Changes

Had he sought a second term in the state House, Roy would have faced two Republicans in the October 22 nonpartisan blanket [[primary]], [[Lance Harris]] of Alexandria and Barett Byrd of Woodworth]in south Rapides Parish, a graduate of the [[University of Arkansas]] and a retired colonel in the [[United States Marine Corps]].<ref>"Byrd to seek Louisiana District 25 seat held by Roy," ''The Alexandria  Town Talk,'' July 14, 2011.</ref></ref> Harris, who owns a chain of convenience stores, defeated Byrd in the primary, 7,577 votes  (55.5 percent) to 6,088 (44.6 percent) and succeeded Roy in the state House.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 22, 2011.</ref>​  

Had he sought a second term in the state House, Roy would have faced two Republicans in the October 22 nonpartisan blanket [[primary]], [[Lance Harris]] of Alexandria and Barett Byrd of Woodworth]in south Rapides Parish, a graduate of the [[University of Arkansas]] and a retired colonel in the [[United States Marine Corps]].<ref>"Byrd to seek Louisiana District 25 seat held by Roy," ''The Alexandria  Town Talk,'' July 14, 2011.</ref></ref> Harris, who owns a chain of convenience stores, defeated Byrd in the primary, 7,577 votes  (55.5 percent) to 6,088 (44.6 percent) and succeeded Roy in the state House.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 22, 2011.</ref>​  

Instead, Roy announced his exit from the legislature so that he could spend more "Little League time" with his youngest son, John Roy, a seventh grader in 2011.<ref name=kalb/> Representative Roy also said that he had grown weary of partisan divisions, particularly during recent controversies over congressional [[redistricting]].<ref name=roy>"Rep. Roy opts for family time over running for reelection," ''The Alexandria Town Talk,''July 20, 2011.</ref>​ After a series of party switches by Democratic members from increasingly Republican-leaning areas and several [[special election]]s held in 2010 and 2011, Republicans claimed majorities in both legislative chambers for the first time since [[Reconstruction]].<ref>"Republican majority in Louisiana House of Representatives increases," ''The New Orleans Times-Picayune,'' March 12, 2011.</ref>​

Instead, Roy announced his exit from the legislature so that he could spend more "Little League time" with his youngest son, John Roy, a seventh grader in 2011.<ref name=kalb/> Representative Roy also said that he had grown weary of partisan divisions, particularly during recent controversies over congressional [[redistricting]].<ref name=roy>"Rep. Roy opts for family time over running for reelection," ''[[Alexandria Town Talk]],''July 20, 2011.</ref>​ After a series of party switches by Democratic members from increasingly Republican-leaning areas and several [[special election]]s held in 2010 and 2011, Republicans claimed majorities in both legislative chambers for the first time since [[Reconstruction]].<ref>"Republican majority in Louisiana House of Representatives increases," ''The New Orleans Times-Picayune,'' March 12, 2011.</ref>​

Elliott Stonecipher, a conservative political consultant and pollster from [[Shreveport]], noted that redistricting may have strengthened the slim Republican majorities in the legislature. Senate District 29, then represented by the retiring Democrat [[Joe McPherson]], also of Woodworth, was carved up into a minority district that meanders from south Rapides to Lincoln parishes. Stonecipher said that while the ranks of African-American legislators may increase, the final numbers may not translate into Democrat numerical gains.<ref name=roy/>​

Elliott Stonecipher, a conservative political consultant and pollster from [[Shreveport]], noted that redistricting may have strengthened the slim Republican majorities in the legislature. Senate District 29, then represented by the retiring Democrat [[Joe McPherson]], also of Woodworth, was carved up into a minority district that meanders from south Rapides to Lincoln parishes. Stonecipher said that while the ranks of African-American legislators may increase, the final numbers may not translate into Democrat numerical gains.<ref name=roy/>​