Changes

In his last term, Garrett was in a two-member district with conservative Democratic Representative Parey Pershing Branton, Sr. (1918-2011), of Shongaloo in Webster Parish. In the 1967 [[Primary|primaries]], Garrett and Branton defeated three other Democrats, former Springhill [[Mayor]] [[Charles McConnell]] and Henry Grady Hobbs (1923-2012), a native of from Sarepta,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=henry-hobbs&pid=162069317#fbLoggedOut|title=Henry Hobbs obituary|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=January 2, 2013|accessdate=October 7, 2019}}</ref> both [[attorney]]s, and James Whit "Tinker" Volentine (1915–1982), a Minden service station operator. McConnell tried again in 1971 and lost to Richard Harmon Drew, Sr. (1917-1995), of Minden. In 1995, Volentine's granddaughter, Helaine George, later Helaine Barrington of Denton County in north [[Texas]], was one of two Republican women who failed in an attempt to win the same House seat held at that time by the retired Minden educator, Democrat Everett Gail Doerge (1935-1999), who had first been elected in 1991. George had been the only person to challenge Doerge, having announced eight months early, with Patrick C. Nation, Sr., of Minden as her campaign manager. Then a second female Republican, Pamela Hillidge, entered there race; the two women split the opposition vote, and Doerge won a second term.

In his last term, Garrett was in a two-member district with conservative Democratic Representative Parey Pershing Branton, Sr. (1918-2011), of Shongaloo in Webster Parish. In the 1967 [[Primary|primaries]], Garrett and Branton defeated three other Democrats, former Springhill [[Mayor]] [[Charles McConnell]] and Henry Grady Hobbs (1923-2012), a native of from Sarepta,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=henry-hobbs&pid=162069317#fbLoggedOut|title=Henry Hobbs obituary|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=January 2, 2013|accessdate=October 7, 2019}}</ref> both [[attorney]]s, and James Whit "Tinker" Volentine (1915–1982), a Minden service station operator. McConnell tried again in 1971 and lost to Richard Harmon Drew, Sr. (1917-1995), of Minden. In 1995, Volentine's granddaughter, Helaine George, later Helaine Barrington of Denton County in north [[Texas]], was one of two Republican women who failed in an attempt to win the same House seat held at that time by the retired Minden educator, Democrat Everett Gail Doerge (1935-1999), who had first been elected in 1991. George had been the only person to challenge Doerge, having announced eight months early, with Patrick C. Nation, Sr., of Minden as her campaign manager. Then a second female Republican, Pamela Hillidge, entered there race; the two women split the opposition vote, and Doerge won a second term.

Garrett was recommended to the House as Speaker by Governor McKeithen to fill the vacancy created by the death on November 18, 1967, of Vaill Montgomery Delony of Lake Providence in East Carroll Parish.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' December 19, 1967, p. 1.</ref> Oddly, McKeithen's former intra-party gubernatorial rival, deLesseps Story "Chep" Morrison, a former mayor of [[New Orleans]], had recommended Garrett for Speaker in 1960 in Morrison's second bid for the governorship.<ref>"Morrison Says Davis Sought NAACP Support," ''The Shreveport Times,'' December 16, 1959, p. 10-A.</ref>

Garrett was recommended to the House as Speaker by Governor McKeithen to fill the vacancy created by the death on November 18, 1967, of Vail Montgomery Delony of Lake Providence in East Carroll Parish.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' December 19, 1967, p. 1.</ref> Oddly, McKeithen's former intra-party gubernatorial rival, deLesseps Story "Chep" Morrison, Sr. (1912-1964), a former mayor of [[New Orleans]], had recommended Garrett for Speaker in 1960 in Morrison's second bid for the governorship.<ref>"Morrison Says Davis Sought NAACP Support," ''The Shreveport Times,'' December 16, 1959, p. 10-A.</ref>

In 1969, Garrett called for a state constitutional convention, which Governor McKeithen said was "not necessary."<ref>"McKeithen Says Convention Is Not Necessary," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' January 28, 1969, p. 1.</ref> In 1973, a constitutional convention began deliberations in Baton Rouge, which led the next year to a new state governing document.

In 1969, Garrett called for a state constitutional convention, which Governor McKeithen said was "not necessary."<ref>"McKeithen Says Convention Is Not Necessary," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' January 28, 1969, p. 1.</ref> In 1973, a constitutional convention began deliberations in Baton Rouge, which led the next year to a new state governing document.