Changes

==Background==

==Background==

Ellington was born to Mr. and Mrs. Noble Ellington, Sr. He graduated in 1960 from Mangham High School in Mangham in Richland Parish. In 1964, he obtained a bachelor's degree from [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]]. Ellington has been active in such civic organizations as the [[Farm Bureau]], the Northeast Louisiana Agriculture/Business Council, and the [[Chamber of Commerce]]. He is a past director of the Winnsboro Economic Development Corporation. He is a former [[bank]] director and [[hospital]] board member. Ellington is a patron of the restored Princess Theatre in Winnsboro.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.princesstheatreinc.com/patrons.htm|title=Welcome to the Princess Theatre|publisher=Princess Theatre}}</ref> He and his sons operate Noble Ellington Cotton Company, Inc., in Winnsboro.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Noble Ellington, Sr., he graduated in 1960 from Mangham High School in Mangham in Richland Parish. In 1964, he obtained a bachelor's degree from [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]]. Ellington has been active in such civic organizations as the [[Farm Bureau]], the Northeast Louisiana Agriculture/Business Council, and the [[Chamber of Commerce]]. He is a past director of the Winnsboro Economic Development Corporation. He is a former [[bank]] director and [[hospital]] board member. Ellington is a patron of the restored Princess Theatre in Winnsboro. He and his sons operate Noble Ellington Cotton Company, Inc., in Winnsboro.

In his earlier years, he was a national director of the Jaycees. He sits on the board of directors of the Louisiana [[Baptist]] Children's Home in Ruston. He is a former co-chairman, now emeritus, of the [[American Legislative Exchange Council]]. Ellington is a Baptist.<ref name="enlou">Louisiana State Senate, District 32[http://www.enlou.com/officeholders/senatedistrict32.htm]; no longer on-line.</ref>​

In his earlier years, he was a national director of the Jaycees. He sits on the board of directors of the Louisiana [[Baptist]] Children's Home in Ruston. He is a former co-chairman, now emeritus, of the [[American Legislative Exchange Council]]. Ellington is a Baptist.<ref name="enlou">Louisiana State Senate, District 32[http://www.enlou.com/officeholders/senatedistrict32.htm]; no longer on-line.</ref>​

==A bitter divorce==

==A bitter divorce==

In 1964, Ellington married the former Peggy Marie McDowell (also born 1942) of Winnsboro, a native of Monroe. Their two sons are Noble Ellington, III (born 1964), and Ryan Fred Ellington (born 1967).<ref>[http://preview.ussearch.com/preview/newsearch?searchFName=peggy&searchMName=m&searchLName=traylor&searchCity=&searchState=LA&searchApproxAge=64&adID=10002101&searchtab=people&x=36&y=10 People Search & Background Check<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The Ellingtons divorced on May 11, 1998. In their family-owned company, Noble handled the negotiation of deals with suppliers and customers, while Peggy ran the office, kept the books, and performed paperwork associated with the business. Their sons joined the business, Ryan in 1992 and Noble, III, in 1995. The company buys cotton from farmers, cotton gins, and other producers and sells to [[textile]] mills and shippers. The gross profit of the company comes from the margin made from this activity. The Ellington firm made a profit each year from 1979 through 1998.<ref name="lacoa2">{{PDFlink|http://www.lacoa2.org/Opinions%20PDF/36943ca.pdf|45.2&nbsp;[[Kibibyte|KiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 46359 bytes -->}}</ref>​

In 1964, Ellington married the former Peggy Marie McDowell (also born 1942) of Winnsboro, a native of Monroe. Their two sons are Noble Ellington, III (born 1964), and Ryan Fred Ellington (born 1967). The Ellingtons divorced on May 11, 1998. In their family-owned company, Noble handled the negotiation of deals with suppliers and customers, while Peggy ran the office, kept the books, and performed paperwork associated with the business. Their sons joined the business, Ryan in 1992 and Noble, III, in 1995. The company buys cotton from farmers, cotton gins, and other producers and sells to [[textile]] mills and shippers. The gross profit of the company comes from the margin made from this activity. The Ellington firm made a profit each year from 1979 through 1998.<ref name="lacoa2">{{PDFlink|http://www.lacoa2.org/Opinions%20PDF/36943ca.pdf, lo longer operable.</ref>​

