Changes

|childrenSharon Elizabeth Sampite' (deceased)<br>

|childrenSharon Elizabeth Sampite' (deceased)<br>

Chris Sampite'<br>

Chris Sampite'<br>

Sheila S. Hardin<br

Sheila S. Hardin<br>

Michaela Marie Sampite'

Michaela Marie Sampite'

|party=[[Democratic Party|Democrat]]

|party=[[Democratic Party|Democrat]]

In his first election as mayor in 1980, Sampite', a native of [[New Orleans]], unseated the one-term incumbent Robert DeBlieux. As mayor, he expanded the city's fire and police departments and recreation program and directed improvements in infrastructure and the Natchitoches airport.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-sampite&pid=157691111|title=Joe Sampite' obituary|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>​

In his first election as mayor in 1980, Sampite', a native of [[New Orleans]], unseated the one-term incumbent Robert DeBlieux. As mayor, he expanded the city's fire and police departments and recreation program and directed improvements in infrastructure and the Natchitoches airport.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-sampite&pid=157691111|title=Joe Sampite' obituary|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>​

 

As the president of the Louisiana Municipal Association from 1986 to 1987, he was the first recipient of that organization's President's Award. At the turn of the 21st century, ''The Shreveport Times''' named Sampite' among its "Top 100 Influential People in Northwest Louisiana." In 2000, he was inducted into the Northwestern State University Hall of Distinction, or Long Purple Line, the highest designation for NSU alumni.<ref name=obit/> In 2002, he was named to the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lapoliticalmuseum.com/inductees.php|title=Political Hall of Fame|publisher=lapoliticalmuseum.com|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>​

As the president of the Louisiana Municipal Association from 1986 to 1987, he was the first recipient of that organization's President's Award. At the turn of the 21st century, ''The Shreveport Times''' named Sampite' among its "Top 100 Influential People in Northwest Louisiana." In 2000, he was inducted into the Northwestern State University Hall of Distinction, or Long Purple Line, the highest designation for NSU alumni.<ref name=obit/> In 2002, he was named to the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lapoliticalmuseum.com/inductees.php|title=Political Hall of Fame|publisher=lapoliticalmuseum.com|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>​

 

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/>

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>

​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 3,766 (45 percent) for Sampite'.<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 in a reconfigured district in his bid for a second term in the House. He is now the first president of the Natchitoches combined municipal and parish governments.dd

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 3,766 (45 percent) for Sampite'.<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 in a reconfigured district in his bid for a second term in the House. He is now the first president of the Natchitoches combined municipal and parish governments.dd

==Legacy==

==Legacy==

Sampite' died in Natchitoches at the age of eighty-one. His services were held on May 22, 2012, at his home church, the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Natchitoches, with interment at Memory Lawn Cemetery.<ref name=obit/>​

Sampite' died in Natchitoches at the age of eighty-one. His services were held on May 22, 2012, at his home church, the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Natchitoches, with interment at Memory Lawn Cemetery.<ref name=obit/>​

 

Sampite' was preceded in death by his wife, the former Hazel Barnes, and a daughter, Sharon Elizabeth Sampite'. He was survived by a son, Chris Sampite' and wife Daphne Gray Sampite'; two daughters, Sheila Sampite' Hardin and her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Alan Hardin, and Michaela Marie Sampite'; two sisters, Sally S. Logan of [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] and Marielise Sampite' Brosset of Cloutierville; a brother, A. J. Sampite', Jr., of Hemet, [[California]], and six grandchildren.<ref name=obit/>​

Sampite' was preceded in death by his wife, the former Hazel Barnes, and a daughter, Sharon Elizabeth Sampite'. He was survived by a son, Chris Sampite' and wife Daphne Gray Sampite'; two daughters, Sheila Sampite' Hardin and her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Alan Hardin, and Michaela Marie Sampite'; two sisters, Sally S. Logan of [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] and Marielise Sampite' Brosset of Cloutierville; a brother, A. J. Sampite', Jr., of Hemet, [[California]], and six grandchildren.<ref name=obit/>​

 

Mayor Wayne McCullen issued this statement on his predecessor's death:<blockquote>​

Mayor Wayne McCullen issued this statement on his predecessor's death:<blockquote>​

"It is certainly a sad day for the citizens of Natchitoches and the state of Louisiana. Natchitoches has lost an icon with the passing of Mayor Joe Sampite'. He touched so many lives through his years of coaching and twenty years as mayor ... He was a mentor of mine as I served with him while I was city councilman at large. Our prayers certainly go out to his family. Mayor Sampite's legacy will live on forever in Natchitoches."<ref name=adtt>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20120518/NEWS01/120518020/Former-Natchitoches-Mayor-Joe-Sampite-dies|title=Former Natchitoches Mayor Joe Sampite' dies|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk'', May 18, 2012|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>​</blockquote>

"It is certainly a sad day for the citizens of Natchitoches and the state of Louisiana. Natchitoches has lost an icon with the passing of Mayor Joe Sampite'. He touched so many lives through his years of coaching and twenty years as mayor ... He was a mentor of mine as I served with him while I was city councilman at large. Our prayers certainly go out to his family. Mayor Sampite's legacy will live on forever in Natchitoches."<ref name=adtt>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20120518/NEWS01/120518020/Former-Natchitoches-Mayor-Joe-Sampite-dies|title=Former Natchitoches Mayor Joe Sampite' dies|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk'', May 18, 2012|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>​</blockquote>

==References==

==References==

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{{reflist}}​​

 

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[[Category:Louisiana People]]

[[Category:Louisiana People]]

[[Category:Democrats]]​

[[Category:Democrats]]​

[[Category:United States Air Force]]​

[[Category:United States Air Force]]​