Changes

Five Democrats and four Republicans had competed in the first round of balloting on April 1, 2006. The Democrats polled a combined 57 percent of the vote to the [[Republican Party|GOP]]'s 43 percent. The top candidates were Owens, with 1,858 (18 percent) and Chandler, with 1,574 (16 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/04012006/04012006_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana legislative election returns, April 1, 2006|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=August 26, 2011}}</ref> In the runoff, Owens doubled his votes, but Chandler tripled his share of the tabulation.<ref name="ReferenceA">''Alexandria Daily Town Talk'', April 30, 2006</ref>

Five Democrats and four Republicans had competed in the first round of balloting on April 1, 2006. The Democrats polled a combined 57 percent of the vote to the [[Republican Party|GOP]]'s 43 percent. The top candidates were Owens, with 1,858 (18 percent) and Chandler, with 1,574 (16 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/04012006/04012006_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana legislative election returns, April 1, 2006|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=August 26, 2011}}</ref> In the runoff, Owens doubled his votes, but Chandler tripled his share of the tabulation.<ref name="ReferenceA">''Alexandria Daily Town Talk'', April 30, 2006</ref>

Owens had also lost to Wright in the 2003 general election. He was weakened in the 2006 race because of controversy surrounding a divorce. The seat had become  vacant when Wright resigned as part of a [[plea bargain]] involving a [[misdemeanor]] [[obscenity]] charge at Lake Buhlow in Pineville.<ref>''Alexandria Daily Town Talk'', December 30, 2005</ref>

Owens had also lost to Wright in the 2003 general election. He was weakened in the 2006 race because of controversy surrounding a divorce. The seat had become  vacant when Wright resigned as part of a [[plea bargain]] involving a [[misdemeanor]] [[obscenity]] charge at Lake Buhlow in Pineville.<ref>''Alexandria Daily Town Talk,'' December 30, 2005.</ref>

Chandler's initial victory was made possible by his strong showing as the favorite son in Grant Parish. Chandler told the ''The Alexandria Daily Town Talk'', the largest newspaper of central Louisiana, in a victory statement on election night that he would "represent all parties, wherever they may be, all communities in the district, for one common good, to advance meeting the needs in this district. The constituents have plainly made [it clear] that they haven't been pleased in the past with [Wright's representation]."<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Chandler's initial victory was made possible by his strong showing as the favorite son in Grant Parish. Chandler told the ''The Alexandria Daily Town Talk'', the largest newspaper of central Louisiana, in a victory statement on election night that he would "represent all parties, wherever they may be, all communities in the district, for one common good, to advance meeting the needs in this district. The constituents have plainly made [it clear] that they haven't been pleased in the past with [Wright's representation]."<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Then Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Chris Whittington hailed Chandler's victory. "As a Democrat, Billy Chandler displays the moral values that we all share: helping the less fortunate, providing for our families and caring for our seniors. He will fight hard in Baton Rouge to provide better schools for our children, create good-paying jobs for our working men and women, and secure retirement benefits for our seniors," Whittington said.  

Then Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Chris Whittington hailed Chandler's victory. "As a Democrat, Billy Chandler displays the moral values that we all share: helping the less fortunate, providing for our families and caring for our seniors. He will fight hard in Baton Rouge to provide better schools for our children, create good-paying jobs for our working men and women, and secure retirement benefits for our seniors," Whittington said.  

District 22 was created in 1972, with Democrat Richard S. Thompson of Colfax as its first representative. The district frequently votes Republican in races for U.S. president, governor, or U.S. senator but had always sent a Democrat to the state legislature, with the exception of 1992 to 1996, when it was represented by the Independent Stephen L. Gunn of Montgomery, also in Grant Parish. Gunn did not seek a second term, and Thomas Wright was elected to succeed him

District 22 was created in 1972, with Democrat Richard S. Thompson of Colfax as its first representative. The district frequently votes Republican in races for U.S. president, governor, or U.S. senator but had always sent a Democrat to the state legislature, with the exception of 1992 to 1996, when it was represented by the Independent [[Stephen Gunn]] of Montgomery, also in Grant Parish. Gunn did not seek a second term, and Thomas Wright was elected to succeed him

==Election of 2007==

==Election of 2007==