Changes

Cain formerly chaired the Senate Insurance and the Agriculture and Natural Resources committees. In those capacities, he was a strong advocate of protecting his state's underground [[water]] sources to prevent depletion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepineywoods.com/water.htm|title=Water Summit begins regulatory discussion: Sen. Cain proposes bill to avoid depletion of state's underground water source|author=James Ronald Skains|publisher=''The Piney Woods Journal''|accessdate=August 5, 2015; no longer on-line}}</ref>​

Cain formerly chaired the Senate Insurance and the Agriculture and Natural Resources committees. In those capacities, he was a strong advocate of protecting his state's underground [[water]] sources to prevent depletion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepineywoods.com/water.htm|title=Water Summit begins regulatory discussion: Sen. Cain proposes bill to avoid depletion of state's underground water source|author=James Ronald Skains|publisher=''The Piney Woods Journal''|accessdate=August 5, 2015; no longer on-line}}</ref>​

==Background==​

==Background==

 

Cain was born in Pitkin  in southeastern Vernon Parish to Alton J. Cain, Sr., and the former Mary Etta Thornton. He graduated from Pitkin High School and obtained his Bachelor of Science and [[Master of Science]] degrees in [[education]] from McNeese State University in [[Lake Charles]], Louisiana.  He played [[basketball]] for the McNeese Cowboys. He served from 1958 to 1960 in the [[United States Army]]. He was a teacher and coach at Beauregard High School from 1962 until 1972. On six occasions, he was the District Coach of the Year. He held the statewide honor twice, and in 1992 was inducted into the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. ​

Cain was born in Pitkin  in southeastern Vernon Parish to Alton J. Cain, Sr., and the former Mary Etta Thornton. He graduated from Pitkin High School and obtained his Bachelor of Science and [[Master of Science]] degrees in [[education]] from McNeese State University in [[Lake Charles]], Louisiana.  He played [[basketball]] for the McNeese Cowboys. He served from 1958 to 1960 in the [[United States Army]]. He was a teacher and coach at Beauregard High School from 1962 until 1972. On six occasions, he was the District Coach of the Year. He held the statewide honor twice, and in 1992 was inducted into the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. ​

<ref name=whoswho>"Louisiana: Cain, James David, ''Who's Who in American Politics, 2003-2004,'' 19th ed., Vol. 1 (Alabama-Montana) (Marquis Who's Who: New Providence, [[New Jersey]], 2003), p. 772.</ref>​

<ref name=whoswho>"Louisiana: Cain, James David, ''Who's Who in American Politics, 2003-2004,'' 19th ed., Vol. 1 (Alabama-Montana) (Marquis Who's Who: New Providence, [[New Jersey]], 2003), p. 772.</ref>​

On February 9, 2008, Cain won the seat for Louisiana House District 32 on the Republican State Central Committee in the [[closed primary]] for party offices. He defeated Kennis Paul Smith, 490 (69 percent) to 216 (31 percent) in a low turnout.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/02092008/02092008_MultiParish.html|title=Election Returns|date=February 9, 2008|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=August 5, 2015}}</ref>​

On February 9, 2008, Cain won the seat for Louisiana House District 32 on the Republican State Central Committee in the [[closed primary]] for party offices. He defeated Kennis Paul Smith, 490 (69 percent) to 216 (31 percent) in a low turnout.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/02092008/02092008_MultiParish.html|title=Election Returns|date=February 9, 2008|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=August 5, 2015}}</ref>​

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==2011 state Senate election==​

==2011 state Senate election==

Former Senator Cain in 2011 challenged the reelection of John R. Smith, his successor in the state Senate who like Cain is a convert to the Republican Party. Smith led the primary on October 22, 2011, with 9,808 votes (45.6 percent). Cain trailed with 6,343 (29.5 percent). The two met in the general election held on November 19, 2011. Democrat Terry Fowler held the remaining but critical 5,370 votes (25 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 22, 2011.</ref>

Former Senator Cain in 2011 challenged the reelection of John R. Smith, his successor in the state Senate who like Cain is a convert to the Republican Party. Smith led the primary on October 22, 2011, with 9,808 votes (45.6 percent). Cain trailed with 6,343 (29.5 percent). The two met in the general election held on November 19, 2011. Democrat Terry Fowler held the remaining but critical 5,370 votes (25 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 22, 2011.</ref>