Changes

In 1966, Branton entered the race for the Louisiana Public Service Commission held by the appointed [[John S. Hunt]]. In addition to Hunt, others in the race were fellow Representative [[John Sidney Garrett]] of nearby Haynesville in Claiborne Parish and former lawmaker Wellborn Jack, who described himself as one opposed to all kinds of "federal encroachment." Though Branton finished in sixth place, he did receive a plurality in his own Webster Parish.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald," August 15, 1966, p. 1.</ref> In the party runoff on September 24, Hunt prevailed over Garrett.<ref>''[[Minden Press-Herald]],'' September 26, 1966.</ref>

In 1966, Branton entered the race for the Louisiana Public Service Commission held by the appointed [[John S. Hunt]]. In addition to Hunt, others in the race were fellow Representative [[John Sidney Garrett]] of nearby Haynesville in Claiborne Parish and former lawmaker Wellborn Jack, who described himself as one opposed to all kinds of "federal encroachment." Though Branton finished in sixth place, he did receive a plurality in his own Webster Parish.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald," August 15, 1966, p. 1.</ref> In the party runoff on September 24, Hunt prevailed over Garrett.<ref>''[[Minden Press-Herald]],'' September 26, 1966.</ref>

In 1967, Branton faced a stiff renomination fight for state representative. His main opponent, [[Charles McConnell]], a Springhill attorney and former mayor and school board member, carried the support of Governor [[John J. McKeithen]], an easy winner in his own primary for a second term against [[U.S. Representative]] John Robert Rarick of Louisiana's 6th congressional district. The McConnell campaign cited criticism of Branton by the influential State Representative [[Robert Munson]], a moderate Democrat from Rapides Parish and a McKeithen floor leader who in 1966 had said, "If I had represented Rapides Parish like he represents Webster, I couldn't look myself in the face."<ref>McConnell advertisement, ''Minden Press-Herald,'' December 12, 1967, p. 1; cited from ''The Shreveport Times,'' July 8, 1966.</ref>

In 1967, Branton faced a stiff renomination fight for state representative. His main opponent, [[Charles McConnell]], a Springhill attorney and former mayor and school board member, carried the support of Governor [[John J. McKeithen]], an easy winner in his own primary for a second term against conservative [[U.S. Representative]] [[John Rarick]] of Louisiana's 6th congressional district. The McConnell campaign cited criticism of Branton by the influential State Representative [[Robert Munson]], a moderate Democrat from Rapides Parish and a McKeithen floor leader who in 1966 had said, "If I had represented Rapides Parish like he represents Webster, I couldn't look myself in the face."<ref>McConnell advertisement, ''Minden Press-Herald,'' December 12, 1967, p. 1; cited from ''The Shreveport Times,'' July 8, 1966.</ref>

Minden attorney Henry Hobbs, who had lost narrowly to Branton in 1960, was eliminated in the 1967 primary and endorsed McConnell in the runoff campaign. Branton nevertheless prevailed in the runoff held on December 16: 7,619 votes (52.6 percent) to McConnell's 6,857 (47.4 percent).<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' December 18, 1967, p. 1.</ref> From 1968 to 1972, Branton and neighboring Representative John S. Garrett represented a combined Webster and Claiborne Parish district. Garrett was renominated in the first primary and was thereafter tapped by McKeithen to succeed House [[Speaker]] [[Vail M. Delony]] of Lake Providence in East Carroll Parish.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' December 19, 1967, p. 1.</ref>

Minden attorney Henry Hobbs, who had lost narrowly to Branton in 1960, was eliminated in the 1967 primary and endorsed McConnell in the runoff campaign. Branton nevertheless prevailed in the runoff held on December 16: 7,619 votes (52.6 percent) to McConnell's 6,857 (47.4 percent).<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' December 18, 1967, p. 1.</ref> From 1968 to 1972, Branton and neighboring Representative John S. Garrett represented a combined Webster and Claiborne Parish district. Garrett was renominated in the first primary and was thereafter tapped by McKeithen to succeed House [[Speaker]] [[Vail M. Delony]] of Lake Providence in East Carroll Parish.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' December 19, 1967, p. 1.</ref>