By August 1996, when the Ellingtons separated, they had made more than $2 million in the cotton business. They used some of their proceeds to purchase apartments, office buildings, and farms. Peggy sued Noble over the division of the company but lost her claim on appeal. After the divorce, Peggy married Chet D. Traylor, a Republican who served on the Louisiana Supreme Court from 1997 to 2009. Traylor, now of Monroe, formerly resided in Winnsboro.<ref name="lacoa2"/> Peggy Traylor died on August 22, 2009, and is interred at Columbia Hills Cemetery in Traylor's native Columbia, Louisiana.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mulhearnfuneralhome.com/printobit.aspx?MemberId=62308&MName=Peggy%20%20Traylor|title=Obituary of Peggy Marie Traylor|publisher=mulhearnfuneralhome.com|accessdate=July 10, 2010}}</ref> In June 2010, Noble Ellington, III, and Ryan Ellington sued Chet Traylor in 5th Judicial District Court for allegedly withholding information about their late mother's estate. Peggy Traylor died intestate. Chet Traylor since became romantically involved with Denise Lively Ellington, the former wife of Ryan Ellington. Noble Ellington, II, has also blamed Traylor as part of the cause of his own divorce from Peggy, his first wife of thirty-four years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20100721/NEWS01/7210327/-1/NEWSFRONT2/Ellingtons+paint+different+picture+of+Vitter+challenger+Traylor|title=Ellingtons paint different picture of Vitter challenger Traylor|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|accessdate=July 21, 2010; no longer on-line.}}</ref>​

By August 1996, when the Ellingtons separated, they had made more than $2 million in the cotton business. They used some of their proceeds to purchase apartments, office buildings, and farms. Peggy sued Noble over the division of the company but lost her claim on appeal. After the divorce, Peggy married Chet D. Traylor, a Republican who served on the Louisiana Supreme Court from 1997 to 2009. Traylor, now of Monroe, formerly resided in Winnsboro.<ref name="lacoa2"/> Peggy Traylor died on August 22, 2009, and is interred at Columbia Hills Cemetery in Traylor's native Columbia, Louisiana.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mulhearnfuneralhome.com/printobit.aspx?MemberId=62308&MName=Peggy%20%20Traylor|title=Obituary of Peggy Marie Traylor|publisher=mulhearnfuneralhome.com|accessdate=July 10, 2010; no longer on-line.}}</ref> In June 2010, Noble Ellington, III, and Ryan Ellington sued Chet Traylor in 5th Judicial District Court for allegedly withholding information about their late mother's estate. Peggy Traylor died intestate. Chet Traylor since became romantically involved with Denise Lively Ellington, the former wife of Ryan Ellington. Noble Ellington, II, has also blamed Traylor as part of the cause of his own divorce from Peggy, his first wife of thirty-four years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20100721/NEWS01/7210327/-1/NEWSFRONT2/Ellingtons+paint+different+picture+of+Vitter+challenger+Traylor|title=Ellingtons paint different picture of Vitter challenger Traylor|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|accessdate=July 21, 2010; no longer on-line.}}</ref>​

In 2010, Chet Traylor launched an intra-party challenge to [[U.S. Senator]] [[David Vitter]]. Traylor claimed that Vitter's personal problems could make the incumbent Republican senator vulnerable to the challenge of the Democrat [[Charlie Melancon]] of Napoleonville in Assumption Parish.<ref>"Monroe's Traylor to challenge Vitter," ''''The Monroe News Star,'' July 10, 2010.</ref> However, Vitter handily defeated Traylor and then Melancon on November 2, 2010.​

In 2010, Chet Traylor launched an intra-party challenge to [[U.S. Senator]] [[David Vitter]]. Traylor claimed that Vitter's personal problems could make the incumbent Republican senator vulnerable to the challenge of the Democrat [[Charlie Melancon]] of Napoleonville in Assumption Parish.<ref>"Monroe's Traylor to challenge Vitter," ''''The Monroe News Star,'' July 10, 2010.</ref> However, Vitter handily defeated Traylor and then Melancon on November 2, 2010.​

State District Judge Don Johnson issued a temporary restraining order on January 11, 2008, that Mrs. Ellington could continue in her $54,540-per-year position until a final court decision is rendered.<ref>[http://www.newshorn.com/forums/viewthread/20314/ NewsHorn.com Forums | Louisiana and Ethics, Worlds in Collision<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> She maintained her position while Ellington served in the Senate because she had worked for him for more than a year before the couple married and had been employed by Ellington since he entered the House in 1988. The Louisiana Ethics Board maintains that the Senate and House are separate bodies so the grandfather clause no longer applied after Ellington returned to the House.  

State District Judge Don Johnson issued a temporary restraining order on January 11, 2008, that Mrs. Ellington could continue in her $54,540-per-year position until a final court decision is rendered.<ref>[http://www.newshorn.com/forums/viewthread/20314/ NewsHorn.com Forums | Louisiana and Ethics, Worlds in Collision<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> She maintained her position while Ellington served in the Senate because she had worked for him for more than a year before the couple married and had been employed by Ellington since he entered the House in 1988. The Louisiana Ethics Board maintains that the Senate and House are separate bodies so the grandfather clause no longer applied after Ellington returned to the House.  

