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→From Indiana to Louisiana
==From Indiana to Louisiana==
==From Indiana to Louisiana==
In 1947, Colten married the former Jane Kimmel (1923-2013), and the newlyweds first settled in [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]], but in 1948 they relocated to Bogalusa in Washington Parish in southeastern Louisiana. There Colten became the business manager and stockholder of ''The Bogalusa Daily News.'' Colten left that position in 1955 and relocated to [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish in northwestern Louisiana, to become publisher of what became the daily ''Minden Press-Herald,'' which at the time consisted of two separate weekly papers, the ''Minden Press'' on Mondays and the ''Minden Herald'' on Thursdays. Major (not a military title) Louis dePingre' was the editor of the papers at the time and later entered business in Minden. As publisher, Colten was active in civic affairs and became well known in the community. He was initially in partnership in Minden Newspapers with Charles A. Nutter of New Orleans but purchased Nutter's half of the company on January 29, 1962. Nutter became for a short time the executive secretary of [[Hallmark Cards]] in [[Kansas City]], [[Missouri]].<ref>''Minden Press,'' January 29, 1962, p.1.</ref><ref>''Minden Herald,'' February 1, 1962, p. 2.</ref>
In 1947, Colten married the former Jane Kimmel (1923-2013), and the newlyweds first settled in [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]], but in 1948 they relocated to Bogalusa in Washington Parish in southeastern Louisiana. There Colten became the business manager and stockholder of ''The Bogalusa Daily News.'' Colten left that position in 1955 and relocated to [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish in northwestern Louisiana, to become publisher of what became the daily ''Minden Press-Herald,'' which at the time consisted of two separate weekly papers, the ''Minden Press'' on Mondays and the ''Minden Herald'' on Thursdays. Major (not a military title) Louis dePingre' was the editor of the papers at the time and later entered business in Minden. As publisher, Colten was active in civic affairs and became well known in the community. He was initially in partnership in Minden Newspapers with Charles A. Nutter of New Orleans but purchased Nutter's half of the company on January 29, 1962. Nutter became for a short time the executive secretary of [[Hallmark Cards]] in [[Kansas City]], [[Missouri]].<ref>''Minden Press,'' January 29, 1962, p.1.</ref><ref>''Minden Herald,'' February 1, 1962, p. 2.</ref>
In 1960, Colten named [[Charles Maple]] as news editor of both ''The Press'' and ''The Herald.'' Maple came to Minden from Murfreesboro, [[Arkansas]], where he had been publisher and editor of ''The Pike County Press."<ref>''Minden Press,'' November 14, 1960, p. 1.</ref> In 1963, Colten was named "Boss of the Year" in Minden.<ref name=backtochamber/> He sold the ''Press-Herald'' in 1965 and became the executive director of the Minden [[Chamber of Commerce]] until June 1966, when he announced his candidacy for mayor.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' June 12, 1966, p. 1.</ref> Maple served a stint as the chamber director to succeed Colten beginning in September 1966.<ref>"Maple Named to Chamber Post," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' August 1, 1966, p. 1.</ref>
In 1960, Colten named [[Charles Maple]] as news editor of both ''The Press'' and ''The Herald.'' Maple came to Minden from Murfreesboro, [[Arkansas]], where he had been publisher and editor of ''The Pike County Press."<ref>''Minden Press,'' November 14, 1960, p. 1.</ref> In 1963, Colten was named "Boss of the Year" in Minden.<ref name=backtochamber/> He sold the ''Press-Herald'' in 1965 and became the executive director of the Minden [[Chamber of Commerce]] until June 1966, when he announced his candidacy for mayor.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' June 12, 1966, p. 1.</ref> Maple served a stint as the chamber director to succeed Colten beginning in September 1966.<ref>"Maple Named to Chamber Post," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' August 1, 1966, p. 1.</ref>
''The Press-Herald'' was published twice weekly, but it became a daily on July 18, 1966, with an accent still on local news.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' July 18, 1966, p. 1.</ref> "He [Colten] set an example for all who follow in his footsteps at ''The Press-Herald,'' said the then ''Press-Herald'' editor and publisher Josh Beavers. "He published a fine product every press run and we strive to emulate his success daily."
''The Press-Herald'' was published twice weekly, but it became a daily on July 18, 1966, with an accent still on local news.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' July 18, 1966, p. 1.</ref> "He [Colten] set an example for all who follow in his footsteps at ''The Press-Herald,'' said the then ''Press-Herald'' editor and publisher Josh Beavers. "He published a fine product every press run and we strive to emulate his success daily."
