Block, Upload, Automoderated users, edit, move, protect, rollback
57,799
edits
Changes
no edit summary
Despot noted that his party could not then realistically contest all offices on the ballot: "There are just some [legislative] districts in the state where there is little opportunity for a Republican to get elected." This pick-and-choose approach was not conducive to rapid growth for the GOP but instead contributed to the partisan complexion of the legislature remaining largely unchanged even when Republican [[David C. Treen]] was elected governor in 1979.
Despot noted that his party could not then realistically contest all offices on the ballot: "There are just some [legislative] districts in the state where there is little opportunity for a Republican to get elected." This pick-and-choose approach was not conducive to rapid growth for the GOP but instead contributed to the partisan complexion of the legislature remaining largely unchanged even when Republican [[David C. Treen]] was elected governor in 1979.
==Removal as chairman==
===Removal as chairman===
In 1985, Despot was removed as chairman by a group identified with the "Religious Right," a number of whom had been supporters of former Governor Treen.] though it was unclear whether Treen was involved in the plot against Despot, and Despot's predecessor as chairman, John Hamilton Cade, Jr. (1928-1988), a personal friend of Treen's from [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], was a leader of the anti-Despot forces at the meeting of the Republican State Central Committee.George Despot encountered
In 1985, Despot was removed as chairman by a group identified with the "Religious Right," a number of whom had been supporters of former Governor Treen.] though it was unclear whether Treen was involved in the plot against Despot, and Despot's predecessor as chairman, John Hamilton Cade, Jr. (1928-1988), a personal friend of Treen's from [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], was a leader of the anti-Despot forces at the meeting of the Republican State Central Committee.George Despot encountered
According to Rebecca Despot, an unnamed aide to then [[U.S. Senator]] [[John Breaux]], a Democrat, told her that the outcome of Louisiana elections "right after my father was ousted would have been different had he still been the chairman. I don't think people understand the passion he felt about what he was doing and that he was a man with a mission. They took his mission away, and people will never know what that did to him."<ref name=statement/>
According to Rebecca Despot, an unnamed aide to then [[U.S. Senator]] [[John Breaux]], a Democrat, told her that the outcome of Louisiana elections "right after my father was ousted would have been different had he still been the chairman. I don't think people understand the passion he felt about what he was doing and that he was a man with a mission. They took his mission away, and people will never know what that did to him."<ref name=statement/>
==Republicans access Despot's record==
===Republicans access Despot's record===
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.
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.
Prior to his death, Despot had curtailed much of his local activity because he preferred to concentrate on national and state politics. 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.
Prior to his death, Despot had curtailed much of his local activity because he preferred to concentrate on national and state politics. 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.
==Death and legacy==
Despot was an avid golfer at the East Ridge Country Club and a member of the Shreveport Club. Despot died after 9 p.m. on February 14, 1991, of a blood clot in his lung. He had appeared to have been in good health despite recent minor surgery. "He was fine at five minutes after nine, and then he was gone by 9:25," said Mrs. Despot, the former Pearla Tinsley (born 1928). "He was feeling great and was looking forward to going back to the golf course," she added.
Graveside services were held on February 16, 1991, at Forest Park East Cemetery in Shreveport. In addition to his wife and daughter, Rebecca, Despot was survived by his older daughter, Susan A. Despot, then of Shreveport and later of New Orleans, and two brothers, Gregory A. Despot (August 9, 1928 – May 17, 2007) and Camille C. Despot.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.
Graveside services were held on February 16, 1991, at Forest Park East Cemetery in Shreveport. In addition to his wife and daughter, Rebecca, Despot was survived by his older daughter, Susan A. Despot, then of Shreveport and later of New Orleans, and two brothers, Gregory A. Despot (August 9, 1928 – May 17, 2007) and Camille C. Despot.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.
Despot's Republican Party papers are in the archives section of Louisiana State University in Shreveport.
Despot's Republican Party papers are in the archives section of Louisiana State University in Shreveport.