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Dasher is a pharmaceutical representative for a biotechnology company. He previously worked in [[real estate]] and in fundraising for non-profit organizations. He has volunteered with various ministries through White's Ferry Road Church of Christ, of which he and his wife are members. He is involved in the campus ministry of the University Church of Christ at the [[University of Louisiana at Monroe]].<ref name="kalb-tv"/>​

Dasher is a pharmaceutical representative for a biotechnology company. He previously worked in [[real estate]] and in fundraising for non-profit organizations. He has volunteered with various ministries through White's Ferry Road Church of Christ, of which he and his wife are members. He is involved in the campus ministry of the University Church of Christ at the [[University of Louisiana at Monroe]].<ref name="kalb-tv"/>​

==2014 congressional race==​

==2014 congressional race==

 

Before his declaration of candidacy for Congress in June 2014, Dasher had never before sought political office.​

Before his declaration of candidacy for Congress in June 2014, Dasher had never before sought political office.​

 

On June 16, Dasher announced his candidacy for the seat held by the short-term [[incumbent]], his fellow Republican Vance McAllister of Swartz], located northeast of Monroe in Ouachita Parish. In Louisiana's nonpartisan blanket primary, all candidates compete together on one ballot regardless of party affiliation. Since no candidate obtained a majority vote on November 4, the top two candidates entered a December 6 runoff election, officially called the [[general election]]. Two other Republicans, Ed Tarpley, the former district attorney for Grant Parish, and small businessman Andrew Harris Brown (born June 1965) of Monroe, the son of a former state senator, were the first candidates to enter the race. Other Republicans who ran, included the victorious [[Ralph Abraham]], a [[physician]] and a former [[veterinarian]] from Mangham in Richland Parish and former U.S. Representative and then Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Clyde C. Holloway (1943-2016) of Forest Hill in south Rapides Parish.  Only one [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], [[Mayor]] Jamie Mayo of Monroe, an [[African-American]], ran for the seat. Mayo had also been a candidate in the 2013 [[special election]] for the seat won by Vance McAllister. The ballot further included [[Green Party]] candidate Eliot S. Barron of [[New Orleans]], who lived outside the district, and [[Libertarian Party|Libertarian]] Charles Saucier of Ponchatoula in Tangipahoa Parish in southeastern Louisiana.<ref name="news-star">{{cite web|url = http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/politics/2014/08/11/duck-dynasty-cousin-leads-th-district-fund-raising/13889249/|title='Duck Dynasty' cousin leads 5th District fundraising |publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=September 15, 2014 |accessdate September 25, 2014|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]}}</ref>​

On June 16, Dasher announced his candidacy for the seat held by the short-term [[incumbent]], his fellow Republican Vance McAllister of Swartz], located northeast of Monroe in Ouachita Parish. In Louisiana's nonpartisan blanket primary, all candidates compete together on one ballot regardless of party affiliation. Since no candidate obtained a majority vote on November 4, the top two candidates entered a December 6 runoff election, officially called the [[general election]]. Two other Republicans, Ed Tarpley, the former district attorney for Grant Parish, and small businessman Andrew Harris Brown (born June 1965) of Monroe, the son of a former state senator, were the first candidates to enter the race. Other Republicans who ran, included the victorious [[Ralph Abraham]], a [[physician]] and a former [[veterinarian]] from Mangham in Richland Parish and former U.S. Representative and then Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Clyde C. Holloway (1943-2016) of Forest Hill in south Rapides Parish.  Only one [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], [[Mayor]] Jamie Mayo of Monroe, an [[African-American]], ran for the seat. Mayo had also been a candidate in the 2013 [[special election]] for the seat won by Vance McAllister. The ballot further included [[Green Party]] candidate Eliot S. Barron of [[New Orleans]], who lived outside the district, and [[Libertarian Party|Libertarian]] Charles Saucier of Ponchatoula in Tangipahoa Parish in southeastern Louisiana.<ref name="news-star">{{cite web|url = http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/politics/2014/08/11/duck-dynasty-cousin-leads-th-district-fund-raising/13889249/|title='Duck Dynasty' cousin leads 5th District fundraising |publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=September 15, 2014 |accessdate September 25, 2014|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]}}</ref>​

