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==Republicans access Despot's record==

==Republicans access Despot's record==

Fellow Republicans throughout the state mourned Despot's death. Then chairman [[William A. Nungeser|Wiliam Aicklen "Billy" Nungesser]] of Belle Chasse in Plaquemines Parish, aid that Despot's political savvy, his close relationship with President [[George Herbert Walker Bush]], and his ability to raise campaign funds would be missed by the state GOP.​

Fellow Republicans throughout the state mourned Despot's death. Then chairman [[William A. Nungesser|William Aicklen "Billy" Nungesser]] of Belle Chasse in Plaquemines Parish, aid that Despot's political savvy, his close relationship with President [[George Herbert Walker Bush]], and his ability to raise campaign funds would be missed by the state GOP.

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Then Caddo Republican Chairman Reginald Hargrove said that the party members "all owe him a debt of gratutide." According to Hargrove, Despot had encouraged local GOP factions to mend their differences in preparation for the 1991 state and parish elections and the 1992 national elections. "He had been telling people to go out and work with us," Hargrove added.​

Then Caddo Republican Chairman Reginald Hargrove said that the party members "all owe him a debt of gratutide." According to Hargrove, Despot had encouraged local GOP factions to mend their differences in preparation for the 1991 state and parish elections and the 1992 national elections. "He had been telling people to go out and work with us," Hargrove added.​

The staunchly conservative Nungesser, who himself shocked his party when he endorsed [[Patrick J. Buchanan]] for the 1992 Republican nomination, said that Despot was "strong-willed, and had his own strong ideas, but he always had what was best for Louisiana at heart." Nungesser, who was in the catering business serving ships, was the only state chairman who did not support the first George Bush in the 1992 primaries.​

The staunchly conservative Nungesser, who himself shocked his party when he endorsed [[Patrick J. Buchanan]] for the 1992 Republican nomination, said that Despot was "strong-willed, and had his own strong ideas, but he always had what was best for Louisiana at heart." Nungesser, who was in the catering business serving ships, was the only state chairman who did not support the first George Bush in the 1992 primaries.​

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==Despot's obituary==​

==Death and legacy==​

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Despot was a member of the Shreveport Club and the East Ridge Country Club, and he was an avid golfer.​

Despot was a member of the Shreveport Club and the East Ridge Country Club, and he was an avid golfer.​

Honorary pallbearers included Despot friend George Burton, with whom he had long labored in Republican ranks, U.S. District Judge [[Tom Stagg]]; Shreveport businessman Dalton Woods; and Dr. George A. Belchic, Jr., who with his wife, [[Harriet Belchic]], worked with Despot in Shreveport Republican circles.​

Honorary pallbearers included Despot friend George Burton, with whom he had long labored in Republican ranks, U.S. District Judge [[Tom Stagg]]; Shreveport businessman Dalton Woods; and Dr. George A. Belchic, Jr., who with his wife, [[Harriet Belchic]], worked with Despot in Shreveport Republican circles.​

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Within a month of Despot's death, Democratic Governor [[Buddy Roemer]] switched his allegiance to the Republican Party. Roemer's switch did not unite the feuding wings of the GOP. Because he supported abortion, the right-to-life contingent of the party rejected Roemer and coalesced around Congressman Clyde Cecil Holloway (1943-2016) of [[Rapides Parish]]. But few other Republicans would support Holloway. Holloway did win a preference poll among Republicans attending statewide endorsement caucuses. Also running for governor was the candidate who was anathema to party leaders: State Representative [[David Duke]] of Jefferson Parish]. When all the smoke had cleared, Duke eliminated Roemer from a general election berth, and Edwin Edwards staged a fourth-term victory over the unpopular Duke.​

Within a month of Despot's death, Democratic Governor [[Buddy Roemer]] switched his allegiance to the Republican Party. Roemer's switch did not unite the feuding wings of the GOP. Because he supported abortion, the right-to-life contingent of the party rejected Roemer and coalesced around Congressman Clyde Cecil Holloway (1943-2016) of [[Rapides Parish]]. But few other Republicans would support Holloway. Holloway did win a preference poll among Republicans attending statewide endorsement caucuses. Also running for governor was the candidate who was anathema to party leaders: State Representative [[David Duke]] of Jefferson Parish]. When all the smoke had cleared, Duke eliminated Roemer from a general election berth, and Edwin Edwards staged a fourth-term victory over the unpopular Duke.​

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​==References==

​==References==

{{reflist}}​ ​

{{reflist}}​ ​

*''[[Shreveport Journal]]'' August 23, 1979​.

 

*''[[Shreveport Journal]],'' August 23, 1979​.

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Despot, George}}​

{{DEFAULTSORT:Despot, George}}​