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{{Infobox officeholder

{{Infobox officeholder

| name=Arthur Thomas "Tom" Colten​​

| name=Arthur Thomas "Tom" Colten​​

| nationality=[[United States|American​]]

| nationality=[[United States|American​]]

| office=Mayor of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], [[Louisiana]], USA​

| office=Mayor of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], [[Louisiana]], USA​

| birth_place=[[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]

| birth_place=[[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]

| death_place=[[Frankfort]], [[Kentucky]]​<br>

| death_place=[[Frankfort]], [[Kentucky]]​<br>

Place of interment nor revealed

Place of interment not revealed in either of the obituaries of Tom and Jane Colten

| occupation=[[Newspaper]] [[publisher]]; [[Business]]man​

| occupation=[[Newspaper]] [[publisher]]; [[Business]]man​

| spouse=Jane Kimmel Colten (married 1947-2004, his death) ​

| spouse=Jane Kimmel Colten (married 1947-2004, his death) ​

==The Michigan connection==

==The Michigan connection==

A [[Michigan]] native, Colten was the second of four children born to Arthur Lewis Colten (originally Cohen)  (1893-1938) and the former Judith Ginsberg (1894-1934), a wealthy couple engaged in textile manufacturing, first in [[Detroit]] and then in Grand Haven in Ottawa County on Lake Michigan, where the Coltens built a palatial mansion in nearby Spring Lake. Tom's father became  involved in a labor dispute and was ordered by the National Labor Relations Board to reinstate employees of their Kiddie Kover Manufacturing Company who had been fired in 1937 for unionization activities. Arthur Colten became so despondent over the directive that at the age of forty-five he took his own life with a .32 caliber pistol on a Sunday afternoon in their  Spring Lake home. Only fifteen at the time, Tom Colten rushed to the scene of the tragedy; his father died two hours later in a nearby hospital. Tom was only fifteen at the time. Colten feared that unionization would bankrupt his children's clothing business.<ref>Billy Hathorn, "Arthur Thomas Colten, Minden's "Best Damn Yankee" Republican Mayor: Biography and Analysis, ''North Louisiana History,'' Vol. 50 (Spring 2019), pp. 39-40; hereinafter cited as NLH.</ref>

A [[Michigan]] native, Colten was the second of four children born to Arthur Lewis Colten (originally Cohen)  (1893-1938) and the former Judith Ginsberg (1894-1934), a wealthy couple engaged in textile manufacturing, first in [[Detroit]] and then in Grand Haven in Ottawa County on Lake Michigan, where the Coltens built a palatial mansion in nearby Spring Lake. Tom's father became  involved in a labor dispute and was ordered by the National Labor Relations Board to reinstate employees of their Kiddie Kover Manufacturing Company who had been fired in 1937 for unionization activities. Arthur Colten became so despondent over the directive that at the age of forty-five he took his own life with a .32 caliber pistol on a Sunday afternoon in their  Spring Lake home. Only fifteen at the time, Tom Colten rushed to the scene of the tragedy; his father died two hours later in a nearby hospital. Tom was only fifteen at the time. Colten feared that unionization would bankrupt his children's clothing business.<ref>Billy Hathorn, "Arthur Thomas Colten, Minden's "Best Damn Yankee" Republican Mayor: Biography and Analysis," ''North Louisiana History,'' Vol. 50 (Spring 2019), pp. 39-40; hereinafter cited as NLH.</ref>

Tom's mother, Judith, was the daughter of Bernard Ginsburg; the family later changed the spelling to "Ginsberg." A [[Poland|Polish]]-[[United States|American]], Bernard was engaged in the iron, steel, and heavy metals business in Detroit. Judith graduated Phi Beta Kappa at twenty-one from the [[University of Michigan]] at Ann Arbor.  Judith died when Tom was only eleven years of age. After Judith's death, Arthur Colten soon married Ethel C. Mills (1894-1954), the former wife of the [[Chicago]] industrialist Ellsworth Luther Mills, Sr. (died 1959), and the mother of Tom Colten's two stepsisters. Ethel remarried after Arthur Colten's death; her third husband was a [[New York City]] sports promoter, Arthur "Artie" McGovern (c. 1888-1942).<ref>NLH, pp. 39-43.</ref>

Tom's mother, Judith, was the daughter of Bernard Ginsburg; the family later changed the spelling to "Ginsberg." A [[Poland|Polish]]-[[United States|American]], Bernard was engaged in the iron, steel, and heavy metals business in Detroit. Judith graduated Phi Beta Kappa at twenty-one from the [[University of Michigan]] at Ann Arbor.  Judith died when Tom was only eleven years of age. After Judith's death, Arthur Colten soon married Ethel C. Mills (1894-1954), the former wife of the [[Chicago]] industrialist Ellsworth Luther Mills, Sr. (died 1959), and the mother of Tom Colten's two stepsisters. Ethel remarried after Arthur Colten's death; her third husband was a [[New York City]] sports promoter, Arthur "Artie" McGovern (c. 1888-1942).<ref>NLH, pp. 39-43.</ref>

