Changes

|residence=Crowley, Acadia Parish  

|residence=Crowley, Acadia Parish  

|death_place=

|death_place=

|spouse=(1) Diana Istre Francis (divorced 2004)

|spouse=(1) Diana Istre Francis (married 1971-2004, divorced

(2) Shelia Gail Stevens Miller Francis

(2) Shelia Gail Stevens Miller Francis

|children=From first marriage:

|children=From first marriage:

Francis finished third in the race, based largely on his support in mostly rural and small-town parishes in his native north Louisiana. He received 26 percent of the vote. Democratic state Senator Francis C. Heitmeier of [[New Orleans]] polled 28 percent, and Dardenne led the field with 30 percent. None of the other four candidates had more than 9 percent.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, September 30, 2006.</ref>

Francis finished third in the race, based largely on his support in mostly rural and small-town parishes in his native north Louisiana. He received 26 percent of the vote. Democratic state Senator Francis C. Heitmeier of [[New Orleans]] polled 28 percent, and Dardenne led the field with 30 percent. None of the other four candidates had more than 9 percent.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, September 30, 2006.</ref>

Dardenne was hence scheduled to face a runoff contest with Heitmeier. In the meantime,<ref>Our Campaigns - LA Secretary of State - Special Runoff Race - Oct 10, 2006 , accessed April 27, 2021.</ref> announced that he would not support Dardenne in the second balloting but would run himself for the position in 2007. Heitmeier pulled out of the race and left Dardenne unopposed. Heitmeier's decision came in an otherwise a banner year for Democrats nationwide. Heitmeier and Dardenne were both term-limited in the state Senate and ineligible to have sought reelection in 2007. Heitmeier was succeeded by his brother, David Heitmeier, a New Orleans optometrist.<ref>concordia_sentinel_splash.jpg (343×400) (blogger.com) , accessed April 27, 2021.</ref> Francis declined to endorse Dardenne. "Just because I’m third doesn’t mean I need to sign on with one of them," Francis said on the Monday after the Saturday special election. "When you look at the voting record and history of Dardenne and Heitmeier, they are very similar. I disagree with term-limited senators running for this office."  Francis' largely self-financed campaign ads and literature targeted what he called the senators’ "liberal" votes for increased taxation and [[abortion]]. He said, "A public service comissioner works for the hard-working people of Louisiana, protecting them from excessive utility charges. Representing those who are in need, a PSC must be a person of high moral integrity. Mike Francis is dedicated to God, family and country. He is a proven leader with a strong work ethic."<ref name=ballotpedia/>

Dardenne was hence scheduled to face a runoff contest with Heitmeier. In the meantime,<ref>Our Campaigns - LA Secretary of State - Special Runoff Race - Oct 10, 2006 , accessed April 27, 2021.</ref> announced that he would not support Dardenne in the second balloting but would run himself for the position in 2007. Heitmeier pulled out of the race and left Dardenne unopposed. Heitmeier's decision came in an otherwise a banner year for Democrats nationwide. Heitmeier and Dardenne were both term-limited in the state Senate and ineligible to have sought reelection in 2007. Heitmeier was succeeded by his brother, David Heitmeier, a New Orleans optometrist.<ref>concordia_sentinel_splash.jpg (343×400) (blogger.com), accessed April 27, 2021.</ref> Francis declined to endorse Dardenne. "Just because I’m third doesn’t mean I need to sign on with one of them," Francis said on the Monday after the Saturday special election. "When you look at the voting record and history of Dardenne and Heitmeier, they are very similar. I disagree with term-limited senators running for this office."  Francis' largely self-financed campaign ads and literature targeted what he called the "liberal" record of Dardenne and Heitmeier for their votes for increased taxation and [[abortion]]. He said, "A public service comissioner works for the hard-working people of Louisiana, protecting them from excessive utility charges. Representing those who are in need, a PSC must be a person of high moral integrity. Mike Francis is dedicated to God, family and country. He is a proven leader with a strong work ethic."<ref name=ballotpedia/>

Former U.S. Senator [[David Vitter]], a Republican from Metairie in Jefferson Parish, endorsed Dardenne when a runoff appeared likely. He praised Dardenne's pro-business, governmental reform record and his "dogged determination and persistence" for term limits and other fundamental changes. "There couldn’t be a clearer choice: reform versus the courthouse crowd," Vitter claimed. Still there was speculation that Dardenne would challenge Vitter in the 2010 senatorial race, but he did not file candidacy papers.<ref>Vitter clears 50 percent in new poll; Dardenne decides not to run | Local Politics | nola.com, January 20, 2010, accessed April 27.</ref> Dardenne did not repay the favor in 2015 when Vitter lost his bid for the governorship to Democrat [[John Bel Edwards]]. In that primary race, Vitter accused his former ally, Dardenne, of being "liberal and Obama-like."<ref>David Vitter attack ads portray Republican opponents in governor’s race as liberal, Obama-like | Elections | theadvocate.com, accessed April 27, 2021; under a pay wall.</ref> Edwards then rewarded Dardenne with appointment as commissioner of administration.<ref>John Bel Edwards taps Jay Dardenne for top administrative job (fox8live.com), accessed April 27, 2021.</ref>

Former U.S. Senator [[David Vitter]], a Republican from Metairie in Jefferson Parish, endorsed Dardenne when a runoff appeared likely. He praised Dardenne's pro-business, governmental reform record and his "dogged determination and persistence" for term limits and other fundamental changes. "There couldn’t be a clearer choice: reform versus the courthouse crowd," Vitter claimed. Still there was speculation that Dardenne would challenge Vitter in the 2010 senatorial race, but he did not file candidacy papers.<ref>Vitter clears 50 percent in new poll; Dardenne decides not to run | Local Politics | nola.com, January 20, 2010, accessed April 27.</ref> Dardenne did not repay the favor in 2015 when Vitter lost his bid for the governorship to Democrat [[John Bel Edwards]]. In that primary race, Vitter accused his former ally, Dardenne, of being "liberal and Obama-like."<ref>David Vitter attack ads portray Republican opponents in governor’s race as liberal, Obama-like | Elections | theadvocate.com, accessed April 27, 2021; under a pay wall.</ref> Edwards then rewarded Dardenne with appointment as commissioner of administration.<ref>John Bel Edwards taps Jay Dardenne for top administrative job (fox8live.com), accessed April 27, 2021.</ref>