Changes

Odom first ran as a reformer for Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry in 1979 and easily unseated fellow Democrat Gil Dozier. This was the same general election in which Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Representative [[David C. Treen]] of Louisiana's 3rd congressional district narrowly defeated the Democrat, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner [[Louis Lambert|Louis J. Lambert, Jr.]] A Republican candidate for agriculture commissioner, Leland George Rawls (born August 9, 1950), a farmer from Bastrop, assistant treasurer of the Louisiana Republican State Central Committee, and a Treen supporter, used a gimmick to attract attention. Rawls carried a hoe during his campaign appearances and promised to "promote, protect, and advance the Agriculture Department." He polled only 67,000 votes statewide.[6]

Odom first ran as a reformer for Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry in 1979 and easily unseated fellow Democrat Gil Dozier. This was the same general election in which Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Representative [[David C. Treen]] of Louisiana's 3rd congressional district narrowly defeated the Democrat, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner [[Louis Lambert|Louis J. Lambert, Jr.]] A Republican candidate for agriculture commissioner, Leland George Rawls (born August 9, 1950), a farmer from Bastrop, assistant treasurer of the Louisiana Republican State Central Committee, and a Treen supporter, used a gimmick to attract attention. Rawls carried a hoe during his campaign appearances and promised to "promote, protect, and advance the Agriculture Department." He polled only 67,000 votes statewide.[6]

Odom took office on March 10, 1980. Thereafter, he rarely attracted serious opposition and consolidated his hold on the department. He won re-election in 1983, 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003. In the 1991 contest, he defeated Republican Don Johnson and fellow Democrat Jack Keahey of Columbia, thereafter a member and president of the Tensas Basin Levee District. Odom was hence one of the longest-serving elected officials in Louisiana.

Odom took office on March 10, 1980. Thereafter, he rarely attracted serious opposition and consolidated his hold on the department. He won re-election in 1983, 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003. In the 1991 contest, he defeated Republican Don Johnson and fellow Democrat [[Jack Keahey]] of Columbia, thereafter a member and president of the Tensas Basin Levee District. Odom was hence one of the longest-serving elected officials in Louisiana.

Odom was considered one of Louisiana's most powerful elected officials and held major power within the Democratic Party and the state legislature. According to an Odom political ally, State Senator [[Francis C. Thompson]] of Delhi in Richland Parish, the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Odom "had a machine. Everybody wanted Bob Odom's support. He had tentacles in every hamlet in Louisiana."[7] Odom's critics claimed that he ran the department as if it were his own kingdom with much cronyism.[7]

Odom was considered one of Louisiana's most powerful elected officials and held major power within the Democratic Party and the state legislature. According to an Odom political ally, State Senator [[Francis C. Thompson]] of Delhi in Richland Parish, the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Odom "had a machine. Everybody wanted Bob Odom's support. He had tentacles in every hamlet in Louisiana."[7] Odom's critics claimed that he ran the department as if it were his own kingdom with much cronyism.[7]