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'''Royce Wayne McMahen''' (born October 3, 1954) is a [[veterinarian]] from Springhill in Webster Parish in northwestern [[Louisiana]], who is an incoming [[Republican Party|Republican]] member for the District 10 seat in the state legislature.

'''Royce Wayne McMahen''' (born October 3, 1954) is a [[veterinarian]] from Springhill in Webster Parish in northwestern [[Louisiana]], who is a [[Republican Party|Republican]] member for the District 10 seat in the state legislature.

A former [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], McMahen was the only candidate seeking to succeed Representative [[Gene Reynolds]] in the special election scheduled for November 6, 2018. With no opponent, the special election was cancelled, and McMahen took his seat on July 31, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/mcmahen-to-be-sworn-in-to-office-tuesday/|title=McMahen to be sworn into office Tuesday|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=July 27, 2018|accessdate=July 31, 2018}}</ref>

A former [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], McMahen was the only candidate seeking to succeed Representative [[Gene Reynolds]] in the special election scheduled for November 6, 2018. With no opponent, the special election was cancelled, and McMahen took his seat on July 31, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/mcmahen-to-be-sworn-in-to-office-tuesday/|title=McMahen to be sworn into office Tuesday|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=July 27, 2018|accessdate=July 31, 2018}}</ref> In his announcement of candidacy from the steps of the Webster Parish Courthouse in Minden, McMahen listed the principal issues 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 the former Johnnie Souter (1930-2012) and Royce Lafayette McMahen (1923-1999), also a Springhill veterinarian and the Democratic [[sheriff]] of Webster Parish from 1980 to 1996. His younger brother was Randy McMahen (1956-1968). His parents and brother are interred at Springhill Cemetery.

 

He is the only surviving son of the former Johnnie Souter (1930-2012) and Royce Lafayette McMahen (1923-1999), also a Springhill veterinarian and the Democratic [[sheriff]] of Webster Parish from 1980 to 1996. His younger brother was Randy McMahen (1956-1968). His parents and brother are interred at Springhill Cemetery.

Columnist Jeffrey Dennis Sadow, a [[political science]] [[professor]] at Louisiana State University in [[Shreveport]], predicted that McMahen, based on background and key supporters, including the outgoing Democrat, Gene Reynolds, and others favoring an increase in the [[gasoline]] tax, may be a [[RINO]] when he  takes the House seat. Sadow explained his view:

Columnist Jeffrey Dennis Sadow, a [[political science]] [[professor]] at Louisiana State University in [[Shreveport]], predicted that McMahen, based on background and key supporters, including the outgoing Democrat, Gene Reynolds, and others favoring an increase in the [[gasoline]] tax, may be a [[RINO]] when he  takes the House seat. Sadow explained his view: