Changes

In 2023, Schexnayder, who was term-limited in the House, ran for secretary of state, a position which handles state elections which was vacated by the retiring [[Kyle Ardoin]]. He finished in fourth place with 15 percent of the ballots cast. Set to contest the position in a runoff election are Ardoin's executive assistant [[Nancy Landry]], a former state representative, and the African-American Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup, both of whom polled 19 percent in the primary. Collins-Greenup had lost the election in 2019 to Ardoin. Eliminated was the third-placed candidate, Public Service Commissioner and former state Republican Party chairman [[Mike Francis]], and the fifth-placed [[Arthur Morrell]], the African-American elected criminal clerk of the Orleans Parish Court. Another Republican candidate, conservative Brandon Trosclair, who accented the need to enhance election integrity to avoid pitfalls that developed in the swing states in the 2020 presidential election, polled only 6 percent of the ballots cast.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 24, 2023.</ref>

In 2023, Schexnayder, who was term-limited in the House, ran for secretary of state, a position which handles state elections which was vacated by the retiring [[Kyle Ardoin]]. He finished in fourth place with 15 percent of the ballots cast. Set to contest the position in a runoff election are Ardoin's executive assistant [[Nancy Landry]], a former state representative, and the African-American Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup, both of whom polled 19 percent in the primary. Collins-Greenup had lost the election in 2019 to Ardoin. Eliminated was the third-placed candidate, Public Service Commissioner and former state Republican Party chairman [[Mike Francis]], and the fifth-placed [[Arthur Morrell]], the African-American elected criminal clerk of the Orleans Parish Court. Another Republican candidate, conservative Brandon Trosclair, who accented the need to enhance election integrity to avoid pitfalls that developed in the swing states in the 2020 presidential election, polled only 6 percent of the ballots cast.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 24, 2023.</ref>

====Missing artifact case==

==Missing artifact case==

On November 17, 2025, Schexnayder was arrested and charged with felony theft and malfeasance in office in connection with a missing ancient cypress artifact in the State Capitol. Online records from the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail show that he was released after posting bail in the amount of $10,000. The cypress board in question measures 20 feet by 6 feet. It was last seen at Schexnayder’s legislative office in Gonzales. The board, which may date back to the 8th century A.D., was harvested from the Maurepas Swamp. The wood was left behind when Schexnayder moved out of the office in 2024, having reached his term limit in the legislature. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://lailluminator.com/briefs/schexnayder-cypress/|title=Former Louisiana House speaker arrested for alleged cypress relic theft

On November 17, 2025, Schexnayder was arrested and charged with felony theft and malfeasance in office in connection with a missing ancient cypress artifact in the State Capitol. Online records from the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail show that he was released after posting bail in the amount of $10,000. The cypress board in question measures 20 feet by 6 feet. It was last seen at Schexnayder’s legislative office in Gonzales. The board, which may date back to the 8th century A.D., was harvested from the Maurepas Swamp. The wood was left behind when Schexnayder moved out of the office in 2024, having reached his term limit in the legislature. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://lailluminator.com/briefs/schexnayder-cypress/|title=Former Louisiana House speaker arrested for alleged cypress relic theft

|author=Greg Larose|publisher=lailluminator.com|date=November 17, 2025|accessdate November 20, 2025}}</ref>

|author=Greg Larose|publisher=lailluminator.com|date=November 17, 2025|accessdate November 20, 2025}}</ref>