Colten's family on both sides were active in the [[Jewish]] faith. The funeral of Tom's mother, Judith, was held at Temple Beth-El, a Reform Judaism congregation. His father was a trustee and usher at Beth-El. His maternal aunt, Golda Ginsberg Mayer Krolik (1892-1985),  Judith's sister, was appointed to the Detroit Mayor's Commission on Race Relations. She was society editor of ''The Jewish Chronicle'' and the first woman editor of the University of Michigan student newspaper. She worked in the United Jewish Charities Campaign to bring to the USA twenty-two of her relatives in [[Europe]] who faced the threat of [[Nazi]]sm.<ref>NLH, p. 48-49.</ref> His maternal grandmother, Ida Esther Goldman Ginsburg (1865-1901), the mother of Judith and Golda, was the founding president of the Jewish Women's Club of Temple Beth El, later named the National Council of Jewish Women. Grandfather Bernard Ginsburg  was affiliated with the Jewish organization B'nai B'rith and was the president of United Jewish Charities of Detroit and vice president of the National Conference of Jewish Charities. Paternal grandfather Israel Cohen (1865-1948), who did not change his name to "Colten," was a trustee of Congregation Beth-El.<ref>NLH, p. 44-45.</ref>

Colten's family on both sides were active in the [[Jewish]] faith. The funeral of Tom's mother, Judith, was held at Temple Beth-El, a Reform Judaism congregation. His father was a trustee and usher at Beth-El. His maternal aunt, Golda Ginsberg Mayer Krolik (1892-1985),  Judith's sister, was appointed to the Detroit Mayor's Commission on Race Relations. She was society editor of ''The Jewish Chronicle'' and the first woman editor of the University of Michigan student newspaper. She worked in the United Jewish Charities Campaign to bring to the USA twenty-two of her relatives in [[Europe]] who faced the threat of [[Nazi]]sm.<ref>NLH, p. 48-49.</ref> His maternal grandmother, Ida Esther Goldman Ginsburg (1865-1901), the mother of Judith and Golda, was the founding president of the Jewish Women's Club of Temple Beth El, later named the National Council of Jewish Women. Grandfather Bernard Ginsburg  was affiliated with the Jewish organization B'nai B'rith and was the president of United Jewish Charities of Detroit and vice president of the National Conference of Jewish Charities. Paternal grandfather Israel Cohen (1865-1948), who did not change his name to "Colten," was a trustee of Congregation Beth-El.<ref>NLH, p. 44-45.</ref>

The oldest of the Colten children,  Mary Colten Glodt (1920–2005), later the wife of a [[physician]] in Pittsfield, [[Massachusetts]], took care of her three younger brothers, Arthur Thomas Colten, Jerrold Lewis Colten (1925-1998), and Richard Lee Colten (born 1931), who was only seven years of age when his father died. The household was moved from Grand Haven to 1414 Longfellow Avenue, a two-story residence in Detroit.  There Tom graduated from Detroit High School and soon served in the [[United States Army]]. He was not assigned outside the USA during his military service from 1942 to 1946. After the war, he received his bachelor's degree from DePauw University in Greencastle, [[Indiana]], and was a lifelong promoter of his ''alma mater.''​<ref>NLH, p. 46-49.</ref>

The oldest of the Colten children,  Mary Colten Glodt (1920–2005), later the wife of a [[physician]] in Pittsfield, [[Massachusetts]], took care of her three younger brothers, Arthur Thomas Colten, Jerrold Lewis Colten (1925-1998), and Richard Lee Colten (born 1931), who was only seven years of age when his father died. The household was moved from Grand Haven to 1414 Longfellow Avenue, a two-story residence in Detroit.  There Tom graduated from Detroit High School and soon served in the [[United States Army]]. He was not assigned outside the USA during his military service from 1942 to 1946. After the war, he received his bachelor's degree from DePauw University in Greencastle, [[Indiana]], and was a lifelong promoter of his ''alma mater.''​<ref>NLH, p. 46-49.</ref>

==From Indiana to Louisiana==

==From Indiana to Louisiana==

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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]] to succeed [[Major de Pingre']] as the 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."​

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. ''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>  

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. ''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>​

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=Mount Pleasant, [[South Carolina]]|author=[[John Agan]]|pages=148–149|date=2002|isbn=0-7385-2388-7|accessdate=January 23, 2015}}</ref>​

