Changes

In 1961, Waggonner was chosen president of (1) the Louisiana School Boards Association and (2) the United Schools Committee of Louisiana. He had also been instrumental, along with William Rainach, in the founding of the White Citizens Council in the late 1950s.

In 1961, Waggonner was chosen president of (1) the Louisiana School Boards Association and (2) the United Schools Committee of Louisiana. He had also been instrumental, along with William Rainach, in the founding of the White Citizens Council in the late 1950s.

==Defeating Charlton Lyons==

===Defeating Charlton Lyons===

Waggonner was initially elected to Congress in a [[special election]] held in December 1961 to succeed Democrat Thomas Overton Brooks, who died in office. He defeated the Republican choice, [[business]]man [[Charlton Lyons]], an oilman from [[Shreveport]] but like Waggonner's former intra-party opponent for state comptroller, Roy Theriot, Lyons was a native of Abbeville. Waggonner carried the backing of the conservative ''[[Shreveport Journal]],'' edited at the time by [[George W. Shannon]]. Lyons subsequently ran for governor in 1964 against Democrat [[John J. McKeithen]], that time with Shannon's editorial support. Thereafter, Waggonner rarely had opposition.  

Waggonner was initially elected to Congress in a [[special election]] held in December 1961 to succeed Democrat Thomas Overton Brooks, who died in office. He defeated the Republican choice, [[business]]man [[Charlton Lyons]], an oilman from [[Shreveport]] but like Waggonner's former intra-party opponent for state comptroller, Roy Theriot, Lyons was a native of Abbeville. Waggonner carried the backing of the conservative ''[[Shreveport Journal]],'' edited at the time by [[George W. Shannon]]. Lyons subsequently ran for governor in 1964 against Democrat [[John J. McKeithen]], that time with Shannon's editorial support. Thereafter, Waggonner rarely had opposition.