Moore was the first Republican to run for the United States Senate with party organizational support since 1962, when Taylor W. O'Hearn of Shreveport unsuccessfully challenged Russell Long. He was also the first candidate to declare for Long's seat after the veteran lawmaker announced his retirement effective in January 1987. He had the immediate support of Republican colleague Bob Livingston of First District, who in 1987 launched an unsuccessful bid for governor of Louisiana. Republican chairman George J. Despot of Shreveport pronounced Moore's as his party's "strongest possibility" to fill Long's seat."Moore is first to announce for Long's seat", Minden Press-Herald, February 27, 1985, p. 1.