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In the summer of 1973, Colten resigned as a full-time mayor and converted to part-time status so that he could accept the position of chief executive of the city's private hospital, Minden Medical Center, formerly known as Minden Sanitarium.<ref>"Colten Becomes Part-Time Mayor," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' year-end review edition, January 1, 1974, p. 1.</ref> The change meant that Colten's $12,000 annual salary was cut to $200 per month, the same as for city council members at the time. Had Colten resigned, the senior council member, [[Jack Batton]], whose older brother, [[J. D. Batton]] had been the parish sheriff from 1952 to 1964, would have become mayor for the remainder of Colten's term.<ref>"City Council Appoints Colten Part-Time Mayor," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' August 7, 1973, p. 1.</ref> Colten hence announced that he would not seek a third term in 1974. Then he changed his mind and ran again for the full-time position. This time, Republicans contested most municipal positions.  

In the summer of 1973, Colten resigned as a full-time mayor and converted to part-time status so that he could accept the position of chief executive of the city's private hospital, Minden Medical Center, formerly known as Minden Sanitarium.<ref>"Colten Becomes Part-Time Mayor," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' year-end review edition, January 1, 1974, p. 1.</ref> The change meant that Colten's $12,000 annual salary was cut to $200 per month, the same as for city council members at the time. Had Colten resigned, the senior council member, [[Jack Batton]], whose older brother, [[J. D. Batton]] had been the parish sheriff from 1952 to 1964, would have become mayor for the remainder of Colten's term.<ref>"City Council Appoints Colten Part-Time Mayor," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' August 7, 1973, p. 1.</ref> Colten hence announced that he would not seek a third term in 1974. Then he changed his mind and ran again for the full-time position. This time, Republicans contested most municipal positions.  

In September 1974, some five hundred persons marched on City Hall to protest high utility bills in Minden. The dissidents were responding to the hastily formed Committee for Lower Utilities, headed by Steve Fomby, later a member of the Webster Parish School Board. Some complained that meter readers were staying in their trucks and estimating the readings. A convenience store owner said that if her excessive billing were repeated, she would have to close her doors. Electricity in Minden is sold by the municipality, which uses profits to finance a portion of city government costs.<ref>"Electric Bill Rally Draws 500 to Civic Center," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' September 18, 1974, p. 1.</ref> Colten and the city council did not attend the rally against the utility bills. Colten was on city business in Baton Rouge at the time but said he would have cancelled the trip had he known about the rally.<ref>"Mayor and City Council Won't Attend Utility Bill Rally," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' September 17, 1974, p. 1.</ref>

In September 1974, some five hundred persons marched on City Hall to protest high utility bills in Minden. The dissidents were responding to the hastily formed Committee for Lower Utilities, headed by Henry Steven "Steve" Fomby (1945-2025), later a member of the Webster Parish School Board. Some complained that meter readers were staying in their trucks and estimating the readings. A convenience store owner said that if her excessive billing were repeated, she would have to close her doors. Electricity in Minden is sold by the municipality, which uses profits to finance a portion of city government costs.<ref>"Electric Bill Rally Draws 500 to Civic Center," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' September 18, 1974, p. 1.</ref> Colten and the city council did not attend the rally against the utility bills. Colten was on city business in Baton Rouge at the time but said he would have cancelled the trip had he known about the rally.<ref>"Mayor and City Council Won't Attend Utility Bill Rally," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' September 17, 1974, p. 1.</ref>

==Defeat in 1974==

==Defeat in 1974==

==Building the Louisiana GOP==

==Building the Louisiana GOP==

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As Colten left the office of mayor, the city council presented him with a plaque, "Minden's Best Damn Yankee Republican Mayor."<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' January 2, 1975, p. 1.</ref> Colten was not the first Republican mayor in Louisiana. That designation went to [[Jack Breaux]], who was elected mayor of Zachary in East Baton Rouge Parish in the spring of 1966.<ref>''The Baton Rouge Advocate]],'' January 27, 1980.</ref>​

As Colten left the office of mayor, the city council presented him with a plaque, "Minden's Best Damn Yankee Republican Mayor."<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' January 2, 1975, p. 1.</ref> Colten was not the first Republican mayor in Louisiana. That designation went to [[Jack Breaux]], who was elected mayor of Zachary in East Baton Rouge Parish in the spring of 1966.<ref>''The Baton Rouge Advocate,'' January 27, 1980.</ref>​

Though his Minden newspapers had endorsed Charlton Lyons for governor in 1964,<ref>''Minden Press,'' January 11, 1964.</ref> He did little to encourage other Republicans to run for office and once opposed a Republican candidate for sheriff by convincing the Webster Parish Republican Executive Committee to set the filing fee so high that it would discourage the candidate from running — it did not, however, in that case. Colten hence favored offering only serious candidates, not obscure placeholders to fill a ballot.​

