Changes

==Political life==

==Political life==

In 2001, Simpson succeeded the retiring [[Tom Ed McHugh]] as Mayor-President by defeating Melvin "Kip" Holden, an [[African American]] [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] in the 2000 [[general election]]. Holden then unseated Simpson in 2004 and was easily reelected in the nonpartisan blanket primary in 2008. Simpson did not seek a comeback; instead Holden was opposed by two other Republican candidates, Metro council member Wayne Carter and the former Louisiana legislative auditor and [[Louisiana State University]] [[professor]] [[Dan Kyle]].​

In 2001, Simpson succeeded the retiring [[Tom Ed McHugh]] as Mayor-President by defeating Melvin "Kip" Holden (1952-2025), an [[African American]] [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] in the 2000 [[general election]]. Holden then unseated Simpson in 2004 and was easily reelected in the nonpartisan blanket primary in 2008. Simpson did not seek a comeback; instead Holden was opposed by two other Republican candidates, Metro council member Wayne Carter and the former Louisiana legislative auditor and [[Louisiana State University]] [[professor]] [[Dan Kyle]].​

Simpson was elected mayor of Baker in 1992 over the Democrat Frank C. Blackburn. In the primary, he led with 1,997 (32.4 percent) to 1,147 (31.1 percent). Two other Democratic candidates held the remaining nearly 37 percent of the vote.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns,  March 10, 1992.</ref> In the general election, Simpson defeated Blackburn, 2,100 (54.4 percent) to 1,762 (45.6 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, April 11, 1992.</ref> In 1996, Simpson defeated a fellow Republican, Lamon L. Moody, Jr., 2,022 (82.6 percent) to 425 (17.4 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, March 12, 1996.</ref> Simpson was unopposed for a third term as mayor in March 2000, but he served less than a year thereafter upon winning election as East Baton Rouge Mayor-President. In the seeking the greater position, Simpson claimed that he had saved the city of Baker millions through careful budgeting and financial management.<ref name=bio/>​

Simpson was elected mayor of Baker in 1992 over the Democrat Frank C. Blackburn. In the primary, he led with 1,997 (32.4 percent) to 1,147 (31.1 percent). Two other Democratic candidates held the remaining nearly 37 percent of the vote.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns,  March 10, 1992.</ref> In the general election, Simpson defeated Blackburn, 2,100 (54.4 percent) to 1,762 (45.6 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, April 11, 1992.</ref> In 1996, Simpson defeated a fellow Republican, Lamon L. Moody, Jr., 2,022 (82.6 percent) to 425 (17.4 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, March 12, 1996.</ref> Simpson was unopposed for a third term as mayor in March 2000, but he served less than a year thereafter upon winning election as East Baton Rouge Mayor-President. In the seeking the greater position, Simpson claimed that he had saved the city of Baker millions through careful budgeting and financial management.<ref name=bio/>​

By the time he sought reelection as Mayor-President, Simpson's political fortunes had plummeted. In addition to Holden, five other opponents filed for the office. Holden led in the primary with 39,470 (35.1 percent) to Simpson’s 38,206 (33.9 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, September 18, 2004.</ref> In the general election, Holden unseated Simpson, 94,802 (53.9 percent) to 81,142 (46.1 percent). This time, Simpson trailed the second President Bush, who won a second term in office, by 18,801 ballots in East Baton Rouge Parish.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 2, 2004.</ref>​

By the time he sought reelection as Mayor-President, Simpson's political fortunes had plummeted. In addition to Holden, five other opponents filed for the office. Holden led in the primary with 39,470 (35.1 percent) to Simpson’s 38,206 (33.9 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, September 18, 2004.</ref> In the general election, Holden unseated Simpson, 94,802 (53.9 percent) to 81,142 (46.1 percent). This time, Simpson trailed the second President Bush, who won a second term in office, by 18,801 ballots in East Baton Rouge Parish.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 2, 2004.</ref>​

​

​

==References==

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}