The Ellingtons maintained in their legal artument that the legislature is a single body and thatMrs. Ellington's employment should stand.​Ellington said that his wife has "tremendous experience and a great understanding about the needs of the constituents." House Clerk Butch Speer said he believes the Ethics Board's opinion should stand. According to Speer, "The House's position is that we have to adhere to the code of ethics. The (Ethics Board) is charged by law with interpreting the code, and it said that (Ellington) can't participate in the employment of his wife. But the House is also bound to follow a lawful order of the court. Under the restraining order issued by the 19th Judicial Court, the House isn't to perform any act that would interrupt her employment. Unless or until that order is lifted, she will remain employed. If the order is ever lifted, the House will follow the dictates of the Ethics Board," and Mrs. Ellington would therefore ​

In their legal argument, the Ellingtons maintained that the legislature is a single body and that Mrs. Ellington's employment should stand.​Ellington said that his wife has "tremendous experience and a great understanding about the needs of the constituents." Then House Clerk Butch Speer said that the Ethics Board's opinion should stand:

be terminated from her position.<ref>[http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080129/NEWS01/801290319 The News Star - www.thenewsstar.com - Monroe, LA<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>​

"The House's position is that we have to adhere to the code of ethics. The Ethics Boardis charged by law with interpreting the code, and it said that (Ellington) can't participate in the employment of his wife. But the House is also bound to follow a lawful order of the court. Under the restraining order issued by the 19th Judicial Court, the House isn't to perform any act that would interrupt her employment. Unless or until that order is lifted, she will remain employed. If the order is ever lifted, the House will follow the dictates of the Ethics Board," and Mrs. Ellington would therefore ​be terminated from her position.<ref>''The Monroe News-Star,'' January 29, 2008.</ref>​

On May 19, 2008, the state Senate without objection approved an amendment offered by then Senate President Joel Chaisson of Destrehan in St. Charles Parish  that would erase the court ruling that Mrs. Ellington must resign as her husband's legislative assistant. Chaisson's amendment states that if a lawmaker's spouse is legally an assistant in one chamber of the legislature, a member then being elected to the other body does not change that assistant's employment status.<ref>[http://www.cars.com/go/index.jsp?aff=thetimes The Shreveport Times: Buy New & Used Cars, Research Prices, Sell My Car, Find Auto Dealers<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>​

On May 19, 2008, the state Senate without objection approved an amendment offered by then Senate President Joel Thomas Chaisson, II, of Destrehan in St. Charles Parish  that would erase the court ruling that Mrs. Ellington must resign as her husband's legislative assistant. Chaisson's amendment states that if a lawmaker's spouse is legally an assistant in one chamber of the legislature, a member then being elected to the other body does not change that assistant's employment status.<ref>[http://www.cars.com/go/index.jsp?aff=thetimes The Shreveport Times: Buy New & Used Cars, Research Prices, Sell My Car, Find Auto Dealers<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>​

==Political campaigns==

==Political campaigns==

Ellington won the District 20 House seat in the  election held on November 17, 2007. Incumbent [[Lelon Kenney]]  of Columbia in Caldwell Parish was term-limited. Ellington hence defeated his runoff opponent, fellow Democrat Cleveland Webb "Cleve" Womack (1953-2018) of Jonesville in Catahoula Parish, 6,215 votes (52 percent) to 5,686 (48 percent). The district includes, Franklin, Catahoula, Caldwell, and two precincts in Tensas, the smallest of Louisiana's sixty-four parishes, which is located adjacent to the [[Mississippi River]].<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 17, 2007.</ref>​

Ellington won the District 20 House seat in the  election held on November 17, 2007. Incumbent [[Lelon Kenney]]  of Columbia in Caldwell Parish was term-limited. Ellington hence defeated his runoff opponent, fellow Democrat Cleveland Webb "Cleve" Womack (1953-2018) of Jonesville in Catahoula Parish, 6,215 votes (52 percent) to 5,686 (48 percent). The district includes Franklin, Catahoula, Caldwell, and two precincts in Tensas, the smallest of Louisiana's sixty-four parishes, which is located adjacent to the [[Mississippi River]].<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 17, 2007.</ref>​

Ellington's former Senate District 32 includes in addition to Caldwell, Catahoula, and Franklin (also in the House district) the parishes of Concordia, La Salle Parish, and small portions of Ouachita and Rapides parishes. The House district is represented by its first ever Republican member, Neil Riser of Columbia, who was term-limited in the 2019 state election. By the time that Ellington left the Senate, the district lines had changed somewhat and included even a few precincts as far south as the northern portion of Avoyelles Parish.

Ellington's former Senate District 32 includes in addition to Caldwell, Catahoula, and Franklin (also in the House district) the parishes of Concordia, La Salle Parish, and small portions of Ouachita and Rapides parishes. The House district is represented by its first ever Republican member, Neil Riser of Columbia, who was term-limited in the 2019 state election. By the time that Ellington left the Senate, the district lines had changed somewhat and included even a few precincts as far south as the northern portion of Avoyelles Parish.