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→1978 congressional primary
==1978 congressional primary==
==1978 congressional primary==
Wilson switched parties to run for Congress: "I have never voted for a Democrat for President, and the only way for the Republican Party to grow is for Democrats to switch over."[1] He quickly emerged as the leading Republican candidate in the new Louisiana nonpartisan blanket primary format to choose a successor to retiring Democratic Representative [[Joe Waggonner]] of Plain Dealing. Wilson did not switch parties until after Waggonner declared that he would not seek reelection. The Republican leadership, under state chairman [[George Despot]] of Shreveport, considered endorsing either state Representatives [[Art Sour|Arthur William "Art" Sour, Jr.]], of [[Shreveport]], or Bruce Lynn, or a younger prospect, Bossier City council member Chester J. "Buzz" Wojecki. The party finally decided in caucus to anoint Wilson as the candidate most electable in the historically Democratic district.
Wilson switched parties to run for Congress: "I have never voted for a Democrat for President, and the only way for the Republican Party to grow is for Democrats to switch over."[1] He quickly emerged as the leading Republican candidate in the new Louisiana nonpartisan blanket primary format to choose a successor to retiring Democratic Representative [[Joe Waggonner]] of Plain Dealing. Wilson did not switch parties until after Waggonner declared that he would not seek reelection. The Republican leadership, under state chairman [[George Despot]] of Shreveport, considered endorsing either state Representatives [[Art Sour|Arthur William "Art" Sour, Jr.]], of [[Shreveport]], or Bruce Lynn, or a younger prospect, Bossier City council member Chester Anthony "Buzz" Wojecki, Jr. (1948-2024). The party finally decided in caucus to anoint Wilson as the candidate most electable in the historically Democratic district.
Several leading Democrats entered the field, including banker/businessmanand later [[Governor]] [[Buddy Roemer]], state Representative [[Buddy Leach|Claude Anthony "Buddy" Leach, Jr.]], of Leesville, state Representative and former FBI agent [[Loy Weaver]] of Homer in Claiborne Parish, and [[Rogers M. Prestridge]], the municipal judge of Bossier City.
Several leading Democrats entered the field, including banker/businessmanand later [[Governor]] [[Buddy Roemer]], state Representative [[Buddy Leach|Claude Anthony "Buddy" Leach, Jr.]], of Leesville, state Representative and former FBI agent [[Loy Weaver]] of Homer in Claiborne Parish, and [[Rogers M. Prestridge]], the municipal judge of Bossier City.