 

In his 2014 announcement, Dasher described his reasons for seeking the congressional seat:​<blockquote>For too long, we've sat idly by while [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] politicians slowly gain control over every aspect of our lives. ... We did not send people to Washington to determine our rights. We sent them there to defend our rights, but that's not what they're doing.<ref name="hay ride">{{cite web|url=http://thehayride.com/2014/06/more-ducks-for-congress-phil-robertson-nephew-announces-la-05-run/|title=More ducks for Congress: Phil Robertson's nephew announces LA-05 run|author=Scott McKay|publisher=''The Hay Ride'''|date=June 16, 2014|accessdate=September 28, 2014}}</ref>​</blockquote>

In his 2014 announcement, Dasher described his reasons for seeking the congressional seat:​<blockquote>For too long, we've sat idly by while [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] politicians slowly gain control over every aspect of our lives. ... We did not send people to Washington to determine our rights. We sent them there to defend our rights, but that's not what they're doing.<ref name="hay ride">{{cite web|url=http://thehayride.com/2014/06/more-ducks-for-congress-phil-robertson-nephew-announces-la-05-run/|title=More ducks for Congress: Phil Robertson's nephew announces LA-05 run|author=Scott McKay|publisher=''The Hay Ride'''|date=June 16, 2014|accessdate=September 28, 2014}}</ref>​</blockquote>

Dasher has stated that had he been elected, he would have sought to reduce federal spending, for balancing of the federal budget, for free market principles, for a "child's right to life," for gun ownership rights under the [[Second Amendment]] to the [[United States Constitution]], and for privatization of veteran's insurance, for reduction of [[Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] regulations, for policy encouraging domestic production of energy, and for repeal of the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]], also known as [[Obamacare]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://time.com/2882445/duck-dynasty-nephew-to-run-for-congress/|publisher=''[[Time magazine|Time]]''|author=Elizabeth Dias|title=Duck Dynasty Nephew to Run for Congress|date=June 16, 2014}}</ref> In contrast to incumbent Vance McAllister, Dasher opposed the expansion of [[Medicaid]], saying that he "would not support anything that keeps people on government programs."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/06/duck_dynasty_cousin_joins_5th.html|title=Duck Dynasty family cousin joins 5th District congressional race|publisher=''The New Orleans Times-Picayune|author=Julia O'Donoghue|date=June 16, 2014}}</ref>​

Dasher has stated that had he been elected, he would have sought to reduce federal spending, for balancing of the federal budget, for free market principles, for a "child's right to life," for gun ownership rights under the [[Second Amendment]] to the [[United States Constitution]], and for privatization of veteran's insurance, for reduction of [[Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] regulations, for policy encouraging domestic production of energy, and for repeal of the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]], also known as [[Obamacare]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://time.com/2882445/duck-dynasty-nephew-to-run-for-congress/|publisher=''[[Time magazine|Time]]''|author=Elizabeth Dias|title=Duck Dynasty Nephew to Run for Congress|date=June 16, 2014}}</ref> In contrast to incumbent Vance McAllister, Dasher opposed the expansion of [[Medicaid]], saying that he "would not support anything that keeps people on government programs."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/06/duck_dynasty_cousin_joins_5th.html|title=Duck Dynasty family cousin joins 5th District congressional race|publisher=''The New Orleans Times-Picayune|author=Julia O'Donoghue|date=June 16, 2014}}</ref>​

 

Dasher expressed concern for what he views as attempts to remove traditional religious practice from the public arena, saying that "our rights do not come from a bunch of elite politicians in Washington, D.C. They come from the Almighty [[God]]".<ref name="hay ride"/>​

