Bob Odom
Encyclopedia
Robert Fulton "Bob" Odom (born July 20, 1935) is the former Democratic
Commissioner of Agriculture
and Forestry
in the U.S. state
of Louisiana
, who served from 1980-2008. Now in the private sector, Odom operates a consulting company to work with farmers on a statewide and national basis. He offers input on farm legislation before the United States Congress
. He resides with his family in Zachary
in East Baton Rouge Parish
.
and dairy
farm of some one thousand acre
s in Haynesville
, a small town in rural Claiborne Parish
near the Arkansas
state line. He still owns a 600 acres (2.4 km²) farm in Claiborne Parish.
Odom procured a Bachelor of Science
degree from Southeastern Louisiana University
in Hammond
east of Baton Rouge. In 1960, he was first employed by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Prior to his election as commissioner, Odom became the chief of the pesticide
division, executive assistant to Commissioner Dave L. Pearce
, and director of technical services.
Odom served in the United States Marines
and was stationed as a company commander in Okinawa, Japan
. He graduated from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and is a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve. He serves on various boards and commissions, such as the Louisiana Cattle
man's Association, East Baton Rouge Parish and Louisiana Farm Bureau
, the World Trade Center of New Orleans, and Louisiana Environmental Health Association.
Odom is married to the former Millie Randolph. They have two children, Robb and Ashley, and four grandchildren. He is a member of the First Baptist
Church of Zachary. In his leisure, Odom enjoys hunting
, fishing
and woodworking
.
narrowly defeated Democrat Louis J. Lambert, Jr.
, of Baton Rouge
. Odom took office in 1980. Thereafter, Odom rarely attracted serious opposition, as he consolidated his hold on the agriculture department. He won re-election in 1983, 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003. In the 1991 contest, he defeated Republican Don Johnson and fellow Democrat Jack Keahey
of Columbia
, thereafter a member and president of the Tensas Basin Levee District. Odom is hence one of the longest-serving elected officials in Louisiana.
and money laundering
. A state judge dismissed all remaining charges in 2007, but prosecutors have appealed that ruling and asked that the case be reinstated. Odom even quarreled with Governor
Kathleen Blanco
and state Treasurer
John Neely Kennedy, a Democrat-turned-Republican who was unopposed in the 2007 primary. Like Odom, Dozier was also engulfed in scandal. So was Dozier's predecessor, fellow Democrat Dave Pearce, who served from 1952–1956, and again from 1960-1976. Ironically, Odom had been a key aide to Pearce, and both were born in Claiborne Parish. Pearce ran unsuccessfully in the 1979 primary against both Dozier and Odom.
Michael G. Strain
, a veterinarian
, a dairy farmer and an outgoing member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from St. Tammany Parish in the New Orleans suburbs.
In the October 20, jungle primary
, Odom led Strain, 505,466 (41 percent) to 494,726 (40 percent). Two other candidates, Republicans Wayne Carter, a conservative member of the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro council from Odom's own Zachary, and Don Johnson, a farmer from Transylvania
in East Carroll Parish, trailed with 152,872 (13 percent) and 69,469 (6 percent), respectively. The total Republican vote hence totaled 59 percent. Perennial candidate Johnson had also run against Odom in 1987, 1991, 1995 and 2003.
Odom attributed his weaker-than-usual showing to the failure of many African American
voters, who had backed him in the past by large margins, to cast ballots in the primary.
Less than a week later, Odom announced that he would not contest the general election. Therefore, Strain was declared the winner of the election and will assume office on January 12, 2008.
Clifford M. Hardin
cited Odom for "outstanding service" to agriculture. In 1976, the Louisiana State Legislature
by concurrent resolution
commended Odom for his services to the department. In 1982, he was awarded the designation of "Honorary American Farmer" by the Future Farmers of America. In 1995, the year of his fourth-term reelection, Odom was named "Outstanding Agriculture Commissioner of the Year" by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, which represents nearly six hundred biotechnology companies and academic institutions. In 1996, Odom received the "Man of the Year" award from Progressive Farmer
magazine
.
When Odom announced his exit from the general election campaign, Ray Young, a farmer and agriculture consultant from Wisner
in Franklin Parish in northeastern Louisiana, introduced him by saying, "Bob Odom is the best Agriculture and Forestry commissioner Louisiana has ever had."