In 1964, Colten was named president of the Minden Chamber of Commerce.<ref>''Minden Press,'' March 16, 1964, p. 1.</ref> That same year, he was president of the Louisiana Press Association. In 1967, as the newly elected mayor, he was named "Minden Man of the Year."<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' October 2, 1970, p. 1.</ref>
In 1964, Colten was named president of the Minden Chamber of Commerce.<ref>''Minden Press,'' March 16, 1964, p. 1.</ref> That same year, he was president of the Louisiana Press Association. In 1967, as the newly elected mayor, he was named "Minden Man of the Year."<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' October 2, 1970, p. 1.</ref>
==Small-town politics==
==Small-town politics==
Unlike many northern Republican transplants to Louisiana who became [[Democratic Party|Democrats]] so that they could participate in the state's then pivotal closed [[primary]] elections, Colten maintained Republican affiliation and could hence vote only in [[general election]]s or in [[special election]]s. In June 1966, Colten announced his candidacy for mayor of Minden, a position once held by a former Democratic governor, [[Robert F. Kennon]]. Minden has also produced five congressmen, including Democrat Thomas Jerald Huckaby, who graduated from Minden High School in 1959. But Huckaby's Fifth Congressional District, which he represented from 1977 to 1993, never included Webster Parish until Huckaby's defeat and then only temporarily.
Unlike many northern Republican transplants to Louisiana who became [[Democratic Party|Democrats]] so that they could participate in the state's then pivotal closed [[primary]] elections, Colten maintained Republican affiliation and could hence vote only in [[general election]]s or in [[special election]]s. In June 1966, Colten announced his candidacy for mayor of Minden, a position once held by a former Democratic governor, [[Robert F. Kennon]]. Minden has also produced five congressmen, including Democrat Thomas Jerald Huckaby, who graduated from Minden High School in 1959. But Huckaby's Fifth Congressional District, which he represented from 1977 to 1993, never included Webster Parish until Huckaby's defeat and then only temporarily.
Colten ran a "reform" campaign, claiming that he wanted to get Minden "moving," implying that the two-term incumbent, [[Frank T. Norman]], who had also backed Goldwater for president, had been too passive during his two terms as mayor from 1958 to 1966 and as public safety commissioner from 1952 to 1958, had been too passive. Colten never used the "R" label. In fact, the ''Press-Herald'' on the day after the general election referred to Colten merely as "the challenger," with no mention of party affiliation. Colten received 2,044 votes (55.8 percent) to Norman's 1,622 (44.2 percent).<ref>"Tom Colten Elected Mayor of Minden: Challenger Takes Seven of Ten City Precincts to Win in General Election," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' November 9, 1966, p. 1.</ref> Norman had been handicapped in the race in part because a black candidate for mayor named J. D. Hampton, Jr. (1935-2015) — the first black mayoral candidate in city history — had opposed him in the Democratic primary held on August 13, 1966. Norman drew 70 percent of the vote in that exchange but fell short in November against Colten.<ref>''The Minden Press-Herald,'' August 15, 1966, p. 1.</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=XvKBQuetARQC&pg=PA148&lpg=PA148&dq=Frank+Norman+of+Minden,+LA&source=web&ots=uxQlqgp7_M&sig=4qQKWz-rZrUFOZRsmPPZwxD3lPQ&hl=en#PPA148,M1|title=Minden: Perseverance and Pride|publisher=Arcadia Publishing Company|location=[[Columbia]], [[South Carolina]]|author=John A. Agan|pages=148–149|date=2002|isbn=0-7385-2388-7|accessdate=January 23, 2015}}</ref>
Colten ran a "reform" campaign, claiming that he wanted to get Minden "moving," implying that the two-term incumbent, [[Frank T. Norman]], who had also backed Goldwater for president, had been too passive during his two terms as mayor from 1958 to 1966 and as public safety commissioner from 1952 to 1958, had been too passive. Colten never used the "R" label. In fact, the ''Press-Herald'' on the day after the general election referred to Colten merely as "the challenger," with no mention of party affiliation. Colten received 2,044 votes (55.8 percent) to Norman's 1,622 (44.2 percent).<ref>"Tom Colten Elected Mayor of Minden: Challenger Takes Seven of Ten City Precincts to Win in General Election," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' November 9, 1966, p. 1.</ref> Norman had been handicapped in the race in part because a black candidate for mayor named J. D. Hampton, Jr. (1935-2015) — the first black mayoral candidate in city history — had opposed him in the Democratic primary held on August 13, 1966. Norman drew 70 percent of the vote in that exchange but fell short in November against Colten.<ref>''The Minden Press-Herald,'' August 15, 1966, p. 1.</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=XvKBQuetARQC&pg=PA148&lpg=PA148&dq=Frank+Norman+of+Minden,+LA&source=web&ots=uxQlqgp7_M&sig=4qQKWz-rZrUFOZRsmPPZwxD3lPQ&hl=en#PPA148,M1|title=Minden: Perseverance and Pride|publisher=Arcadia Publishing Company|location=[[Columbia]], [[South Carolina]]|author=John A. Agan|pages=148–149|date=2002|isbn=0-7385-2388-7|accessdate=January 23, 2015}}</ref>
==First term as Minden mayor==
==First term as Minden mayor==