Changes

[[Tedford Williamson]] (half-brother)

[[Tedford Williamson]] (half-brother)

|footnotes='''Notes'''

|footnotes='''Notes'''

*(1) Though his father had been part of the old [[pro-Long]] political faction in Louisiana, Williamson said that he sought to exercise independent judgment without regard to overriding partisan considerations.<br>

*(1) Though his father had been part of the old [[pro-Long]] political faction in Louisiana, Williamson said that he sought to exercise independent judgment without regard to overriding partisan considerations.

*(2) As a state senator, Williamson worked successfully to turn Louisiana State University at [[Shreveport]] into a four-year institution.<br>

*(2) As a state senator, Williamson worked successfully to turn Louisiana State University at [[Shreveport]] into a four-year institution.

*(3) When he first ran for mayor of Shreveport, Williamson had the goal of turning his city into a tourist mecca comparable to [[Branson]], [[Missouri]].<br>

*(3) When he first ran for mayor of Shreveport, Williamson had the goal of turning his city into a tourist mecca comparable to [[Branson]], [[Missouri]].

*(4) Though their fathers had been political rivals, Williamson in the legislature struck up a close friendship with former legislator Robert Gambrell "Bob" Jones of [[Lake Charles]], the son of Governor [[Sam Houston Jones]].}}

*(4) Though their fathers had been political rivals, Williamson in the legislature struck up a close friendship with former legislator Robert Gambrell "Bob" Jones of [[Lake Charles]], the son of Governor [[Sam Houston Jones]].}}

Williamson won the endorsement of every major newspaper in the state, and he campaigned actively in most of the parishes. Cajun humorist Justin Wilson (1914-2001), whose father, [[Harry D. Wilson]], was a [[Longite]] agriculture commissioner, campaigned for him. Bernard failed to win a majority in the primary, and a general election between the top two Democrats, Bernard and Williamson, was hence held at the same time that Republican [[David C. Treen]] and Democrat Louis Lambert, then a public service commissioner, contested the governorship. [15]

Williamson won the endorsement of every major newspaper in the state, and he campaigned actively in most of the parishes. Cajun humorist Justin Wilson (1914-2001), whose father, [[Harry D. Wilson]], was a [[Longite]] agriculture commissioner, campaigned for him. Bernard failed to win a majority in the primary, and a general election between the top two Democrats, Bernard and Williamson, was hence held at the same time that Republican [[David C. Treen]] and Democrat Louis Lambert, then a public service commissioner, contested the governorship. [15]

Still, Bernard prevailed with 627,247 (50.3 percent) to Williamson's 618,952 (49.7 percent). Williamson ran well in Shreveport, [[Lafayette]], [[Lake Charles]], and[[ Baton Rouge]], but he was annihilated in Orleans Parish, particularly the predominantly black Ninth Ward. Bernard also undoubtedly benefited by his being from the Orleans metro area. Williamson said that he believed that there may have been fraudulent practices in the count in New Orleans but he did not request a recount because it would have cost his campaign another $100,000 if he finished on the short end of a second official tally. [16]

Still, Bernard prevailed with 627,247 (50.3 percent) to Williamson's 618,952 (49.7 percent). Williamson ran well in Shreveport, [[Lafayette]], [[Lake Charles]], and [[Baton Rouge]], but he was annihilated in Orleans Parish, particularly the predominantly black Ninth Ward. Bernard also undoubtedly benefited by his being from the Orleans metro area. Williamson said that he believed that there may have been fraudulent practices in the count in New Orleans but he did not request a recount because it would have cost his campaign another $100,000 if he finished on the short end of a second official tally. [16]

==Running twice for mayor of Shreveport==

==Running twice for mayor of Shreveport==

==References==

==References==

1. Billy Hathorn, "The Williamsons of Caddo Parish: A Political 'Mini-Dynasty," ''[[North Louisiana History]]'', Winter 2008, pp. 25-43; hereinafter cited as NLH.<br>

1. Billy Hathorn, "The Williamsons of Caddo Parish: A Political 'Mini-Dynasty," ''[[North Louisiana History]]'', Winter 2008, pp.&nbsp;25–43; hereinafter cited as NLH.<br>

2. a b NLH, p. 33.<br>

2. a b NLH, p.&nbsp;33.<br>

3. NLH, pp. 33-34.<br>

3. NLH, pp.&nbsp;33–34.<br>

4. NLH, p. 34.<br>

4. NLH, p.&nbsp;34.<br>

5. NLH, pp. 34-35.<br>

5. NLH, pp.&nbsp;34–35.<br>

6. NLH, p. 35.<br>

6. NLH, p.&nbsp;35.<br>

7. State of Louisiana, Election Returns, February 6, 1968.<br>

7. State of Louisiana, Election Returns, February 6, 1968.<br>

8. NLH, pp. 35-36.<br>

8. NLH, pp.&nbsp;35–36.<br>

9. McLeod Lecture Series at McNeese State University in [[Lake Charles]]; Louisiana Public Broadcasting, "The Young Turks"; NLH, p. 36.<br>

9. McLeod Lecture Series at McNeese State University in [[Lake Charles]]; Louisiana Public Broadcasting, "The Young Turks"; NLH, p.&nbsp;36.<br>

10. NLH, pp. 36-37.<br>

10. NLH, pp.&nbsp;36–37.<br>

11. a b c NLH, p. 37.<br>

11. a b c NLH, p.&nbsp;37.<br>

12. NLH, pp. 37-38.<br>

12. NLH, pp.&nbsp;37–38.<br>

13. [[Buddy Roemer]] was a Democrat while in Congress from 1981 to 1998. He switched to the Republicans in 1991 during his one term as governor and was then edged out of a gubernatorial runoff spot by [[David Duke]], who promptly lost to [[Edwin Edwards]].<br>

13. [[Buddy Roemer]] was a Democrat while in Congress from 1981 to 1998. He switched to the Republicans in 1991 during his one term as governor and was then edged out of a gubernatorial runoff spot by [[David Duke]], who promptly lost to [[Edwin Edwards]].<br>

14. NLH, pp. 38-39.<br>

14. NLH, pp.&nbsp;38–39.<br>

15. NLH, p. 38.<br>

15. NLH, p.&nbsp;38.<br>

16. a b NLH, p. 39.<br>

16. a b NLH, p.&nbsp;39.<br>

17. NLH, pp. 39-40.<br>

17. NLH, pp.&nbsp;39–40.<br>

18. NLH, pp. 26-33.<br>

18. NLH, pp.&nbsp;26–33.<br>

19. James Williamson obituary, ''The Shreveport Times,'' November 17, 2008.<br>

19. James Williamson obituary, ''The Shreveport Times,'' November 17, 2008.<br>

20. NLH, pp. 40-42.<br>

20. NLH, pp.&nbsp;40–42.<br>

21. NLH, pp. 40-41.

21. NLH, pp.&nbsp;40–41.

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