Changes

In 1980, Republican Clyde Cecil Holloway (1943-2016), a nurseryman also from Forest Hill, challenged Long. Robert Mitchell, the loser in the 1978 race against Long, also ran again. Long prevailed with 75,433 votes (68.9 percent) to Holloway's 27,816 (25.4 percent) and Mitchell's 6,243 (5.7 percent). Holloway had used his candidacy in part to rally opposition to a cross-parish school busing order issued by U.S. District Judge Nauman Scott, based in Alexandria. Holloway would run again for the seat in 1985 in the special election called to select Long's congressional successor and in 1986 to choose Long's more permanent replacement.​

In 1980, Republican Clyde Cecil Holloway (1943-2016), a nurseryman also from Forest Hill, challenged Long. Robert Mitchell, the loser in the 1978 race against Long, also ran again. Long prevailed with 75,433 votes (68.9 percent) to Holloway's 27,816 (25.4 percent) and Mitchell's 6,243 (5.7 percent). Holloway had used his candidacy in part to rally opposition to a cross-parish school busing order issued by U.S. District Judge Nauman Scott, based in Alexandria. Holloway would run again for the seat in 1985 in the special election called to select Long's congressional successor and in 1986 to choose Long's more permanent replacement.​

In 1981, Long opposed the [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan]] tax cuts, citing two objections: (1) The major tax relief rested with families earning more than $50,000 annually, (2) The tax cuts could lead to "staggering deficits." However, forty-eight House Democrats provided the margin of victory for the tax cuts, which Republicans thereafter cited as the centerpiece of the revitalization of a dormant economy.<ref>Margie Dale and Vicky Harris, "Pro and Con of Tax Cut: [[Buddy Roemer]] vs. [[Gillis Long]]," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' July 31, 1981, p. 1.</ref>​

In 1981, Long opposed the [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan]] tax cuts, citing two objections: (1) The major tax relief rested with families earning more than $50,000 annually, (2) The tax cuts could lead to "staggering deficits." However, forty-eight House Democrats provided the margin of victory for the tax cuts, which Republicans thereafter cited as the centerpiece of the revitalization of a dormant economy.<ref>Margie Dale and Vicky Harris, "Pro and Con of Tax Cut: [[Buddy Roemer]] vs. Gillis Long" ''Minden Press-Herald,'' July 31, 1981, p. 1.</ref>​

In 1982, Long defeated Democratic State Senator Edward Gordon "Ned" Randolph, Jr. (1942-2016), of Alexandria, with 71,103 ballots (59.6 percent) to 46,656 (39.1 percent). After the 1982 election, Long expected to become the new chairman of the House Rules Committee; however, [[Claude Pepper]] of [[Florida]] pulled rank and took that chairmanship.<ref>"Congressmen lose bids for power," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' November 22, 1982, p. 1.</ref>​

In 1982, Long defeated Democratic State Senator Edward Gordon "Ned" Randolph, Jr. (1942-2016), of Alexandria, with 71,103 ballots (59.6 percent) to 46,656 (39.1 percent). After the 1982 election, Long expected to become the new chairman of the House Rules Committee; however, [[Claude Pepper]] of [[Florida]] pulled rank and took that chairmanship.<ref>"Congressmen lose bids for power," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' November 22, 1982, p. 1.</ref>​