Dasher expressed concern for what he views as attempts to remove traditional religious practice from the public arena, saying that "our rights do not come from a bunch of elite politicians in Washington, D.C. They come from the Almighty [[God]]".<ref name="hay ride"/>​

 

McAllister, a married man who ran on a platform of family values, was caught kissing a volunteer, the wife of one of McAllister's friends, two months after his election to Congress. After the breaking scandal, McAllister said that he would not run for a full term in the position but then announced his candidacy for reelection shortly after Dasher entered the race. The scandal has made McAllister seem vulnerable for a first-term incumbent. In addition to Mayo, McAllister drew a large field of Republican challengers, some of whom, like Holloway, supported McAllister in his 2013 special election runoff contest against then state Senator [[Neil Riser]], a Republican, who in 2020 became a state representative after having been term-limited in the upper chamber. Riser did not run in the regular 2014 election.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/election/2014/08/31/scandal-mcallister-lacks-incumbents-edge/14895331/|title=After scandal, McAllister lacks incumbent’s edge|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|first=Melinda Deslatte|date=August 31, 2014}}</ref>​

McAllister, a married man who ran on a platform of family values, was caught kissing a volunteer, the wife of one of McAllister's friends, two months after his election to Congress. After the breaking scandal, McAllister said that he would not run for a full term in the position but then announced his candidacy for reelection shortly after Dasher entered the race. The scandal has made McAllister seem vulnerable for a first-term incumbent. In addition to Mayo, McAllister drew a large field of Republican challengers, some of whom, like Holloway, supported McAllister in his 2013 special election runoff contest against then state Senator [[Neil Riser]], a Republican, who in 2020 became a state representative after having been term-limited in the upper chamber. Riser did not run in the regular 2014 election.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/election/2014/08/31/scandal-mcallister-lacks-incumbents-edge/14895331/|title=After scandal, McAllister lacks incumbent’s edge|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|first=Melinda Deslatte|date=August 31, 2014}}</ref>​

On September 23, Phil Robertson released a [[radio]] commercial endorsing his nephew.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://theadvocate.com/news/10350383-123/duck-commander-releases-radio-commercial​|title = Duck Commander releases ad for Dasher|date=September 24, 2014|accessdate=September 24, 2014|page = 3A|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|author=Mark Ballard​

On September 23, Phil Robertson released a [[radio]] commercial endorsing his nephew.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://theadvocate.com/news/10350383-123/duck-commander-releases-radio-commercial​|title = Duck Commander releases ad for Dasher|date=September 24, 2014|accessdate=September 24, 2014|page = 3A|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|author=Mark Ballard​

}}</ref> Dasher also carrids the backing of U.S. Senator [[Ted Cruz]] of [[Texas]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/politics/2014/10/29/texas-sen-cruz-endorses-dasher-th-district-race/18117127/|title=Texas Sen. Cruz endorses Dasher in 5th District race|first=Greg|last=Hilburn|publisher=''Monroe News-Star''|accessdate=October 29, 2014}}</ref> and [[Sarah Palin]], the 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee. In her endorsement, Palin stressed Dasher's opposition to [[abortion]] and support for the Second Amendment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/local/2014/09/10/palin-endorses-dasher-th-district-race/15428721/|title=Palin endorses Dasher in 5th district race|date=September 10, 2014|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|accessdate=September 25, 2014}}</ref> Organizations backing Dasher included the [[political action committee]] of the [[Family Research Council]], headed by former Louisiana state Representative]] [[Tony Perkins]], Senate Conservatives Fund, and the [[Tea Party]], which claimed to be the nation's largest tea party PAC, [[Citizens United]], and the [[Club for Growth]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/politics/2014/10/15/two-conservative-groups-endorse-dasher/17302963/|title=Two more conservative groups endorse Dasher|author=Greg  Hilburn|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|accessdate=October 16, 2014}}</ref>​

