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|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 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>

'''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  in the legislative position [[John Bel Edwards]], who was elected governor. Reynolds steeped down from the leadershp near the end of a special legislative session called by Governor 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 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>  

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>  

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.

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]].

Columnist said that McMahen, based on background and key supporters, including Reynolds and others favoring an increase in the [[gasoline]] tax, may be a [[RINO]] when he finally takes the House seat. Sadow explained his view:

Several RINOs populate both chambers of the Legislature, individuals who exploit both Louisiana’s eroding populist political culture and conservatism on social issues. Typically, RINOs emphasize issue preferences such as being [[pro-life]] and against gun control and make personal connections with constituents through service to them. That especially includes influential people wanting government to tax more so it can spend more, preferably on contracts for them, and allows RINOs to shovel more money to local government and state bureaucracy back home. Then they can boast about all of the pork and jobs they have provided to secure reelection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/gop-takes-la-house-seat-sorta/|title=GOP takes La. House seat, sorta|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=July 25, 2018|author=Jeffrey Dennis Sadow|accessdate=July 26, 2018}}</ref></blockquote>

==References==  

==References==