Changes

With higher name recognition as secretary of state and a large vote in East Baton Rouge Parish, Jay Dardenne led the field of candidates in the special election. Finishing second was the Democrat Caroline Fayard, a favorite of former [[U.S. President]] Bill Clinton, who came to Louisiana to endorse her candidacy. Villere finished sixth among eight candidates. Had his 44,096 votes (7 percent) gone instead to Sammy Kershaw, the November exchange would have been an all-Republican affair between Dardenne and Kershaw.

With higher name recognition as secretary of state and a large vote in East Baton Rouge Parish, Jay Dardenne led the field of candidates in the special election. Finishing second was the Democrat Caroline Fayard, a favorite of former [[U.S. President]] Bill Clinton, who came to Louisiana to endorse her candidacy. Villere finished sixth among eight candidates. Had his 44,096 votes (7 percent) gone instead to Sammy Kershaw, the November exchange would have been an all-Republican affair between Dardenne and Kershaw.

Dardenne said that Villere's party leadership post did not appear to have "transferred into broad support" outside the 144-member Republican State Central Committee which reelected Villere as chairman in 2010. "It [Villere candidacy] has not been a problem for me in terms of raising money and garnering support. I've been able to raise a lot of money from Republicans and the major Republican donors across the state are lining up behind me," said Dardenne.<ref name=dardenne>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20100823/NEWS01/308230058/Republican-candidates-question-Villere-conflict-|title=Republican candidates question Villere's conflict|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|accessdate=August 23, 2010; no longer on-line.}}</ref>​

Dardenne said that Villere's party leadership post did not appear to have "transferred into broad support" outside the 144-member Republican State Central Committee which reelected Villere as chairman in 2010. "It [Villere candidacy] has not been a problem for me in terms of raising money and garnering support. I've been able to raise a lot of money from Republicans and the major Republican donors across the state are lining up behind me," said Dardenne.<ref name=dardenne>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20100823/NEWS01/308230058/Republican-candidates-question-Villere-conflict-|title=Republican candidates question Villere's conflict|publisher=''[[Alexandria Town Talk]]''|accessdate=August 23, 2010; no longer on-line.}}</ref>​

Kershaw called Villere's candidacy "a direct conflict of interest on several levels. His job is to raise money and get Republican candidates elected. While running his own campaign, there's no way he can effectively do his job. I think Mr. Villere should have resigned [when he announced for lieutenant governor]. He's a nice guy, as far as I know, but if he can't win the race without being chairman, he shouldn't run."<ref name=dardenne/>​

Kershaw called Villere's candidacy "a direct conflict of interest on several levels. His job is to raise money and get Republican candidates elected. While running his own campaign, there's no way he can effectively do his job. I think Mr. Villere should have resigned [when he announced for lieutenant governor]. He's a nice guy, as far as I know, but if he can't win the race without being chairman, he shouldn't run."<ref name=dardenne/>​