Remember that Toupellon has 'only lords vote' and that first choice = 4 votes, 2nd choice = 2 votes, and Galiard couldn't vote for himself (not being a lord). With each of of the landed candidates voting for themselves, the election was pretty much decided by three region lords.
It was pretty cool, though, lots of last minute horse trading and 'I'll give so-and-so my second vote if such-and-such.' Not as exciting as when everybody can vote (though that's also self interest -- those elections are much easier to win if you're Galiard...) but having been through dozens of elections it was interesting to see that people like James and Merlin (and Merlin's brother, also a Duke) could have rallied their vassals - 4-5 region lords + three Dukes - and easily just chosen a candidate to win, but they went out for themselves and Claude being plain old fashioned diligent and earnest carried the day.
Galiard's political baggage has definitely cost him support in the past but it didn't seem to be much of a liability this time. Biggest problem he had was that he's now so $#!%! old that half the region lords don't even know who he is!
