Changes

|term_start=January 14, 2008​

|term_start=January 14, 2008​

|term_end=January 9, 2012​

|term_end=January 9, 2012​

|preceded=Thomas Taylor Townsend​

|preceded=[[Taylor Townsend​]]

|succeeded=Kenny Ray Cox​

|succeeded=[[Kenny Ray Cox​]]

|office2=President of [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches Parish]]​

|office2=President of [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches Parish]]​

|term_start2=January 2013 ​

|term_start2=January 2013 ​

Nowlin was born to Louis M. Nowlin (November 16, 1918 &ndash; July 1, 2001) and Jocie R. Nowlin (May 21, 1921 &ndash; August 30, 2000). He, his brother, and two sisters were reared in Ferriday, a city in Concordia Parish near the [[Mississippi River]]. Nowlin graduated from Ferriday High School in 1966. One of Nowlin's high school classmates, [[Dan Richey]], later served in both house of the legislature from 1976 to 1984. In his initial election, Nowlin secured the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35299.html|title=Small Business Endorses Rick Nowlin in House District 23|publisher=FIB.com|accessdate=no longer on-line}}</ref>

Nowlin was born to Louis M. Nowlin (November 16, 1918 &ndash; July 1, 2001) and Jocie R. Nowlin (May 21, 1921 &ndash; August 30, 2000). He, his brother, and two sisters were reared in Ferriday, a city in Concordia Parish near the [[Mississippi River]]. Nowlin graduated from Ferriday High School in 1966. One of Nowlin's high school classmates, [[Dan Richey]], later served in both house of the legislature from 1976 to 1984. In his initial election, Nowlin secured the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35299.html|title=Small Business Endorses Rick Nowlin in House District 23|publisher=FIB.com|accessdate=no longer on-line}}</ref>

Nowlin attended [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]], from which he received in 1971 a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=93694|title=Rep. Rick Nowlin Biography|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=October 24, 2019}}</ref> He was a member of Eta Kappa Nu honor electrical society, Sigma Nu social fraternity, which endorsed Nowlin in the legislative campaign,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sigmanu-tazeta.com/article/193|title= Rick Nowlin for state representative|publisher=Sigma Nu Fraternity, Eta Zeta chapter, Louisiana Tech University|date=2007; no longer on-line}}</ref> and Omicron Delta Kappa honor society. He was listed in ''Who's Who in American College and Universities''. The next year, Nowlin procured a Master of Business Administration degree with honors from Louisiana Tech and was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma honor business society.<ref name="ricknowlin.com">[http://www.ricknowlin.com/ Rick Nowlin for Louisiana State Representative - District 23<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Nowlin attended [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]], from which he received in 1971 a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=93694|title=Rep. Rick Nowlin Biography|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=October 24, 2019}}</ref> He was a member of Eta Kappa Nu honor electrical society, Sigma Nu social fraternity, which endorsed Nowlin in the legislative campaign,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sigmanu-tazeta.com/article/193|title= Rick Nowlin for state representative|publisher=Sigma Nu Fraternity, Eta Zeta chapter, Louisiana Tech University|date=2007; no longer on-line}}</ref> and Omicron Delta Kappa honor society. He was listed in ''Who's Who in American College and Universities''. The next year, Nowlin procured a Master of Business Administration degree with honors from Louisiana Tech and was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma honor business society.<ref name="ricknowlin.com">[http://www.ricknowlin.com/ Rick Nowlin for Louisiana State Representative - District 23<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

==Legislative election, 2007==

==Legislative election, 2007==

District 23 became a majority African American district in the 2011 [[redistricting]] based upon the 2010 [[census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20111023/NEWS01/310230008/Hazel-re-elected-House-District-27-Harris-wins-House-District-25-seat|title=Hazel re-elected in House Distrrict 27; Harris wins House District 25|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk'|date=October 23, 2011|accessdate=October 24, 2011; no longer on-line}}</ref>

District 23 became a majority African American district in the 2011 [[redistricting]] based upon the 2010 [[census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20111023/NEWS01/310230008/Hazel-re-elected-House-District-27-Harris-wins-House-District-25-seat|title=Hazel re-elected in House Distrrict 27; Harris wins House District 25|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk'|date=October 23, 2011|accessdate=October 24, 2011; no longer on-line}}</ref>

In the general election held on November 19, 2011, Nowlin was unseated by the Democrat Kenny Ray Cox, a decorated retired lieutenant colonel in the [[United States Army]] from Mansfield in DeSoto Parish. Cox received 5,556 votes (53.4 percent) to Nowlin's 4,847 (46.6 percent). Nowlin won by some nine hundred votes in Natchitoches Parish but lost decisively in DeSoto and Red River parishes.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 19, 2011.</ref>

In the general election held on November 19, 2011, Nowlin was unseated by the African-American Democrat [[Kenny Ray Cox]], a decorated retired lieutenant colonel in the [[United States Army]] from Mansfield in DeSoto Parish. Cox received 5,556 votes (53.4 percent) to Nowlin's 4,847 (46.6 percent). Nowlin won by some nine hundred votes in Natchitoches Parish but lost decisively in DeSoto and Red River parishes.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 19, 2011.</ref>

    

    

Earlier in the October 22 primary, Nowlin had narrowly led with 5,662 votes (43.6 percent), and Cox trailed with 5,506 votes (42.4 percent). Democrat Ralph Wilson, who also sought the seat in 2007, held the remaining but critical 1,805 ballots (13.9 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 22, 2011.</ref>

Earlier in the October 22 primary, Nowlin had narrowly led with 5,662 votes (43.6 percent), and Cox trailed with 5,506 votes (42.4 percent). Democrat Ralph Wilson, who also sought the seat in 2007, held the remaining but critical 1,805 ballots (13.9 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 22, 2011.</ref>