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'''Roderick Luke Miller''', known as '''Rod Miller''' (October 20, 1924 -- January 15, 2005), was a Lafayette attorney and a pioneer in the development of the Republican Party in Louisiana. He was the third Republican since Reconstruction to be elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives and the first ever from Lafayette Parish, now one of the stronger Republican-leaning parishes in the state. Miller served half of a legislative term from 1966-1968. He was a member of the Republican State Central Committee and the Lafayette Parish Republican Executive Committee. Prior to his death, he had received his party's "Lifetime Service Award."

'''Roderick Luke Miller''', known as '''Rod Miller''' (October 20, 1924 -- January 15, 2005), was a Lafayette attorney and a pioneer in the development of the [[Republican Party]] in [[Louisiana]]. He was the third Republican since [[Reconstruction]] to be elected to the Louisiana [[House of Representatives]] and the first ever from Lafayette Parish, now one of the stronger Republican-leaning parishes in the state. Miller served half of a legislative term from 1966-1968. He was a member of the Republican State Central Committee and the Lafayette Parish Republican Executive Committee. Prior to his death, he had received his party's "Lifetime Service Award."

==Early Life==

==Early Life==

Miller was born in Reddell in Evangeline Parish to Cleophas Miller (1888-1971), a railroad employee, and the former Isabelle Michot (1895-1975). Miller graduated from Vidrine High School in Evangeline Parish and then served in World War II in the Army Air Force as a navigator onB-29's. He was reactivated as a first lieutenant during the Korean War. Between the two wars, Miller graduated in 1947 from the institution now known as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (then Southwestern Louisiana Institute). He then graduated in 1949 from Loyola University Law School in New Orleans.

Miller was born in Reddell in Evangeline Parish to Cleophas Miller (1888-1971), a railroad employee, and the former Isabelle Michot (1895-1975). Miller graduated from Vidrine High School in Evangeline Parish and then served in [[World War II]] in the [[Army Air Force]] as a navigator on [[B-29]]'s. He was reactivated as a first lieutenant during the [[Korean War]]. Between the two wars, Miller graduated in 1947 from the institution now known as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (then Southwestern Louisiana Institute). He then graduated in 1949 from Loyola University Law School in [[New Orleans]].

==Miller and Mouton, friends and political rivals==

==Miller and Mouton, friends and political rivals==

Miller practiced law in Lafayette with Charles DeBaillon in the firm of DeBaillon and Miller. He ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for a judgeship.

Miller practiced [[law ]]in Lafayette with Charles DeBaillon in the firm of DeBaillon and Miller. He ran unsuccessfully as a [[Democrat]] for a judgeship.

Then Miller switched parties at the time when it was said that the GOP, with very few voters under its umbrella, could caucus in a phone booth. He was elected to the Louisiana House in a special election upset on March 22, 1966, to succeed his Democratic friend, Edgar G. "Sonny" Mouton, Jr. (pronounced MOO TAHN), Miller polled 9,210 votes (50.2 percent) to Democrat W.J. "Hook" Robicheaux's (pronounced ROW BI SHOW) 9,125 ballots (49.8 percent). Miller's margin was hence 85 votes.

Then Miller switched parties at the time when it was said that the GOP, with very few voters under its umbrella, could caucus in a phone booth. He was elected to the Louisiana House in a special election upset on March 22, 1966, to succeed his Democratic friend, Edgar G. "Sonny" Mouton, Jr. (pronounced MOO TAHN), Miller polled 9,210 votes (50.2 percent) to Democrat W.J. "Hook" Robicheaux's (pronounced ROW BI SHOW) 9,125 ballots (49.8 percent). Miller's margin was hence 85 votes.