Changes

Womack's closest election was in 1964, when fellow Democrat [[L. D. Knox]], a Winnsboro farmer and timber owner, came within 18 votes of unseating Womack, 3,544 to 3,526. Knox later legally changed his name to "None of the Above" Knox so that as a perennial candidate he could argue for the "None of the Above" option on ballots for those who reject all the declared candidates.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/29/us/29knox.html|title=L. D. Knox, Who Tried to Give Voters a Choice, Dies at 80|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=May 28, 2009|accessdate=June 6, 2009}}</ref>​

Womack's closest election was in 1964, when fellow Democrat [[L. D. Knox]], a Winnsboro farmer and timber owner, came within 18 votes of unseating Womack, 3,544 to 3,526. Knox later legally changed his name to "None of the Above" Knox so that as a perennial candidate he could argue for the "None of the Above" option on ballots for those who reject all the declared candidates.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/29/us/29knox.html|title=L. D. Knox, Who Tried to Give Voters a Choice, Dies at 80|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=May 28, 2009|accessdate=June 6, 2009}}</ref>​

In the [[general election]] held on February 1, 1972, Womack faced his first ever [[Republican Party|Republican]] opponent, Terry Clingan (1918–2007), a barber in Mangham in Richland Parish, later from Baskin in Franklin Parish. Womack won the race by a 67-33 percent margin, even though Republican [[Governor|gubernatorial]] candidate [[David C. Treen]] ran particularly well in northeast Louisiana that year. Clingan was the stepfather of [[Robert Max Ross]], a businessman from Mangham,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/dclassifieds?Dato=20090917&Kategori=OBITUARY&Class=30&Type=CAT30200&Lopenr=90900159&Selected=3|title=Obituary of Robert Max Ross|publisher=''Monroe News Star''|accessdate=September 17, 2009; no longer on-line}}</ref> who had been Treen's only opponent in Louisiana's first and only Republican [[primary]] for governor, held in December 1971.​

In the [[general election]] held on February 1, 1972, Womack faced his first ever [[Republican Party|Republican]] opponent, Terry Clingan (1918–2007), a barber in Mangham in Richland Parish, later from Baskin in Franklin Parish. Womack won the race by a 67-33 percent margin, even though Republican [[Governor|gubernatorial]] candidate [[David C. Treen]] ran particularly well in northeast Louisiana that year. Clingan was the stepfather of [[Robert Max Ross]], a businessman from Mangham,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/dclassifieds?Dato=20090917&Kategori=OBITUARY&Class=30&Type=CAT30200&Lopenr=90900159&Selected=3|title=Obituary of Robert Max Ross|publisher=''[[onroe News Star]]''|accessdate=September 17, 2009; no longer on-line}}</ref> who had been Treen's only opponent in Louisiana's first and only Republican [[primary]] for governor, held in December 1971.​

In the summer of 1972, Womack was elected on a nonpartisan ballot to the state constitutional convention that met in 1973. The convention wrote the new Louisiana Constitution, which voters adopted in the spring of 1974, at the urging of then Governor [[Edwin Edwards]]. Womack defeated [[John Henry Baker]], III, a Republican leader in Franklin Parish, for the delegate position. Ironically, in his early years, Womack had worked for Baker's father, John Henry Baker, II. These turned out to have been the last elections in which Womack emerged as a winner.​

In the summer of 1972, Womack was elected on a nonpartisan ballot to the state constitutional convention that met in 1973. The convention wrote the new Louisiana Constitution, which voters adopted in the spring of 1974, at the urging of then Governor [[Edwin Edwards]]. Womack defeated [[John Henry Baker]], III, a Republican leader in Franklin Parish, for the delegate position. Ironically, in his early years, Womack had worked for Baker's father, John Henry Baker, II. These turned out to have been the last elections in which Womack emerged as a winner.​

A popular legislator, Womack stressed constituent service during his legislative years. Mrs. Womack was active in a volunteer service group of legislative wives. A well-known hostess and cook, she entertained friends, family, and her husband's constituents. In his first term as governor, [[John J.  McKeithen]] appointed his Womack to the Louisiana Financial Assistance Commission.​

A popular legislator, Womack stressed constituent service during his legislative years. Mrs. Womack was active in a volunteer service group of legislative wives. A well-known hostess and cook, she entertained friends, family, and her husband's constituents. In his first term as governor, [[John J.  McKeithen]] appointed his Womack to the Louisiana Financial Assistance Commission.​

Womack did not seek legislative reelection in the  first-ever nonpartisan blanket primary held on November 1, 1975. Instead, he ran unsuccessfully in the primary for Louisiana agriculture commissioner, having polled 133,270 votes statewide.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' November 3, 1975, p. 1.</ref> The winner of the race was Gilbert Lynel "Gil" Dozier (1934-2013). Incumbent David L. "Dave" Pearce (1905-1984), who like Womack was originally from West Carroll Parish, was accused of wrongdoing in office and withdrew from the balloting. That move left Dozier unopposed for the general election. In the legislature, Womack was succeeded by fellow Democrat [[Lanny Johnson]], who, from 2004 to 2019 was the Franklin Parish school superintendent, amid a time of school financial crises. Johnson still resides in St. Joseph in  Tensas Parish.​<ref name=house/>

Womack did not seek legislative reelection in the  first-ever nonpartisan blanket primary held on November 1, 1975. Instead, he ran unsuccessfully in the primary for Louisiana agriculture commissioner, having polled 133,270 votes statewide.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' November 3, 1975, p. 1.</ref> The winner of the race was [[Gil Dozier|Gilbert Lynel "Gil" Dozier]]. Incumbent [[Dave L. Pearce]], who like Womack was originally from West Carroll Parish, was accused of wrongdoing in office and withdrew from the balloting. That move left Dozier unopposed for the general election. In the legislature, Womack was succeeded by fellow Democrat [[Lanny Johnson]], who, from 2004 to 2019 was the Franklin Parish school superintendent, amid a time of school financial crises. Johnson still resides in St. Joseph in  Tensas Parish.​<ref name=house/>

The Womacks had a daughter, Freida Louise Womack (born 1943), a resident of Longview, Texas, and two nieces, Jeanette Black Allbritton, also of Longview, and Alice Black Jones of Winnsboro.<ref name=mrswomackobit/>

The Womacks had a daughter, Freida Louise Womack (born 1943), a resident of Longview, Texas, and two nieces, Jeanette Black Allbritton, also of Longview, and Alice Black Jones of Winnsboro.<ref name=mrswomackobit/>