Changes

| governor=[[Edwin Edwards]]​

| governor=[[Edwin Edwards]]​

| preceded= Clarence C. "Taddy" Aycock​

| preceded= Clarence C. "Taddy" Aycock​

| succeeded=[[Robert L. Freeman]]​

| succeeded=[[Robert Freeman]]​

| birth_date=November 15, 1921​

| birth_date=November 15, 1921​

| birth_place=[[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]​

| birth_place=[[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]​

'''James Edward Fitzmorris, Jr.''', known as '''Jimmy Fitzmorris''' or just '''Fitz''' (born November 15, 1921),  is a [[business]]man and civic leader who was the [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] lieutenant governor of [[Louisiana]] from 1972 to 1980, during the first two of the four terms of [[Governor]] [[Edwin Edwards]]. He was the first full-time lieutenant governor in state history; in his first term, prior to implementation of the Constitution of 1974, he was the last lieutenant governor whose duties included presiding over the state Senate. Now the office is charged with promoting [[tourism]].

'''James Edward Fitzmorris, Jr.''', known as '''Jimmy Fitzmorris''' or just '''Fitz''' (born November 15, 1921),  is a [[business]]man and civic leader who was the [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] lieutenant governor of [[Louisiana]] from 1972 to 1980, during the first two of the four terms of [[Governor]] [[Edwin Edwards]]. He was the first full-time lieutenant governor in state history; in his first term, prior to implementation of the Constitution of 1974, he was the last lieutenant governor whose duties included presiding over the state Senate. Now the office is charged with promoting [[tourism]].

In 1979, he ran third in the nonpartisan blanket primary for governor. In 1983, he was unsuccessful is his effort to regain the lieutenant governor's office from his successor, Robert L. "Bobby" Freeman, a fellow Democrat.

In 1979, he ran third in the nonpartisan blanket primary for governor. In 1983, he was unsuccessful is his effort to regain the lieutenant governor's office from his successor, [[Robert Freeman]], a fellow Democrat.

==Background==

==Background==

==Running for governor==

==Running for governor==

Fitzmorris entered the nonpartisan blanket primary for governor, held on October 27, 1979, amid a large field, including then Congressman [[David C. Treen]] of Louisiana's 3rd congressional district, outgoing secretary of state [[Paul Hardy]] of St. Martinville in St. Martin Parish, Public Service Commissioner [[Louis Lambert]] of Ascension Parish, House Speaker [[E. L. "Bubba" Henry]] of Jonesboro in Jackson Parish and state Senator Edgar G. "Sonny" Mouton, Jr., of [[Lafayette]]. Fitzmorris had wide but somewhat shallow support and an impressive campaign reservoir.

Fitzmorris entered the nonpartisan blanket primary for governor, held on October 27, 1979, amid a large field, including then Congressman [[David C. Treen]] of Louisiana's 3rd congressional district, outgoing secretary of state [[Paul Hardy]] of St. Martinville in St. Martin Parish, Public Service Commissioner [[Louis Lambert]] of Ascension Parish, House Speaker [[E. L. "Bubba" Henry]] of Jonesboro in Jackson Parish and state Senator [[Edgar G. "Sonny" Mouton, Jr.]], of [[Lafayette]]. Fitzmorris had wide but somewhat shallow support and an impressive campaign reservoir.

Treen led the primary with 297,674 votes. Fitzmorris at first appeared headed into the general election with Treen, with 280,490 votes. Lambert had 279,014. Lambert correctly predicted that "there will be changes in the final results." Paul Hardy finished in fourth place with 225,058 votes, while Henry and Mouton trailed with 135,299 and 123,126, respectively. The official results switched the positions of Fitzmorris and Lambert: Fitzmorris polled 280,760 votes; Lambert, 283,266. Lambert hence got into the general election by a margin of some 2,300 votes greater than what Fitzmorris had received.

Treen led the primary with 297,674 votes. Fitzmorris at first appeared headed into the general election with Treen, with 280,490 votes. Lambert had 279,014. Lambert correctly predicted that "there will be changes in the final results." Paul Hardy finished in fourth place with 225,058 votes, while Henry and Mouton trailed with 135,299 and 123,126, respectively. The official results switched the positions of Fitzmorris and Lambert: Fitzmorris polled 280,760 votes; Lambert, 283,266. Lambert hence got into the general election by a margin of some 2,300 votes greater than what Fitzmorris had received.