Changes

==The 2011 legislative defeat==

==The 2011 legislative defeat==

District 23 became a majority African American district in the 2011 [[redistricting]] based uopn the 2010 [[census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20111023/NEWS01/310230008/Hazel-re-elected-House-District-27-Harris-wins-House-District-25-seat|title=Hazel re-elected in House Distrrict 27; Harris wins House District 25|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk'', October 23, 2011|accessdate=October 24, 2011}}</ref>

District 23 became a majority African American district in the 2011 [[redistricting]] based upon the 2010 [[census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20111023/NEWS01/310230008/Hazel-re-elected-House-District-27-Harris-wins-House-District-25-seat|title=Hazel re-elected in House Distrrict 27; Harris wins House District 25|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk'', October 23, 2011|accessdate=October 24, 2011; no longer on-line}}</ref>

In the general election held on November 19, 2011, Nowlin was unseated by the Democrat Kenny Ray Cox, a decorated retired lieutenant colonel in the [[United States Army]] from Mansfield in DeSoto Parish. Cox received 5,556 votes (53.4 percent) to Nowlin's 4,847 (46.6 percent). Nowlin won by some nine hundred votes in Natchitoches Parish but lost decisively in DeSoto and Red River parishes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11192011/11192011_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana general election returns, November 19, 2011|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=November 20, 2011}}</ref>

In the general election held on November 19, 2011, Nowlin was unseated by the Democrat Kenny Ray Cox, a decorated retired lieutenant colonel in the [[United States Army]] from Mansfield in DeSoto Parish. Cox received 5,556 votes (53.4 percent) to Nowlin's 4,847 (46.6 percent). Nowlin won by some nine hundred votes in Natchitoches Parish but lost decisively in DeSoto and Red River parishes.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 19, 2011.</ref>

    

    

In the October 22 primary, Nowlin had narrowly led with 5,662 votes (43.6 percent), and Cox trailed with 5,506 votes (42.4 percent). Democrat Ralph Wilson, who also sought the seat in 2007, held the remaining but critical 1,805 ballots (13.9 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10222011/10222011_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana primary election returns, October 22, 2011|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=October 22, 2011}}</ref>

Earlier in the October 22 primary, Nowlin had narrowly led with 5,662 votes (43.6 percent), and Cox trailed with 5,506 votes (42.4 percent). Democrat Ralph Wilson, who also sought the seat in 2007, held the remaining but critical 1,805 ballots (13.9 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 22, 2011.</ref>

Representative Cox graduated from Coushatta High School in Coushatta in Red River Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesabineindex.com/index/node/5299|title=Cox runs for State Representative|publisher=thesabineindex.com|accessdate=October 24, 2011}}</ref> He ran unsuccessfully in 2007 in House District 7 against the Republican [[Richard Burford]] of Stonewall, who was subsequently re-elected in the 2011 primary.

Representative Cox graduated from Coushatta High School in Coushatta in Red River Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesabineindex.com/index/node/5299|title=Cox runs for State Representative|publisher=thesabineindex.com|accessdate=October 24, 2011}}</ref> He ran unsuccessfully in 2007 in House District 7 against the Republican [[Richard Burford]] of Stonewall, who was subsequently re-elected in the 2011 primary.

In addition to Nowlin, two other north Louisiana Republican legislators faced with redistricting woes, [[Sam Little]] of Bastrop in Morehouse Parish and [[Billy Chandler]] of Dry Prong in Grant Parish, were unseated in the November 19 general election.

In addition to Nowlin, two other north Louisiana Republican legislators faced with redistricting woes, [[Sam Little]] of Bastrop in Morehouse Parish and [[Billy Chandler]] of Dry Prong in Grant Parish, were unseated in the November 19 general election.

In 2012, Nowlin was a Louisiana delegate to the [[Republican National Convention]] held in [[Tampa]], [[Florida]]. He supports the election of [[Mitt Romney]] as U.S. president.

In 2012, Nowlin was a Louisiana delegate to the [[Republican National Convention]] held in [[Tampa]], [[Florida]].

As the Republican candidate in the November 6, 2012,  election for the newly established position of president of Natchitoches Parish, Nowlin handily defeated a Democratic opponent. He assumed his new position, along with five elected commissioners, in January 2013.

As the Republican candidate in the November 6, 2012,  election for the newly established position of president of Natchitoches Parish, Nowlin handily defeated a Democratic opponent. He assumed his new position, along with five elected commissioners, in January 2013.