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| | Mayor Sampite' is profiled in ''The Oxford American'' literary [[magazine]] in an article entitled, "No Ordinary Joe." He received numerous other honors, including "Man of the Year" awards from the Natchitoches Parish [[Chamber of Commerce]], Natchitoches Junior Chamber International, and the Louisiana Parks and Recreation Association. He was a member of the American Legion, the Founders of Natchitoches, and the [[Roman Catholic]] men's organization, the [[Knights of Columbus]].<ref name=obit/> | | Mayor Sampite' is profiled in ''The Oxford American'' literary [[magazine]] in an article entitled, "No Ordinary Joe." He received numerous other honors, including "Man of the Year" awards from the Natchitoches Parish [[Chamber of Commerce]], Natchitoches Junior Chamber International, and the Louisiana Parks and Recreation Association. He was a member of the American Legion, the Founders of Natchitoches, and the [[Roman Catholic]] men's organization, the [[Knights of Columbus]].<ref name=obit/> |
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| − | A [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], Sampite' did not seek reelection to a sixth term in the municipal election held in the spring of 2000. Two Democrats competed in a runoff election held on April 15 for the right to succeed Sampite'. Then city council member at-large and current mayor, Wayne McCullen, narrowly defeated John Winston, 3,votes (50.3 percent) to 2,962 (49.7 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/04152000/04152000_35.html|title=Natchitoches Parish election results, April 15, 2000|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref> | + | A [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], Sampite' did not seek reelection to a sixth term in the municipal election held in the spring of 2000. Two Democrats competed in a runoff election held on April 15 for the right to succeed Sampite'. Then city council member at-large and current mayor, Wayne McCullen, narrowly defeated John Winston, 3,votes (50.3 percent) to 2,962 (49.7 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/04152000/04152000_35.html|title=Natchitoches Parish election results, April 15, 2000|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref> |
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| + | Sampite' sought a political comeback in the fall of 2007, but he was defeated in a competitive campaign by the [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Rick Nowlin]], a Natchitoches businessman, for the District 23 seat (then Natchitoches Winn parishes) in the Louisiana House of Representatives. Nowlin polled 4,609 votes (55 percent) in the [[general election]] to Sampite's 3,766 (45 percent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11172007/11172007_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana general election returns, November 17, 2007|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref> In the primary on October 20, Nowlin led a four-candidate field with 4,849 votes (35 percent) to Sampite's 4,598 (33 percent). Two other Democrats, Ralph Wilson and Mack James, polled a significant 2,847 (21 percent) and 1,459 (11 percent), respectively. Hence, Nowlin and Sampite' were thrust into the general election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10202007/Default.html|title=Primary election returns, October 20, 2007|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref> After one term, Nowlin was defeated for reelection to the House. He is now the first president of the Natchitoches combined municipal and parish governments. |
| − | Sampite' sought a political comeback in the fall of 2007, but he was defeated in a competitive campaign by the [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Rick Nowlin]], a Natchitoches businessman, for the District 23 seat (then Natchitoches Winn parishes) in the Louisiana House of Representatives. Nowlin polled 4,609 votes (55 percent) in the [[general election]] to Sampite's 3,766 (45 percent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11172007/11172007_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana general election returns, November 17, 2007|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref> In the primary on October 20, Nowlin led a four-candidate field with 4,849 votes (35 percent) to Sampite's 4,598 (33 percent). Two other Democrats, Ralph Wilson and Mack James, polled a significant 2,847 (21 percent) and 1,459 (11 percent), respectively. Hence, Nowlin and Sampite' were thrust into the general election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10202007/Default.html|title=Primary election returns, October 20, 2007|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref> After one term, Nowlin was defeated for reelection to the House. He is now the first president of the Natchitoches combined municipal and parish governments.
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| | ==Legacy== | | ==Legacy== |