Changes

It was in the 2002 race to succeed Cooksey, who ran unsuccessfully that year for the [[United States Senate]], that Fletcher lost to Rodney Alexander. Fletcher first edged out Clyde Holloway for the general election berth against Alexander. Also in the running was another major Republican candidate, then state Senator [[Robert J. Barham]] of Oak Ridge in Morehouse Parish.​ Alexander led in the primary with 52,952 votes (29 percent). Fletcher followed with 45,278 (25 percent). Holloway polled 42,573 votes (23 percent), and Barham received 34,533 votes (19 percent). Three others divided the remaining but potentially crucial 5 percent of the primary ballots.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, General election returns, November 5, 2002.</ref>​

It was in the 2002 race to succeed Cooksey, who ran unsuccessfully that year for the [[United States Senate]], that Fletcher lost to Rodney Alexander. Fletcher first edged out Clyde Holloway for the general election berth against Alexander. Also in the running was another major Republican candidate, then state Senator [[Robert J. Barham]] of Oak Ridge in Morehouse Parish.​ Alexander led in the primary with 52,952 votes (29 percent). Fletcher followed with 45,278 (25 percent). Holloway polled 42,573 votes (23 percent), and Barham received 34,533 votes (19 percent). Three others divided the remaining but potentially crucial 5 percent of the primary ballots.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, General election returns, November 5, 2002.</ref>​

Holloway hence fell 2,705 votes short of entering the second round of balloting with Alexander. Though he was a longtime Republican who later in life was a member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, Holloway endorsed the then Democrat Alexander ovethe more [[conservative]] Fletcher. Holloway's aberration was a reaction to the hard campaigning waged against him by Fletcher in the primary. Critics claim that Holloway was furious over negative, anonymous automated telephone calls. Not only did Holloway refuse to endorse fellow Republican Fletcher, but numerous Republican groups in the 5th congressional district also backed the then-Democrat Alexander in the general election. The final outcome seemed to indicate that Holloway's endorsement and the support of such Republican activist groups contributed considerably to Alexander's narrow margin of victory.<ref>Undated 2002 article from the ''[[The Alexandria Town Talk]].''</ref> In 2004, Congressman Alexander switched to Republican affiliation with widespread support from district Republican leaders. That year, he handily defeated fellow Republican [[Jock Scott]] of [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] in the nonpartisan blanket primary.​

Holloway hence fell 2,705 votes short of entering the second round of balloting with Alexander. Though he was a longtime Republican who later in life was a member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, Holloway endorsed the then Democrat Alexander ovethe more [[conservative]] Fletcher. Holloway's aberration was a reaction to the hard campaigning waged against him by Fletcher in the primary. Critics claim that Holloway was furious over negative, anonymous automated telephone calls. Not only did Holloway refuse to endorse fellow Republican Fletcher, but numerous Republican groups in the 5th congressional district also backed the then-Democrat Alexander in the general election. The final outcome seemed to indicate that Holloway's endorsement and the support of such Republican activist groups contributed considerably to Alexander's narrow margin of victory.<ref>Undated 2002 article from the ''The Alexandria Town Talk.''</ref> In 2004, Congressman Alexander switched to Republican affiliation with widespread support from district Republican leaders. That year, he handily defeated fellow Republican [[Jock Scott]] of [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] in the nonpartisan blanket primary.​

In 2006, Alexander supported the appointment of Holloway to a high position in the [[United States Department of Agriculture]]. The selection required the approval of President [[George W. Bush]], who had supported Fletcher in the general election against Alexander. In a 2003 interview with [[James H. "Jim" Brown]], the former Louisiana state senator, secretary of state, and insurance commissioner, Fletcher said that he did not have "a problem" with Holloway despite the disappointment to both in the 2002 congressional race.<ref>Jim Brown interview with Lee Fletcher, Politicsla.com, January 14, 2003.</ref>

In 2006, Alexander supported the appointment of Holloway to a high position in the [[United States Department of Agriculture]]. The selection required the approval of President [[George W. Bush]], who had supported Fletcher in the general election against Alexander. In a 2003 interview with [[James H. "Jim" Brown]], the former Louisiana state senator, secretary of state, and insurance commissioner, Fletcher said that he did not have "a problem" with Holloway despite the disappointment to both in the 2002 congressional race.<ref>Jim Brown interview with Lee Fletcher, Politicsla.com, January 14, 2003.</ref>