Changes

In the October 20 nonpartisan [[primary]], Odom led Strain, 505,466 (41 percent) to 494,726 (40 percent). Two other candidates, Republicans Wayne Carter, a conservative member of the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro council from Odom's own Zachary, and Don Johnson, a farmer from Transylvania in the heavily Democratic East Carroll Parish, trailed with 152,872 (13 percent) and 69,469 (6 percent), respectively.  The total Republican vote hence totaled 59 percent. Johnson had also run against Odom in 1987, 1991, 1995, and 2003.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 20, 2007.</ref>

In the October 20 nonpartisan [[primary]], Odom led Strain, 505,466 (41 percent) to 494,726 (40 percent). Two other candidates, Republicans Wayne Carter, a conservative member of the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro council from Odom's own Zachary, and Don Johnson, a farmer from Transylvania in the heavily Democratic East Carroll Parish, trailed with 152,872 (13 percent) and 69,469 (6 percent), respectively.  The total Republican vote hence totaled 59 percent. Johnson had also run against Odom in 1987, 1991, 1995, and 2003.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 20, 2007.</ref>

Less than a week later, Odom announced that he would not contest the general election. Therefore, Strain was declared the winner of the election.<ref>Robert Travis Scott, "Odom quits race for re-election" ''The New Orleans Times-Picayune, October 25, 2007.</ref>

Less than a week later, Odom announced that he would not contest the general election. Therefore, Strain was declared the winner of the election.<ref>Robert Travis Scott, "Odom quits race for re-election" ''The New Orleans Times-Picayune,'' October 25, 2007.</ref>

Strain won a second term as agriculture commissioner in the primary held on October 22, 2011. With 640,631 votes (66.5 percent), he defeated two politically unknown opponents, Democrat Jamie LaBranche, who trailed with 267,576 votes (27.8 percent), and Republican Belinda Alexandrenko, who polled 54,842 votes (5.7 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Primary election returns, October 22, 2011.</ref>

Strain won a second term as agriculture commissioner in the primary held on October 22, 2011. With 640,631 votes (66.5 percent), he defeated two politically unknown opponents, Democrat Jamie LaBranche, who trailed with 267,576 votes (27.8 percent), and Republican Belinda Alexandrenko, who polled 54,842 votes (5.7 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Primary election returns, October 22, 2011.</ref>