Changes

==Legislative election, 2007==

==Legislative election, 2007==

Nowlin, with the pledge of "A Time for Reform",  won a stunning victory in District 23 (then Natchitoches and Winn parishes but since altered) on November 17, 2007, over the [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] [[Joe Sampite'|Joseph Michael "Joe" Sampite']], who served as the mayor of  Natchitoches from 1980 to 2000. Sampite is also an inductee into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.<ref>[http://www.cityofwinnfield.com/museum.html Winnfield, La - Old L&A Depot, LA Political Museum<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Nowlin polled 4,609 votes (55 percent) in the general election to Sampite's 3,766 (45 percent)<ref>[http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms3&rqsdta=111707i Louisiana Secretary of State-Multi-Parish Elections Inquiry<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In the primary on October 20, 2007, 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, 2,847 (21 percent) and 1,459 (11 percent), respectively. Hence, Nowlin and Sampite were thrust into the runoff, called the general election in Louisiana even if both candidates are from the same party.<ref>[http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms3&rqsdta=102007 Louisiana Secretary of State-Multi-Parish Elections Inquiry<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Nowlin succeeded Thomas Taylor Townsend of Natchitoches, a Democrat who gave up the House seat after two terms to run unsuccessfully against Gerald Long for the state Senate. Townsend is a nephew and law partner of former State Senator Donald G. Kelly of Natchitoches.

Nowlin, with the pledge of "A Time for Reform",  won a stunning victory in District 23 (then Natchitoches and Winn parishes but since altered) on November 17, 2007, over the [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] [[Joe Sampite'|Joseph Michael "Joe" Sampite']], who served as the mayor of  Natchitoches from 1980 to 2000. Sampite is also an inductee into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.<ref>[http://www.cityofwinnfield.com/museum.html Winnfield, La - Old L&A Depot, LA Political Museum<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Nowlin polled 4,609 votes (55 percent) in the general election to Sampite's 3,766 (45 percent)<ref>[http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms3&rqsdta=111707i Louisiana Secretary of State-Multi-Parish Elections Inquiry<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In the primary on October 20, 2007, 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, 2,847 (21 percent) and 1,459 (11 percent), respectively.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 20, 2007.</ref> Hence, Nowlin and Sampite were thrust into the runoff, called the general election in Louisiana even if both candidates are from the same party.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 17, 2007.</ref> Nowlin succeeded Representative Thomas Taylor Townsend of Natchitoches, a Democrat who gave up the House seat after two terms to run unsuccessfully against Gerald Long for the state Senate. Townsend is a nephew and law partner of former state Senator Donald Gene Kelly of Natchitoches.

==Personal and civic life==

==Personal and civic life==