Changes

In 2012, Strain, presumably seeking future allies in a race for governor, became the first statewide or multi-parish political figure to make an endorsement in the heated 3rd congressional district race between Republican incumbents Charles Boustany, a [[Moderate Republican]] and [[Jeff Landry]], a conservative. Strain chose Boustany, the winning candidate, having cited the representative's past support for the agricultural sector.<ref>Jordan Blum, "Boustany gets Strain's support," ''The Baton Rouge Advocate,'' October 31, 2012.</ref> The 3rd district seat is now held by a conservative Republican, [[Clay Higgins]].

In 2012, Strain, presumably seeking future allies in a race for governor, became the first statewide or multi-parish political figure to make an endorsement in the heated 3rd congressional district race between Republican incumbents Charles Boustany, a [[Moderate Republican]] and [[Jeff Landry]], a conservative. Strain chose Boustany, the winning candidate, having cited the representative's past support for the agricultural sector.<ref>Jordan Blum, "Boustany gets Strain's support," ''The Baton Rouge Advocate,'' October 31, 2012.</ref> The 3rd district seat is now held by a conservative Republican, [[Clay Higgins]].

On June 28, 2013, Strain bowed out of further consideration in the 2015 gubernatorial race and announced in New Orleans that he would instead seek a third term as agriculture commissioner; in his words, "to keep the job I love." Then Lieutenant Governor John Leigh "Jay" Dardenne, Jr., who sought the governorship, expressed satisfaction that Strain would not be running because the two would have appealed to the same segment of voters had both entered the race to succeed Bobby Jindal.<ref>"Strain to skip governor's race," ''The Monroe News-Star,,'' June 28, 2013.</ref>

On June 28, 2013, Strain bowed out of further consideration in the 2015 gubernatorial race and announced in New Orleans that he would instead seek a third term as agriculture commissioner; in his words, "to keep the job I love." Then Lieutenant Governor John Leigh "Jay" Dardenne, Jr., who sought the governorship, expressed satisfaction that Strain would not be running because the two would have appealed to the same segment of voters had both entered the race to succeed Bobby Jindal.<ref>"Strain to skip governor's race," ''The Monroe News-Star,'' June 28, 2013.</ref>

In the primary on October 24, 2015, Strain defeated the Democrat Charlie Greer of [[rural]] Natchez in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches Parish]]; a fellow Republican, Jamie LaBranche of LaPlace, in St. John the Baptist Parish, and a [[Green Party]] opponent, Adrian "Ace" Juttner of Abita Springs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/candidates-qualified-in-statewide-elections/|title=Candidates Qualified in Statewide Elections|publisher=KEEL (AM) Radio|author=Angela Thomas|date=September 10, 2015|accessdate=April 16, 2021}}</ref> Strain polled 603,557 votes (58.2 percent) to Greer's 312,335 (30.1 percent), LaBranche's 85,363 (8.2 percent), and Juttner's 36,180 (3.5 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Primary election returns, October 24, 2015}}</ref>

In the primary on October 24, 2015, Strain defeated the Democrat Charlie Greer of [[rural]] Natchez in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches Parish]]; a fellow Republican, Jamie LaBranche of LaPlace, in St. John the Baptist Parish, and a [[Green Party]] opponent, Adrian "Ace" Juttner of Abita Springs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/candidates-qualified-in-statewide-elections/|title=Candidates Qualified in Statewide Elections|publisher=KEEL (AM) Radio|author=Angela Thomas|date=September 10, 2015|accessdate=April 16, 2021}}</ref> Strain polled 603,557 votes (58.2 percent) to Greer's 312,335 (30.1 percent), LaBranche's 85,363 (8.2 percent), and Juttner's 36,180 (3.5 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Primary election returns, October 24, 2015}}</ref>