Changes

Fowler faced little difficulty in being reelected in the primaries held in 1983, 1987, 1991 or 1995. In 1987, his tally exceeded one million votes: 1,079,851 (83 percent) against fellow Democrat James Alan "Jim" Rentz (1933–2011), a native of [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]] and a [[United States Navy]] veteran of the [[Korean War]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obituary.aspx?n=james-alan-rentz-jim&pid=148637757|title=James Alan "Jim" Rentz|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate,'' February 15, 2011|accessdate=February 15, 2011}}</ref> who polled 217,886 ballots (17 percent).<ref>Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 24, 1987.</ref> Like Fowler, Rentz was a former professional football player. He was a former employee of the Louisiana Department of Education in Baton Rouge, where he had long resided.<ref>"Rentz challenging Fowler," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' October 23, 1987, p. 3A.</ref>

Fowler faced little difficulty in being reelected in the primaries held in 1983, 1987, 1991 or 1995. In 1987, his tally exceeded one million votes: 1,079,851 (83 percent) against fellow Democrat James Alan "Jim" Rentz (1933–2011), a native of [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]] and a [[United States Navy]] veteran of the [[Korean War]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obituary.aspx?n=james-alan-rentz-jim&pid=148637757|title=James Alan "Jim" Rentz|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate,'' February 15, 2011|accessdate=February 15, 2011}}</ref> who polled 217,886 ballots (17 percent).<ref>Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 24, 1987.</ref> Like Fowler, Rentz was a former professional football player. He was a former employee of the Louisiana Department of Education in Baton Rouge, where he had long resided.<ref>"Rentz challenging Fowler," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' October 23, 1987, p. 3A.</ref>

In 1991, Republican Steve Young challenged Fowler in the primary but also fared poorly. Fowler received 940,309 votes (72 percent) to Young's 372,480 (28 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 19, 1991.</ref> In 1995, Fowler won again over Republican candidate Wray M. Anderson (born 1953) of Mandeville in St. Tammany Parish: 954,076 (75 percent) to 323,422 (25 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 21, 1995.</ref>​ Anderson was cited for failure to file a campaign finance reform.<ref>2000 - 172 W. Anderson, Domino.ethics.state.la.us, accessed August 21, 2019</ref>

In 1991, Republican Steve Young challenged Fowler in the primary but also fared poorly. Fowler received 940,309 votes (72 percent) to Young's 372,480 (28 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 19, 1991.</ref> In 1995, Fowler won again over Republican candidate Wray M. Anderson (born 1953) of Mandeville in St. Tammany Parish: 954,076 (75 percent) to 323,422 (25 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 21, 1995.</ref>​ Anderson was cited for failure to file a campaign finance return.

==Defeat in 1999 primary==

==Defeat in 1999 primary==