Changes

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>

Francis' former wife of thirty-three years, Diana Istre Francis (born December 20, 1950) of Lafayette,<ref>Diana Francis (Istre), 70 - Lafayette, LA Background Report at MyLife.com™, accessed April 27, 2021.</ref>was accused of vandalizing Francis Fluids in retaliation for their divorce.<ref>FRANCIS v. FRANCIS | FindLaw, April 30, 2008; accessed April 27, 2021.</ref>Francis' company airplane became an issue in the Secretary of State's race, which was required to be reported by state law and the judge in Francis' 2004 divorce case.<ref>Our Campaigns - News - [LA] Secretary of state candidate [Mike Francis] to begin reporting company plane use - Sep 28, 2006, accessed April 21, 2021.</ref>\

Francis' former wife of thirty-three years, Diana Istre Francis (born December 20, 1950) of Lafayette,<ref>Diana Francis (Istre), 70 - Lafayette, LA Background Report at MyLife.com™, accessed April 27, 2021.</ref>was accused of vandalizing Francis Fluids in retaliation for their divorce.<ref>FRANCIS v. FRANCIS | FindLaw, April 30, 2008; accessed April 27, 2021.</ref>Francis' company airplane became an issue in the Secretary of State's race; the plane was required to be reported by state law and the judge in Francis' 2004 divorce case.<ref>Our Campaigns - News - [LA] Secretary of state candidate [Mike Francis] to begin reporting company plane use - Sep 28, 2006, accessed April 21, 2021.</ref>

According to campaign finance reports, Dardenne raised $722,631; Francis, $149,637 and added $70,000 of his own funds for a total of $219,650. In his unsuccessful race, Francis carried the support of the failed 2008 presidential candidate, U. S. Senator [[John McCain]], a Moderate Republican from [[Arizona]].

According to campaign finance reports, Dardenne raised $722,631; Francis, $149,637 and added $70,000 of his own funds for a total of $219,650. In his unsuccessful race, Francis carried the support of the failed 2008 presidential candidate, U. S. Senator [[John McCain]], a Moderate Republican from [[Arizona]].