Caire had joined the Republican Party in Louisiana, although the great majority of whites belonged to the Democratic Party in those years. During the Reconstruction era, the Republican Party was made up both black and white members, as well as former free people of color, who were mixed race. Following the passage of a new state constitution in 1898, which raised barriers to voter registration, most blacks in Louisiana were disenfranchised for decades into the late 20th century. The much smaller party consisted mostly of whites.
