Clear dropdownlist with JQuery

Just use .empty():

// snip...
}).done(function (data) {
    // Clear drop down list
    $(dropdown).empty(); // <<<<<< No more issue here
    // Fill drop down list with new data
    $(data).each(function () {
        // snip...

There’s also a more concise way to build up the options:

// snip...
$(data).each(function () {
    $("<option />", {
        val: this.value,
        text: this.text
    }).appendTo(dropdown);
});