Odom's supporters held a retirement celebration in Baton Rouge in his honor on November 29, 2007. Interested persons were urged to contribute to the "Bob Odom Retirement Fund". Odom had a campaign debt at the time of approximately $125,000. Conservative radio
talk show
host Moon Griffon
of Monroe
told listeners on November 21, that Odom will receive a retirement check of some $85,000 per year from the State of Louisiana.
In 2008, Odom was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame
in Winnfield
.
Threshold > 50%
First ballot, October 24, 1987
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, 1991
Threshold > 50%
First ballot, October 19, 1991
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, 1995
Threshold > 50%
First ballot, October 21, 1995
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, 1999
Threshold > 50%
First ballot, October 23, 1999
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, 2003
Threshold > 50%
First ballot, October 4, 2003
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, 2007
Threshold > 50%
First ballot, October 20, 2007
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Commissioner of Agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and Forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, who served from 1980-2008. Now in the private sector, Odom operates a consulting company to work with farmers on a statewide and national basis. He offers input on farm legislation before the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
. He resides with his family in Zachary
Zachary, Louisiana
Zachary is a city in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, United States, in the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 11,275 at the 2000 census.-History:...
in East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana
East Baton Rouge Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Baton Rouge, Louisiana's state capital. As of the 2010 census, the population was 440,171. The parish has a total area of , of which is land and is water. It is the most populous parish in the state...
.
Background
Odom grew up on a cottonCotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
and dairy
Dairy
A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting of animal milk—mostly from cows or goats, but also from buffalo, sheep, horses or camels —for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on a dedicated dairy farm or section of a multi-purpose farm that is concerned...
farm of some one thousand acre
Acre
The acre is a unit of area in a number of different systems, including the imperial and U.S. customary systems. The most commonly used acres today are the international acre and, in the United States, the survey acre. The most common use of the acre is to measure tracts of land.The acre is related...
s in Haynesville
Haynesville, Louisiana
Haynesville is a town in northern Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, United States, located just south of the Arkansas border. The population was 2,679 at the 2000 census....
, a small town in rural Claiborne Parish
Claiborne Parish, Louisiana
Claiborne Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Homer and as of 2000, the population is 16,851.-History:The parish is named for the first Louisiana governor, William C. C. Claiborne....
near the Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
state line. He still owns a 600 acres (2.4 km²) farm in Claiborne Parish.
Odom procured a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree from Southeastern Louisiana University
Southeastern Louisiana University
Southeastern Louisiana University is a state-funded public university in Hammond, Louisiana, United States. It was founded in 1925 by Linus A. Sims, the principal of Hammond High School, as Hammond Junior College, located in a wing of the high school building. Sims succeeded in getting the campus...
in Hammond
Hammond, Louisiana
Hammond is the largest city in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 20,049 at the 2009 census. It is home to Southeastern Louisiana University...
east of Baton Rouge. In 1960, he was first employed by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Prior to his election as commissioner, Odom became the chief of the pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticides are substances or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.A pesticide may be a chemical unicycle, biological agent , antimicrobial, disinfectant or device used against any pest...
division, executive assistant to Commissioner Dave L. Pearce
Dave L. Pearce
David L. "Dave" Pearce was a Democrat who served as the Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry from 1952–1956 and again from 1960-1976...
, and director of technical services.
Odom served in the United States Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and was stationed as a company commander in Okinawa, Japan
Okinawa Prefecture
is one of Japan's southern prefectures. It consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island...
. He graduated from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and is a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve. He serves on various boards and commissions, such as the Louisiana Cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
man's Association, East Baton Rouge Parish and Louisiana Farm Bureau
American Farm Bureau Federation
The American Farm Bureau Federation , commonly referred to as the Farm Bureau, is a nonprofit organization and the largest general farm organization in the United States...
, the World Trade Center of New Orleans, and Louisiana Environmental Health Association.
Odom is married to the former Millie Randolph. They have two children, Robb and Ashley, and four grandchildren. He is a member of the First Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Church of Zachary. In his leisure, Odom enjoys hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
and woodworking
Woodworking
Woodworking is the process of building, making or carving something using wood.-History:Along with stone, mud, and animal parts, wood was one of the first materials worked by early humans. Microwear analysis of the Mousterian stone tools used by the Neanderthals show that many were used to work wood...
.
