Changes

Shortly before the beginning of the 2011 special legislative session, Chandler switched to Republican affiliation, a move presumably motivated by the increasing Republican nature of his district. Beginning in 2012, District 22 will encompass all of Grant Parish, most of LaSalle Parish, and parts of Natchitoches, Red River, and Winn parishes. The small portion from northern Rapides Parish has been extracted from District 22.<ref name=reelect>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20110826/NEWS01/108260337/Chandler-seeking-re-election-House-District-22-seat|title=Chandler seeking reelection to House District 22 seat|publisher=''Alexandria Daily Town Talk''|accessdate=August 26, 2011}}</ref>

Shortly before the beginning of the 2011 special legislative session, Chandler switched to Republican affiliation, a move presumably motivated by the increasing Republican nature of his district. Beginning in 2012, District 22 will encompass all of Grant Parish, most of LaSalle Parish, and parts of Natchitoches, Red River, and Winn parishes. The small portion from northern Rapides Parish has been extracted from District 22.<ref name=reelect>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20110826/NEWS01/108260337/Chandler-seeking-re-election-House-District-22-seat|title=Chandler seeking reelection to House District 22 seat|publisher=''Alexandria Daily Town Talk''|accessdate=August 26, 2011}}</ref>

In the general election held on Novemvber 19, 2011, new Republican Billy Chandler was unseated by the Independent Terry Brown. Chandler polled 5,465 votes (47.6 percent) to Brown's 6,015 ballots (52.4 percent). In the primary held on October 22, 2011, Chandler had led a three-candidate field with 5,790 votes (40.8 percent). Brown trailed with 4,724 votes (33.3 percent). Republican James Timothy "Tim" Murphy polled the remaining but critical 3,666 votes (25.9 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10222011/10222011_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana primary election returns, October 22, 2011|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=October 22, 2011}}</ref>Murphy is a Natchitoches businessman who graduated in 1970 from Montgomery High School in Montgomery and thereafter attended Northwestern State University for three years. Murphy called himself "The Real Conservative" in the race, noting that Chandler "switched from a Democrat to a Republican after he saw that the new district would be very conservative. I have a problem with that, and you should too."<ref>Tim Murphy Campaign Site, ''Facebook''</ref>

In the general election held on Novemvber 19, 2011, new Republican Billy Chandler was unseated by the Independent Terry Brown. Chandler polled 5,465 votes (47.6 percent) to Brown's 6,015 ballots (52.4 percent).

Terry Brown will be sworn into the District 22 seat on January 9, 2012. In addition to Chandler, two other north Louisiana Republicans were unseated in the November 19 general election, [[Rick Nowlin]] of Natchitoches and [[Sam Little]] of Bastrop in Morehouse Parish in northeastern Louisiana.

In the primary held on October 22, 2011, Chandler had led a three-candidate field with 5,790 votes (40.8 percent). Brown trailed with 4,724 votes (33.3 percent). Republican James Timothy "Tim" Murphy polled the remaining but critical 3,666 votes (25.9 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10222011/10222011_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana primary election returns, October 22, 2011|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=October 22, 2011}}</ref>

==References==

==References==