He was reelected in the 2007 primary with 64% of the vote, receiving the largest number of votes cast for any candidate in the statewide election.

 

Secretary Dardenne has championed increased early voting opportunities and helped win legislative approval of a pay raise for poll commissioners. He eliminated admission fees at all museums his control and created the GeauxVote.com and Geaux.Biz.com websites.

 

During his legislative service, he chaired the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees ethics and election laws. 

 

In 2003, he was named National Republican Legislator of the Year.  He is an active community volunteer, having hosted the Jerry Lewis Telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association for more than 25 years.  He served for two years on the National MDA Board of Directors. In addition, Secretary Dardenne chaired the Local Organizing Committee for the National Senior Olympics and received the Community Leadership Award from Leadership Greater Baton Rouge.

 

Secretary Dardenne conducts a presentation entitled “Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi,” a lively and colorful look at Louisiana’s culture, demography, history, music and politics.

 

He is an attorney and a graduate of Baton Rouge High School, Louisiana State University and the LSU Law Center.

 

Secretary Dardenne is married to the former Cathy McDonald. They have two grown sons, John and Matthew.