| − | In 2009, Holloway emerged the plurality leader in a [[special election]] for the Public Service Commission post vacated by the resignation of [[Dale Sittig]] of [[Eunice, Louisiana|Eunice]]. The other candidate in the runoff, which had been scheduled for May 2, Democratic state Senator Joe McPherson, of Woodworth, formerly from [[Pineville, Louisiana|Pineville]], no longer a legislator, dropped out on April 13. Holloway narrowly led a three-candidate field in the special election held on April 4. McPherson had lost the previous regular PSC election to Sittig. Democrat-turned-Republican [[Gil Pinac]], a hospital administrator and a former state representative from Crowley in Acadia Parish, finished a weak third in the April 4 balloting. McPherson explained his concession as an anticipation that most of Pinac's supporters would switch to Holloway and give the Republican an insurmountable lead. Holloway polled 32,258 votes (43.5 percent) to McPherson's 31,610 (42.63 percent). Pinac trailed with the critical 10,280 ballots (13.86 percent). McPherson's greatest strength was in populous [[Calcasieu Parish]], where he led with 11,178 (50.4 percent) to Holloway's 7,873 (35.5 percent), and Pinac's 3,127 (14.1 percent). Ironically, Holloway's tabulation in Calcasieu – centered on [[Lake Charles, Louisiana|Lake Charles]] – was also his single greatest parish total. Rapides Parish, the home of both candidates, voted in a low turnout: 6,527 for Holloway to 5,327 for McPherson, and 791 for Pinac.<ref>State of Louisiana, Secretary of State, [[Special election]] returns for the [[Louisiana Public Service Commission]], April 4, 2009</ref> | + | In 2009, Holloway emerged the plurality leader in a [[special election]] for the Public Service Commission post vacated by the resignation of [[Dale Sittig]] of [[Eunice, Louisiana|Eunice]]. The other candidate in the runoff, which had been scheduled for May 2, Democratic state Senator Joe McPherson, of Woodworth, formerly from [[Pineville, Louisiana|Pineville]], no longer a legislator, dropped out on April 13. Holloway narrowly led a three-candidate field in the special election held on April 4. McPherson had lost the previous regular PSC election to Sittig. Democrat-turned-Republican [[Gil Pinac]], a hospital administrator and a former state representative from Crowley in Acadia Parish, finished a weak third in the April 4 balloting. McPherson explained his concession as an anticipation that most of Pinac's supporters would switch to Holloway and give the Republican an insurmountable lead. Holloway polled 32,258 votes (43.5 percent) to McPherson's 31,610 (42.63 percent). Pinac trailed with the critical 10,280 ballots (13.86 percent). McPherson's greatest strength was in populous Calcasieu Parish, where he led with 11,178 (50.4 percent) to Holloway's 7,873 (35.5 percent), and Pinac's 3,127 (14.1 percent). Ironically, Holloway's tabulation in Calcasieu – centered on [[Lake Charles]] – was also his single greatest parish total. Rapides Parish, the home of both candidates, voted in a low turnout: 6,527 for Holloway to 5,327 for McPherson, and 791 for Pinac.<ref>State of Louisiana, Secretary of State, [[Special election]] returns for the [[Louisiana Public Service Commission]], April 4, 2009</ref> |
| | As results were still being tabulated, Pinac conceded and endorsed Holloway.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20090405/NEWS01/904050327/-1/NEWSFRONT2|title=Robert Morgan, "Holloway, McPherson go into May PSC runoff"|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|accessdate=April 5, 2009}}</ref> Republican Governor Jindal had raised funds for the Democrat McPherson, but had otherwise been silent on the PSC race.<ref>''The Moon Griffon Show,'' radio broadcast, April 1, 2009.</ref> | | As results were still being tabulated, Pinac conceded and endorsed Holloway.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20090405/NEWS01/904050327/-1/NEWSFRONT2|title=Robert Morgan, "Holloway, McPherson go into May PSC runoff"|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|accessdate=April 5, 2009}}</ref> Republican Governor Jindal had raised funds for the Democrat McPherson, but had otherwise been silent on the PSC race.<ref>''The Moon Griffon Show,'' radio broadcast, April 1, 2009.</ref> |