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry
Odom first ran as a reformer for Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry in 1979 and easily unseated fellow Democrat Gilbert L. "Gil" Dozier (born 1934). This was the same general election in which Republican gubernatorial candidate David C. TreenDavid C. Treen
David Conner "Dave" Treen, Sr. , was an American attorney and politician from Mandeville, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana – the first Republican Governor of the U.S. state of Louisiana since Reconstruction. He was the first Republican in modern times to have served in the U.S...
narrowly defeated Democrat Louis J. Lambert, Jr.
Louis Lambert
Louis Joseph Lambert, Jr. , is a Louisiana attorney, businessman, former member and chairman of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, and a former Louisiana state senator....
, of Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
. Odom took office in 1980. Thereafter, Odom rarely attracted serious opposition, as he consolidated his hold on the agriculture department. He won re-election in 1983, 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003. In the 1991 contest, he defeated Republican Don Johnson and fellow Democrat Jack Keahey
Jack Keahey
Jack Lynn Keahey, Jr. , was a businessman, boat builder, welder, mechanic, politician, and civic leader in Columbia, the seat of Caldwell Parish, in northeastern Louisiana. He was best known as the president of the Tensas Basin Levee Board...
of Columbia
Columbia, Louisiana
Columbia is a town in and the parish seat of Caldwell Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 477 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Columbia is located at ....
, thereafter a member and president of the Tensas Basin Levee District. Odom is hence one of the longest-serving elected officials in Louisiana.
Controversy
In the past several years, however, Odom encountered much controversy in a series of personal allegations which erupted in connection with his duties as commissioner. Odom has fought criminal corruption charges since August 2002, when he was indicted on twenty-one counts, including briberyBribery
Bribery, a form of corruption, is an act implying money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or...
and money laundering
Money laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
. A state judge dismissed all remaining charges in 2007, but prosecutors have appealed that ruling and asked that the case be reinstated. Odom even quarreled with Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Kathleen Blanco
Kathleen Blanco
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco was the 54th Governor of Louisiana, having served from January 2004 until January 2008. She was the first woman to be elected to the office of governor of Louisiana....
and state Treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
John Neely Kennedy, a Democrat-turned-Republican who was unopposed in the 2007 primary. Like Odom, Dozier was also engulfed in scandal. So was Dozier's predecessor, fellow Democrat Dave Pearce, who served from 1952–1956, and again from 1960-1976. Ironically, Odom had been a key aide to Pearce, and both were born in Claiborne Parish. Pearce ran unsuccessfully in the 1979 primary against both Dozier and Odom.
2007 election
Odom ran for an eight consecutive four-year term in 2007. His most serious rival was RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Michael G. Strain
Michael G. Strain
Michael Gene Strain, known as Mike Strain , is the first Republican ever elected to the position of Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry.A former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Covington in St...
, a veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
, a dairy farmer and an outgoing member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from St. Tammany Parish in the New Orleans suburbs.
In the October 20, jungle primary
Jungle primary
A nonpartisan blanket primary is a primary election in which all candidates for elected office run in the same primary regardless of political party. Under this system, the top two candidates who receive the most votes advance to the next round, as in a runoff election...
, Odom led Strain, 505,466 (41 percent) to 494,726 (40 percent). Two other candidates, Republicans Wayne Carter, a conservative member of the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro council from Odom's own Zachary, and Don Johnson, a farmer from Transylvania
Transylvania, Louisiana
Transylvania is an unincorporated community located mostly in East Carroll Parish, Louisiana. As of the 2000 census, the population of Transylvania is 743.-Geography:...
in East Carroll Parish, trailed with 152,872 (13 percent) and 69,469 (6 percent), respectively. The total Republican vote hence totaled 59 percent. Perennial candidate Johnson had also run against Odom in 1987, 1991, 1995 and 2003.
Odom attributed his weaker-than-usual showing to the failure of many African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
voters, who had backed him in the past by large margins, to cast ballots in the primary.
Less than a week later, Odom announced that he would not contest the general election. Therefore, Strain was declared the winner of the election and will assume office on January 12, 2008.
Agricultural awards
Odom has won a plethora of awards in agriculture. In 1970, United States Secretary of AgricultureUnited States Secretary of Agriculture
The United States Secretary of Agriculture is the head of the United States Department of Agriculture. The current secretary is Tom Vilsack, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on 20 January 2009. The position carries similar responsibilities to those of agriculture ministers in other...
