Changes

|term_end2=January 31, 2012​

|term_end2=January 31, 2012​

|preceded2=New judgeship​

|preceded2=New judgeship​

|succeeded2=Joe Bleich (interim)<br>​

|succeeded2=Joe Bleich (interim)​

[[Mike Nerren]] (permanent)​

[[Mike Nerren]] (permanent)​

|birth_date=September 28, 1950​

|birth_date=September 28, 1950​

==Background==

==Background==

Bolin is one of four children of Judge James E. Bolin, Sr. (1914-2002), and the former Mary Eloise Martin (1913–2007). He was born in Springhill, where his parents were then residing. He graduated in 1968 from [[Minden (Louisiana) High School]]. He was a [[basketball]] manager and [[golf]]er in high school.<ref>Minden High School, 1968 yearbook.</ref> Bolin procured his undergraduate degree from [[Louisiana State University]] and his legal credentials from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, both in [[Baton Rouge]].<ref>"Louisiana: Bolin, Bruce Martin, ''Who's Who in American Politics, 2003-2004'', 19th ed., Vol. 1 (Alabama-Montana) (Marquis Who's Who: New Providence,  [[New Jersey]], 2003), p. 770.</ref> His brother, James E. Bolin, Jr. (born 1941), is a practicing [[attorney]] in [[Shreveport]]. He also has two sisters, Beth Bolin Falk and Becky Bolin Maupin.<ref>Obituary of Mary Eloise Martin Bolin, ''[[Minden Press-Herald]],'' September 25, 2007.</ref>​

Bolin is one of four children of Judge James E. Bolin, Sr. (1914-2002), and the former Mary Eloise Martin (1913–2007). He was born in Springhill, where his parents were then residing. He graduated in 1968 from [[Minden (Louisiana) High School]]. He was a [[basketball]] manager and [[golf]]er in high school.<ref>Minden High School, 1968 yearbook.</ref> Bolin procured his undergraduate degree from [[Louisiana State University]] and his legal credentials from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, both in [[Baton Rouge]].<ref>"Louisiana: Bolin, Bruce Martin, ''Who's Who in American Politics, 2003-2004'', 19th ed., Vol. 1 (Alabama-Montana) (Marquis Who's Who: New Providence,  [[New Jersey]], 2003), p. 770.</ref> His brother, James E. Bolin, Jr. (born 1941), is a practicing [[attorney]] in [[Shreveport]]. He also has two sisters, Beth Bolin Falk and Becky Bolin Maupin.<ref>Obituary of Mary Eloise Martin Bolin, ''[[Minden Press-Herald]],'' September 25, 2007.</ref>​

Early in his career, Bolin practiced law and served on the indigent defender board in Minden.​

Early in his career, Bolin practiced law and served on the indigent defender board in Minden.​

In the runoff held on December 16, Bolin prevailed, 2,698 (59.5 percent) to Kirkikis' 1,833 (40.5 percent). He hence took office on January 1, 1979, for the fifteen months remaining in Drew's unexpired term.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' December 17, 1978.</ref>​

In the runoff held on December 16, Bolin prevailed, 2,698 (59.5 percent) to Kirkikis' 1,833 (40.5 percent). He hence took office on January 1, 1979, for the fifteen months remaining in Drew's unexpired term.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' December 17, 1978.</ref>​

Bolin's father had held the same House seat from 1940 to 1944. Bolin served as representative for  nearly a dozen years; he was unopposed for his last term in 1987. He resigned late in 1990, when he was elected to the state district judgeship. The senior Bolin had held that post too — from 1952 to 1960.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasc.org/community_outreach/in_memoriam/bolin_james.asp|title=In Memoriam: Retired Second Circuit Judge James E. Bolin|publisher=Louisiana Supreme Court|accessdate=January 15, 2020}}</ref>​ Bolin was elected to full House terms in 1979, 1983, and in 1987. In the 1983 campaign, [[U.S. Senator]] [[J. Bennett Johnston, Jr.]], then [[U.S. Representative]]s  Thomas Jerald "Jerry" Huckaby and [[Buddy Roemer]], then state House [[Speaker]] John Joseph Hainkel, Jr. (1938-2005), and then state Representative and later state Senator Robert Roy Adley headlined a testimonial dinner and fundraiser for Bolin held at the Minden Civic Center and attended by some one thousand supporters though he had no opponent that year.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' March 28, 1983, p. 1.</ref>He ran unopposed as well in 1987, when he won his third full term which he did not complete.

Bolin's father had held the same House seat from 1940 to 1944. Bolin served as representative for  nearly a dozen years; he was unopposed for his last term in 1987. He resigned late in 1990, when he was elected to the state district judgeship. The senior Bolin had held that post too — from 1952 to 1960.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasc.org/community_outreach/in_memoriam/bolin_james.asp|title=In Memoriam: Retired Second Circuit Judge James E. Bolin|publisher=Louisiana Supreme Court|accessdate=January 15, 2020}}</ref>​ Bolin was elected to full House terms in 1979, 1983, and in 1987. In the 1983 campaign, [[U.S. Senator]] [[J. Bennett Johnston, Jr.]], then [[U.S. Representative]]s  Thomas Jerald "Jerry" Huckaby and [[Buddy Roemer]], then state House [[Speaker]] [[John Hainkel|John Joseph Hainkel, Jr.]], and then state Representative and later state Senator Robert Roy Adley headlined a testimonial dinner and fundraiser for Bolin held at the Minden Civic Center and attended by some one thousand supporters though he had no opponent that year.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' March 28, 1983, p. 1.</ref>He ran unopposed as well in 1987, when he won his third full term which he did not complete.

In the House, Bolin voted 55 percent from 1979 to 1984 with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. In 1984 alone, LABI ranked him 32 percent favorable. He opposed efforts by [[organized labor]] to repeal the state [[right to work]] law.<ref>"State voting record disappoints LABI," ''Minden Press-Herald,', October 17, 1984, pp. 1, 16.</ref>

In the House, Bolin voted 55 percent from 1979 to 1984 with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. In 1984 alone, LABI ranked him 32 percent favorable. He opposed efforts by [[organized labor]] to repeal the state [[right to work]] law.<ref>"State voting record disappoints LABI," ''Minden Press-Herald,', October 17, 1984, pp. 1, 16.</ref>