Changes

On November 6, 2018, in the  in nonpartisan blanket primary to fill the remainder of Schedler's term through January 13, 2020, Ardoin received 298,652 votes (20 percent), barely leading the field but advancing to the runoff contest in which he faced [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Gwen Collins-Greenup, an [[African-American]], who finished with 289,070 votes (also 20 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 6, 2018.</ref> In the runoff, held a month later on December 8, Ardoin defeated Collins-Greenup, 306,538 (59 percent) to 210,080 (41 percent), in a turnout of just 17.2 percent of registered voters.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, December 8, 2018.</ref>   

On November 6, 2018, in the  in nonpartisan blanket primary to fill the remainder of Schedler's term through January 13, 2020, Ardoin received 298,652 votes (20 percent), barely leading the field but advancing to the runoff contest in which he faced [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Gwen Collins-Greenup, an [[African-American]], who finished with 289,070 votes (also 20 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 6, 2018.</ref> In the runoff, held a month later on December 8, Ardoin defeated Collins-Greenup, 306,538 (59 percent) to 210,080 (41 percent), in a turnout of just 17.2 percent of registered voters.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, December 8, 2018.</ref>   

In July 2019, Ardoin hired outgoing state Representative Nancy Landry, a [[Moderate Republican]] from [[Lafayette]] to become his chief of staff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/get-access/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenewsstar.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2F2019%2F07%2F17%2Fstate-rep-nancy-landry-resigns-work-secretary-state%2F1756621001%2F|title=State Rep. Nancy Landry resigns to work for Secretary of State|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=July 18, 2019}}</ref>

In July 2019, Ardoin hired outgoing state Representative Nancy Landry, a [[Moderate Republican]] from [[Lafayette]], to become his chief of staff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/get-access/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenewsstar.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2F2019%2F07%2F17%2Fstate-rep-nancy-landry-resigns-work-secretary-state%2F1756621001%2F|title=State Rep. Nancy Landry resigns to work for Secretary of State|publisher=''[[Monroe News Star]]''|date=July 18, 2019}}</ref>

In the primary election for a full term as secretary of state held on October 12, 2019, Ardoin led a four-candidate field with 528,246 (41 percent). Two other Republicans, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, and Amanda "Jennings" Smith, held, respectively, another 244,139 votes (19 percent) and 78,903 (6 percent). Therefore, Ardoin faced his former opponent Gwen Collins-Greenup, who received 434,580 votes (34 percent) in the primary. Nearly two-thirds of primary voters cast ballots for the three Republican candidates. Turnout in the contest was 43.4 percent of registered voters.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 12, 2019.</ref> In his advertising in the primary, Ardoin stressed his support to maintain [[election integrity]].<ref>''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]], October 11, 2019.</ref> With 99 percent of returns tabulated, Ardoin defeated Collins-Greenup, 867,449 to 601,102 votes, again a 59-41 percent split, even as Republican gubernatorial candidate [[Eddie Rispone]] was defeated by incumbent Democrat [[John Bel Edwards]].

In the primary election for a full term as secretary of state held on October 12, 2019, Ardoin led a four-candidate field with 528,246 (41 percent). Two other Republicans, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, and Amanda "Jennings" Smith, held, respectively, another 244,139 votes (19 percent) and 78,903 (6 percent). Therefore, Ardoin faced his former opponent Gwen Collins-Greenup, who received 434,580 votes (34 percent) in the primary. Nearly two-thirds of primary voters cast ballots for the three Republican candidates. Turnout in the contest was 43.4 percent of registered voters.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 12, 2019.</ref> In his advertising in the primary, Ardoin stressed his support to maintain [[election integrity]].<ref>''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]], October 11, 2019.</ref> With 99 percent of returns tabulated, Ardoin defeated Collins-Greenup, 867,449 to 601,102 votes, again a 59-41 percent split, even as Republican gubernatorial candidate [[Eddie Rispone]] was defeated by incumbent Democrat [[John Bel Edwards]].