Changes

==Pearce's defeats in 1975 and 1979==

==Pearce's defeats in 1975 and 1979==

IOn November 1,  1975, Pearce was unseated in the nonpartisan blanket primary by Gil Dozier of Baton Rouge. Dozier led the balloting with 42 percent; Pearce trailed with 30 percent and decided not to pursue a [[general election]]  contest with Dozier, who therefore won the position outright. Allegations of bribery, [[perjury]], and [[extortion]] in connection with his job duties worked to sink Pearce's career. A third candidate in the field was the outgoing state Representative [[Lantz Womack]] of Winnsboro in Franklin Parish, who like Pearce had West Carroll Parish roots.

On November 1,  1975, Pearce was unseated in the nonpartisan blanket primary by Gil Dozier of Baton Rouge. Dozier led the balloting with 42 percent; Pearce trailed with 30 percent and decided not to pursue a [[general election]]  contest with Dozier, who therefore won the position outright. Allegations of bribery, [[perjury]], and [[extortion]] in connection with his job duties worked to sink Pearce's career. A third candidate in the field was the outgoing state Representative [[Lantz Womack]] of Winnsboro in Franklin Parish, who like Pearce had West Carroll Parish roots.

In the 1979 nonpartisan blanket primary, Democratic agr-businessman [[Bob Odom]] of Zachary in East Baton Rouge Parish, who like Pearce was born in Claiborne Parish, had worked in the Agriculture Department in three positions under Pearce and was fired thereafter by Dozier, defeated both Dozier and Pearce.  

In the 1979 nonpartisan blanket primary, Democratic agr-businessman [[Bob Odom]] of Zachary in East Baton Rouge Parish, who like Pearce was born in Claiborne Parish, had worked in the Agriculture Department in three positions under Pearce and was fired thereafter by Dozier, defeated both Dozier and Pearce.  

A young farmer from Bastrop in Morehouse Parish, Leland George Rawls, II (born 1950), a member of the Republican State Central Committee, also ran for the position in the 1979 primary. Rawls carried a hoe during the campaign as a reminder of his promise to "promote, protect, and advance the Agriculture Department."<ref>"Hoe carrying candidate wants top ag post," ''The Ruston Daily Leader,'' September 3, 1979, p. 1.</ref> Rawls finished far behind the three leading Democrat candidates.

A young farmer from Bastrop in Morehouse Parish, Leland George Rawls, II (born 1950), a member of the Republican State Central Committee, also ran for the position in the 1979 primary. Rawls carried a hoe during the campaign as a reminder of his promise to "promote, protect, and advance the Agriculture Department."<ref>"Hoe carrying candidate wants top ag post," ''The Ruston Daily Leader,'' September 3, 1979, p. 1.</ref> Rawls finished far behind the three leading Democrat candidates.

In the primary held on October 27, 1979, Odom led with 563,515 (45.9 percent) to Dozier's 382,486 (31.1 percent). Pearce polled 163,873 (13.4 percent), Rawls 67,021 (5.5 percent), and 50,045 votes (4 percent) went to another minor candidate, Joe Coco. In the general election held on December 8, 1979, Odom defeated Dozier, 853,578 (67.2 percent) to 415,714 (32.8 percent). The general election drew some 43,000 more voters in the agriculture commissioner's race than had the primary. Dozier's percent was practically unchanged from the primary to the general election<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, December 8, 1979.</ref>

In the primary held on October 27, 1979, Odom led with 563,515 (45.9 percent) to Dozier's 382,486 (31.1 percent). Pearce polled 163,873 (13.4 percent), Rawls 67,021 (5.5 percent), and 50,045 votes (4 percent) went to another minor candidate, Joe Coco. In the general election held on December 8, 1979, Odom defeated Dozier, 853,578 (67.2 percent) to 415,714 (32.8 percent). The general election drew some 43,000 more voters in the agriculture commissioner's race than had the primary. Dozier's percent was practically unchanged from the primary to the general election<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, December 8, 1979.</ref>

==The undoing of Dave Pearce==

==The undoing of Dave Pearce==