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In 1948, when other Southern Democrats defected to the [[Dixiecrat]] presidential campaign of [[Strom Thurmond]], Ellender remained loyal to [[Harry S. Truman]].  Although Thurmond was the official Democratic nominee in Louisiana, Truman's name was also added to the ballot by a special session of the state legislature.

In 1948, when other Southern Democrats defected to the [[Dixiecrat]] presidential campaign of [[Strom Thurmond]], Ellender remained loyal to [[Harry S. Truman]].  Although Thurmond was the official Democratic nominee in Louisiana, Truman's name was also added to the ballot by a special session of the state legislature.

In 1960, Ellender polled some 80 percent of the ballots cast in the [[general election]] against Republican [[George Reese]] of New Orleans. In 1966, he overwhelmed two Democrats, Joseph Davis "J. D." DeBlieu (1912–2005), on the left, and [[Troyce Guice]], from the right.

In 1960, Ellender polled some 80 percent of the ballots cast in the [[general election]] against Republican [[George Reese]] of New Orleans.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=59823 LA US Senate]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved April 21, 2021.</ref> In 1966, he overwhelmed two Democrats, Joseph Davis "J. D." DeBlieu (1912–2005), on the left, and [[Troyce Guice]], from the right.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=445502 LA US Senate - D Primary]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved April 21, 2021.</ref>

Ellender served in the upper house of Congress from 1937 until his death in the summer of 1972.<ref>Fried, Joseph P. (July 28, 1972). [https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/28/archives/allen-j-ellender-of-louisiana-dies-senate-president-pro-tem-held.html ALLEN J.ELLENDER OF LOUISIANA DIES]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved April 21, 2021.</ref> At the time he was campaigning for yet another term in the Senate. Ellender was succeeded by interim Senator [[Elaine Edwards]], the first wife of then Governor [[Edwin Edwards]]. His permanent successor was his chief primary rival in 1972, former state Senator [[J. Bennett Johnston, Jr.]], of [[Shreveport]], who held the U.S. Senate seat until his retirement in January 1997. Johnston had also been Edwin Edwards' rival for the 1971 Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

Ellender served in the upper house of Congress from 1937 until his death in the summer of 1972.<ref>Fried, Joseph P. (July 28, 1972). [https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/28/archives/allen-j-ellender-of-louisiana-dies-senate-president-pro-tem-held.html ALLEN J.ELLENDER OF LOUISIANA DIES]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved April 21, 2021.</ref> At the time he was campaigning for yet another term in the Senate. Ellender was succeeded by interim Senator [[Elaine Edwards]], the first wife of then Governor [[Edwin Edwards]]. His permanent successor was his chief primary rival in 1972, former state Senator [[J. Bennett Johnston, Jr.]], of [[Shreveport]], who held the U.S. Senate seat until his retirement in January 1997. Johnston had also been Edwin Edwards' rival for the 1971 Democratic gubernatorial nomination.