Changes

|term_end3=  

|term_end3=  

|preceded3=Robert Jocelyn Barham

|preceded3=Robert Jocelyn Barham

|birth_date=December 28, 1950

|birth_date=December 28, 1950

|birth_place=[[Shreveport]], [[Louisiana]]

|birth_place=[[Shreveport]], [[Louisiana]]

|religion=[[Southern Baptist]]}}

|religion=[[Southern Baptist]]}}

'''Harlie Eugene Reynolds, Jr.''', known as '''Gene Reynolds''' (born December 28, 1950),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/harlie-reynolds/harliereynolds|title=Harlie Reynolds|publisher=Mylife.com|accessdate=September 12, 2017}}</ref> is a retired teacher and school principal residing in Dubberly in Webster Parish in northwestern [[Louisiana]], who is a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] former state representative for District 10, which encompasses all of Webster Parish, including the parish seat of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], and one precinct from neighboring Bossier Parish. From 2015 to 2018, Reynolds was the House Democratic Leader, having succeeded  [[John Bel Edwards]] in the legislative position. Reynolds steeped down from the leadershp near the end of a special legislative session called by the governor. He indicated that he "is tired" and needs time to devote himself to other matters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/2018/03/05/house-democratic-chair-im-not-mad-im-just-tired/394489002/ |title=House Democratic Chair: 'I'm not mad; I'm just tired'|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|accessdate=March 5, 2018}}</ref>

'''Harlie Eugene Reynolds, Jr.''', known as '''Gene Reynolds''' (born December 28, 1950),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/harlie-reynolds/harliereynolds|title=Harlie Reynolds|publisher=Mylife.com|accessdate=September 12, 2017}}</ref> is a retired teacher and school principal from Dubberly in Webster Parish in northwestern [[Louisiana]], who is a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] former state representative for District 10, which encompasses all of Webster Parish, including the parish seat of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], and one precinct from neighboring Bossier Parish. From 2015 to 2018, Reynolds was the House Democratic Leader, having succeeded  [[John Bel Edwards]] in the legislative position. Reynolds steeped down from the leadershp near the end of a special legislative session called by Governor John Bel Edwards. He indicated that he "is tired" and needs time to devote himself to other matters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/2018/03/05/house-democratic-chair-im-not-mad-im-just-tired/394489002/ |title=House Democratic Chair: 'I'm not mad; I'm just tired'|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|accessdate=March 5, 2018}}</ref>

On May 17, 2018, Reynolds confirmed that he is leaving the House on June 4 at the end of a special session. He will instead become state parks director under the office of Lieutenant Governor [[Billy Nungesser]], a [[Republican Party|Republican]]. In addition to the twenty-two state parks, he will oversee the eighteen historic sites in the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/2018/05/17/new-state-parks-director-familiar-face-capitol/618299002/|author=Greg Hilburn|title=Meet the new state parks director|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|accessdate=May 17, 2018}}</ref>  

On May 17, 2018, Reynolds confirmed that he would vacate his House seat on June 4 at the end of a special session. He will instead become state parks director under the office of Lieutenant Governor [[Billy Nungesser]], a [[Republican Party|Republican]]. In addition to the twenty-two state parks, he will oversee the eighteen historic sites in the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/2018/05/17/new-state-parks-director-familiar-face-capitol/618299002/|author=Greg Hilburn|title=Meet the new state parks director|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|accessdate=May 17, 2018}}</ref>  

A native of [[Shreveport]], Reynolds<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/134722/gene-reynolds|title=Representative Gene Reynolds|publisher=votesmart.org|accessdate=May 18, 2012}}</ref> won a low-turnout [[general election]] held on November 19, 2011, when he defeated the Republican candidate, Jerri Lynn Ray de Pingre of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], a former ""Miss Minden" and another former educator, 4,232 (54.7 percent) to 3,508 (45.3 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11192011/11192011_Legislative.html|title=General election returns, November 19, 2011|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 18, 2012}}</ref> De Pingre is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Ray and the wife of Benny dePingre, whom she married in 1981.

A native of [[Shreveport]], Reynolds<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/134722/gene-reynolds|title=Representative Gene Reynolds|publisher=votesmart.org|accessdate=May 18, 2012}}</ref> won a low-turnout [[general election]] held on November 19, 2011, when he defeated the Republican candidate, Jerri Lynn Ray de Pingre of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], a former ""Miss Minden" and another former educator, 4,232 (54.7 percent) to 3,508 (45.3 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11192011/11192011_Legislative.html|title=General election returns, November 19, 2011|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 18, 2012}}</ref> De Pingre is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Ray and the wife of Benny dePingre, whom she married in 1981.

This showed just how powerless was Reynolds, and at the session’s end he again resigned, this time apparently for good. Once more, he blamed conservatives for not voting new substantial dollars into state coffers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/the-democrat-caucus-left-reynolds-long-before-the-special-session/|title=The Democrat Caucus left Reynolds long before the special session|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|date=March 14, 2018|accessdate=March 19, 2018}}</ref></blockquote>

This showed just how powerless was Reynolds, and at the session’s end he again resigned, this time apparently for good. Once more, he blamed conservatives for not voting new substantial dollars into state coffers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/the-democrat-caucus-left-reynolds-long-before-the-special-session/|title=The Democrat Caucus left Reynolds long before the special session|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|date=March 14, 2018|accessdate=March 19, 2018}}</ref></blockquote>

Springhill [[veterinarian]] Royce Wayne McMahen (born October 3, 1954), a Republican,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Home/Home?uid=3403618|title=Royce McMahen, 71075, October 1954|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=June 8, 2018}}</ref> is seeking to succeed Reynolds in the upcoming special election. In his announcement of candidacy from the steps of the Webster Parish Courthouse in Minden, McMahen listed the principal issues of his campaign as rural health, community safety, natural resources, jobs, and cooperation in the legislature.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/mcmahen-running-for-state-rep/|title=McMahen Running for State Rep|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=June 7, 2018|author=Caleb Daniel|accessdate=June 8, 2018}}</ref>He is the only surviving son of Royce Lafayette McMahen (1923-1999), also a Springhill veterinarian and the Democratic [[sheriff]] of Webster Parish from 1980 to 1996.

Springhill [[veterinarian]] Royce Wayne McMahen (born October 3, 1954), a Democrat-turned-Republican,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Home/Home?uid=3403618|title=Royce McMahen, 71075, October 1954|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=June 8, 2018}}</ref> is the only candidate seeking to succeed Reynolds in the upcoming special election on November 6, 2018. In his announcement of candidacy from the steps of the Webster Parish Courthouse in Minden, McMahen listed the principal issues of his campaign as rural health, community safety, natural resources, jobs, and cooperation in the legislature.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/mcmahen-running-for-state-rep/|title=McMahen Running for State Rep|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=June 7, 2018|author=Caleb Daniel|accessdate=June 8, 2018}}</ref>He is the only surviving son of Royce Lafayette McMahen (1923-1999), also a Springhill veterinarian and the Democratic [[sheriff]] of Webster Parish from 1980 to 1996.

 

Sadow said that McMahen, based on background and key supporters, including Reynolds and others favoring an increase in the [[gasoline]] tax, may be a [[RINO]].

==References==  

==References==