Odom drops out of runoff

Sarah Smith
October 30, 2007
November Dance
November 1, 2007
Sarah Smith
October 30, 2007
November Dance
November 1, 2007

Ending a 28-year run as Louisiana’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Bob Odom dropped out of a runoff election with State Rep. Mike Strain on Thursday, thereby electing Strain and closing the book on a long political career.


Odom was first elected agriculture commissioner in 1979, and was seeking his eighth term in office this year. Usually re-elected by wide margins, Odom faced significant opposition this election cycle due to charges of bribery and public corruption that had been filed against him in cases dating back to 2002.


A state judge dismissed those charges earlier this year. However, prosecutors are still attempting to have the charges reinstated against him.

In the Oct. 20 primary, Odom polled 41 percent of the vote to Strain’s 40 percent, setting up what was expected to be an intense battle for financial and voter support. Many observers commented that Republican Strain had the upper hand in such a scenario based on Governor-elect Bobby Jindal’s showing in the primary and Odom’s weakened status due to the long-lingering corruption charges.


In his address citing his withdrawal from the race, Odom thanked the agriculture department employees.

“For 28 years, I’ve served the people of this state with pride and dignity. I’ve accomplished many things and I will retire knowing I’ve done the best job possible for the agriculture and forest industries in Louisiana,” he said.

Strain, a veterinarian from Covington, will take office on Jan. 14, which will be inauguration day for all state-elected officials. He received strong support from the state Republican Party, which saw an opportunity to unseat the politically-powerful Odom, an influential Democrat. Strain thanked Odom for his years of service and pledged a smooth transition.

Strain ran on a platform of department reform and more accountability to taxpayers.

Odom drops out of runoff