Though his Minden newspapers had endorsed Charlton Lyons for governor in 1964,<ref>''Minden Press,'' January 11, 1964.</ref> He did little to encourage other Republicans to run for office and once opposed a Republican candidate for sheriff by convincing the Webster Parish Republican Executive Committee to set the filing fee so high that it would discourage the candidate from running — it did not, however, in that case. Colten hence favored offering only serious candidates, not obscure placeholders to fill a ballot.​

In 1975, out of the office of mayor and back in his previous role as the executive director of the Minden Chamber of Commerce,<ref name=backtochamber>"Colten is selected new chamber director," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' February 25, 1975, p. 1</ref> Colten was named to a two-year term  to the advisory council of the Small Business Administration by administrator Thomas S. Kleppe, a former U. S. Representative from [[North Dakota]] and later the [[United States Secretary of Agriculture]].<ref>"Colten gets SBA term," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' October 28, 1975, p. 3A.</ref>

In 1975, out of the office of mayor and back in his previous role as the executive director of the Minden Chamber of Commerce,<ref name=backtochamber>"Colten is selected new chamber director," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' February 25, 1975, p. 1</ref> Colten was named to a two-year term  to the advisory council of the Small Business Administration by administrator Thomas S. Kleppe, a former U. S. Representative from [[North Dakota]] and later the [[United States Secretary of Agriculture]].<ref>"Colten gets SBA term," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' October 28, 1975, p. 3A.</ref>

In 1978, Colten accepted the position in Baton Rouge of general manager of the newly formed trade association, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, under president [[Ed Steimel]], which had lobbied for the state [[right-to-work]] law in 1976.<ref>"Colten slated," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' January 31, 1978, p. 1.</ref> On November 1, 1985, Colten was appointed by the Louisiana Republican State Central Committee]], of which he had previously been an elected member, to the paid executive director position. The party chairman at the time was [[George Despot]] of Shreveport.<ref>"Colten Assumes GOP Post," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' October 21, 1985.</ref>​

In 1978, Colten accepted the position in Baton Rouge of general manager of the newly formed trade association, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, under president [[Ed Steimel]], which had lobbied for the state [[right-to-work]] law in 1976.<ref>"Colten slated," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' January 31, 1978, p. 1.</ref> On November 1, 1985, Colten was appointed by the Louisiana Republican State Central Committee, of which he had previously been an elected member, to the paid executive director position. The party chairman at the time was [[George Despot]] of Shreveport.<ref>"Colten Assumes GOP Post," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' October 21, 1985.</ref>​

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==Department of Transportation and Development==

==Department of Transportation and Development==

In 1980, Governor Treen appointed Colten as the assistant secretary to Paul Jude Hardy, who had been newly named as the secretary for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Hardy was a former Louisiana secretary of state who had been an unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate in 1979.<ref>A Democrat-turned-Republican, Hardy was later elected lieutenant governor in 1987 — the first Republican elected to that position since [[Reconstruction]].</ref>  

In 1980, Governor Treen appointed Colten as the assistant secretary to [[Paul Hardy]] who had been newly named as the secretary for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Hardy was a former Louisiana secretary of state who had been an unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate in 1979.<ref>A Democrat-turned-Republican, Hardy was later elected lieutenant governor in 1987 — the first Republican elected to that position since [[Reconstruction]].</ref>  

When Hardy left the top transportation post, Treen elevated Colten to secretary of the department. His services were then retained by Governor Edwin Edwards. He also served a second stint as assistant secretary of DOTD under Governor [[Buddy Roemer]], with Neil Lassion Wagoner (1936-2018) of Baton Rouge as the secretary. Colten in effect was came the point man on state highways, and elected officials depended on his expertise.<ref>Joey White, "Colten: Roemer's future depends on Oct. 7 vote?," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' October 6, 1989, p. 1.</ref>

When Hardy left the top transportation post, Treen elevated Colten to secretary of the department. His services were then retained by Governor Edwin Edwards. He also served a second stint as assistant secretary of DOTD under Governor [[Buddy Roemer]], with Neil Lassion Wagoner (1936-2018) of Baton Rouge as the secretary. Colten in effect was came the point man on state highways, and elected officials depended on his expertise.<ref>Joey White, "Colten: Roemer's future depends on Oct. 7 vote?," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' October 6, 1989, p. 1.</ref>

In 2018, [[Terry Gardner]], a Democrat-turned-Republican, became the fourth member of the GOP to hold the Minden mayoral office. ​

In 2018, [[Terry Gardner]], a Democrat-turned-Republican, became the fourth member of the GOP to hold the Minden mayoral office. ​

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==References==

==References==

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