often voted with the liberal members of the delegation from south Louisiana, specifically, Hale Boggs of New Orleans, [[James H. Morrison]] of Hammond, and even the moderately conservative Edwin Edward Willis of St. Martinville, to expand the scope of the national government at the expense of the states.

Speedy Long upset Gillis Long for the Democratic congressional nomination in the famous "Battle of the Longs." Speedy's margin was some 4,900 votes. Relations between the two cousins were strained for years afterwards. In Congress, Speedy Long did as he had promised, often voting more like a Republican than a Democrat.

Speedy Long upset Gillis Long for the Democratic congressional nomination in the famous "Battle of the Longs." Speedy's margin was some 4,900 votes. Relations between the two cousins were strained for years afterwards. In Congress, Speedy Long did as he had promised, often voting more like a Republican than a Democrat.