}}</ref> Dasher also carrids the backing of U.S. Senator [[Ted Cruz]] of [[Texas]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/politics/2014/10/29/texas-sen-cruz-endorses-dasher-th-district-race/18117127/|title=Texas Sen. Cruz endorses Dasher in 5th District race|first=Greg|last=Hilburn|publisher=''Monroe News-Star''|accessdate=October 29, 2014}}</ref> and [[Sarah Palin]], the 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee. In her endorsement, Palin stressed Dasher's opposition to [[abortion]] and support for the Second Amendment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/local/2014/09/10/palin-endorses-dasher-th-district-race/15428721/|title=Palin endorses Dasher in 5th district race|date=September 10, 2014|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|accessdate=September 25, 2014}}</ref> Organizations backing Dasher included the [[political action committee]] of the [[Family Research Council]], headed by former Louisiana state Representative]] [[Tony Perkins]], Senate Conservatives Fund, and the [[Tea Party]], which claimed to be the nation's largest tea party PAC, [[Citizens United]], and the [[Club for Growth]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/politics/2014/10/15/two-conservative-groups-endorse-dasher/17302963/|title=Two more conservative groups endorse Dasher|author=Greg  Hilburn|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|accessdate=October 16, 2014}}</ref>​

 

Dasher  made several [[radio]] appearances to promote his candidacy on ''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]].''​

Dasher  made several [[radio]] appearances to promote his candidacy on ''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]].''​

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In the November 4 primary, Dasher finished a strong third in the congressional race with 53,627 votes (22.4 percent). Incumbent Vance McAllister ran fourth with 26,608 (11 percent). Former Representative Clyde Holloway finished in fifth palace with 17,877 votes (7 percent). The contest proceeded to a [[runoff election]] in which Mayor Mayo<ref>[[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]] [[Mayor]] Jamie is a candidate for a fourth full term in office in the primary scheduled for April 4, 2020. He faces, among other opponents, an [[Independent]], business Friday Ellis.</ref> led the field with 67,611 primary votes (28.2 percent) and entered a runoff with Republican Dr. Ralph Abraham, who ran second with 55,489 primary votes (23.2 percent). Abraham finished 1,862 votes ahead of Dasher to gain the coveted runoff berth. 26,606 votes (11.1 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 4, 2014.</ref>​

In the November 4 primary, Dasher finished a strong third in the congressional race with 53,627 votes (22.4 percent). Incumbent Vance McAllister ran fourth with 26,608 (11 percent). Former Representative Clyde Holloway finished in fifth palace with 17,877 votes (7 percent). The contest proceeded to a [[runoff election]] in which Mayor Mayo<ref>[[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]] [[Mayor]] Jamie is a candidate for a fourth full term in office in the primary scheduled for April 4, 2020. He faces, among other opponents, an [[Independent]], business Friday Ellis.</ref> led the field with 67,611 primary votes (28.2 percent) and entered a runoff with Republican Dr. Ralph Abraham, who ran second with 55,489 primary votes (23.2 percent). Abraham finished 1,862 votes ahead of Dasher to gain the coveted runoff berth. 26,606 votes (11.1 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 4, 2014.</ref>​

In the general election on December 6, Abraham topped Mayo, 134,616 votes (64 percent) to 75,006 (36 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, December 6, 2014.</ref>  In 2019, Abraham ran unsuccessfully for [[governor]]. With a third place finish, he lost a runoff berth to fellow Republican [[Eddie Rispone]] of [[Baton Rouge]].

In the general election held on December 6, Abraham topped Mayo, 134,616 votes (64 percent) to 75,006 (36 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, December 6, 2014.</ref>  In 2019, Abraham ran unsuccessfully for [[governor]]. With a third place finish, he lost a runoff berth to fellow Republican [[Eddie Rispone]] of [[Baton Rouge]].

==References==

==References==