Changes

==Political career==

==Political career==

When [[Edward Kennon]], a native of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], stepped down after two terms on the now five-member Public Service Commission, Owen, a [[Democratic Parrty|

When [[Edward Kennon]], a native of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], stepped down after two terms on the now five-member Public Service Commission, Owen, a [[Democratic Party|

Democrat]], entered the race to succeed him. He was elected in 1984, 1990, and 1996. In 1990, Owen defeated an [[Independent]] candidate named "Charlie Brown", 179,712 (78.4 percent) to 49,385 (21.6 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10061990/10061990_MultiParish.html|title=Primary election returns, October 6, 1990|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=July 2, 2012}}</ref> In 1996, in a near image of the 1990 results, Owen defeated another Independent, Jim Crowley, 142,799 votes (74.5 percent) to 49,018 (25.6 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/09211996/09211996_MultiParish.html|title=Primary election returns, September 21, 1996|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=July 2, 2012}}</ref>

Democrat]], entered the race to succeed him. He was elected in 1984, 1990, and 1996. In 1990, Owen defeated an [[Independent]] candidate named "Charlie Brown", 179,712 (78.4 percent) to 49,385 (21.6 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10061990/10061990_MultiParish.html|title=Primary election returns, October 6, 1990|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=July 2, 2012}}</ref> In 1996, in a near image of the 1990 results, Owen defeated another Independent, Jim Crowley, 142,799 votes (74.5 percent) to 49,018 (25.6 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/09211996/09211996_MultiParish.html|title=Primary election returns, September 21, 1996|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=July 2, 2012}}</ref>