Clifford M. Hardin
Clifford M. Hardin
Clifford Morris Hardin served as United States Secretary of Agriculture from 1969 to 1971.Hardin was born near Knightstown, Indiana, to J. Alvin Hardin and Mabel Hardin. He earned a B.S. , an M.S. and a Ph.D...
cited Odom for "outstanding service" to agriculture. In 1976, the Louisiana State Legislature
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
by concurrent resolution
Concurrent resolution
A concurrent resolution is a resolution adopted by both houses of a bicameral legislature that lacks the force of law and does not require the approval of the chief executive.-United States Congress:...
commended Odom for his services to the department. In 1982, he was awarded the designation of "Honorary American Farmer" by the Future Farmers of America. In 1995, the year of his fourth-term reelection, Odom was named "Outstanding Agriculture Commissioner of the Year" by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, which represents nearly six hundred biotechnology companies and academic institutions. In 1996, Odom received the "Man of the Year" award from Progressive Farmer
Progressive Farmer
DTN/The Progressive Farmer is a country life oriented magazine, published twelve times a year by DTN, a division of Telvent. The magazine is based in Birmingham, Alabama.-History:...
magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
.
When Odom announced his exit from the general election campaign, Ray Young, a farmer and agriculture consultant from Wisner
Wisner, Louisiana
Wisner is a town in Franklin Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,140 at the 2000 census.-History:Wisner was home to world's first international plow race in 1946, a light-hearted competition intended to engender a spirit of peace in the wake of World War II.-Geography:Wisner is...
in Franklin Parish in northeastern Louisiana, introduced him by saying, "Bob Odom is the best Agriculture and Forestry commissioner Louisiana has ever had."
Odom's supporters held a retirement celebration in Baton Rouge in his honor on November 29, 2007. Interested persons were urged to contribute to the "Bob Odom Retirement Fund". Odom had a campaign debt at the time of approximately $125,000. Conservative radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
talk show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
host Moon Griffon
Moon Griffon
Blane M. Griffon, known as Moon Griffon is a conservative radio talk show host who broadcasts statewide through station KMLB FM in Monroe, the seat of Ouachita Parish in northeastern Louisiana. He has sometimes been called the "Rush Limbaugh of Louisiana" though his program reflects his distinct...
of Monroe
Monroe, Louisiana
Monroe is a city in and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,107, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana. A July 1, 2007, United States Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 51,208, but 51,636...
told listeners on November 21, that Odom will receive a retirement check of some $85,000 per year from the State of Louisiana.
In 2008, Odom was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame
Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame
The Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield, Louisiana, highlights the careers of more than a hundred of the state’s leading politicians and political journalists. Because three governors, Huey P. Long, Jr., Oscar K...
in Winnfield
Winnfield, Louisiana
Winnfield is a city in and the parish seat of Winn Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 5,749 at the 2000 census. It has long been associated with the Long faction of the Louisiana Democratic Party and was home to three governors of Louisiana.-Geography:Winnfield is located at ...
.
Electoral history
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, 1987Threshold > 50%
First ballot, October 24, 1987
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Bob Odom | Democratic | 993,869 (73%) | Elected |
| Don Johnson | Republican | 190,502 (14%) | Defeated |
| Others | n/a | 168,301 (13%) | Defeated |
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, 1991
Threshold > 50%
First ballot, October 19, 1991
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Bob Odom | Democratic | 824,167 (60%) | Elected |
| Don Johnson | Republican | 199,688 (15%) | Defeated |
| Others | n/a | 353,078 (25%) | Defeated |
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, 1995
Threshold > 50%
First ballot, October 21, 1995
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Bob Odom | Democratic | 980,909 (74%) | Elected |
| Don Johnson | Republican | 272,349 (21%) | Defeated |
| Buster Fresina | Democratic | 71,829 (5%) | Defeated |
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, 1999
Threshold > 50%
First ballot, October 23, 1999
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Bob Odom | Democratic | Unopposed | Elected |
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, 2003
Threshold > 50%
First ballot, October 4, 2003
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Bob Odom | Democratic | 822,682 (66%) | Elected |
| Don Johnson | Republican | 430,856 (34%) | Defeated |
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, 2007
Threshold > 50%
First ballot, October 20, 2007
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Bob Odom | Democratic | 505,504 (41%) | Runoff |
| Mike Strain | Republican | 494,760 (40%) | Runoff |
| Wayne Carter | Republican | 152,893 (13%) | Defeated |
| Don Johnson | Republican | 69,470 (6%) | Defeated |