Myocardial infarction
In [[Louisiana gubernatorial election, 1963-64|1963]], Voelker resigned from the Sovereignty Commission to run for governor in the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] [[primary election]]. Governor Davis was ineligible to seek a third nonconsecutive term. In his campaign, Voelker urged the establishment of a cost-of-living formula for state employees and public welfare recipients. A few weeks after Voelker entered the race, his father died of a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]].