Changes

'''Rickey L. "Rick" Nowlin''' (born July 30, 1948) is a [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]] engineer and businessman who is a departing [[Republican Party|Republican]] member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 23 (Natchitoches, DeSoto, and Red River parishes).  

'''Rickey L. "Rick" Nowlin''' (born July 30, 1948) is a Natchitoches engineer and businessman who is a departing [[Republican Party|Republican]] member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 23 (now Natchitoches, DeSoto, and Red River parishes).  

Nowlin and State Senator]] Gerald I. Long of Natchitoches are the first Republicans since [[Reconstruction]] elected to represent Natchitoches Parish in their state's legislature.<ref>List of Members of the Louisiana House of Representatives Since 1812: http://www.legis.state.la.us/members/h1812-2008.pdf; List of Members of the Louisiana State Senate Since 1880:  http://www.legis.state.la.us/members/s1880-2004.pdf#search='c.c.%20taddy%20aycock'</ref> The two took their oaths of office on January 14, 2008, the same day that Republican Governor [[Bobby Jindal]] was inaugurated.

Nowlin and State Senator Gerald I. Long of Natchitoches, a member of the Long political family, are the first Republicans since [[Reconstruction]] elected to represent Natchitoches Parish in their state's legislature.<ref>List of Members of the Louisiana House of Representatives Since 1812: http://www.legis.state.la.us/members/h1812-2008.pdf; List of Members of the Louisiana State Senate Since 1880:  http://www.legis.state.la.us/members/s1880-2004.pdf#search='c.c.%20taddy%20aycock'</ref> The two took their oaths of office on January 14, 2008, the same day that Republican Governor [[Bobby Jindal]] was inaugurated.

==Background==

==Background==

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).<ref name="ssdi.rootsweb.com">[http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi Social Security Death Index Interactive Search<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> He, his brother, and two sisters were reared in [[Ferriday, Louisiana|Ferriday]], a city in Concordia Parish near the [[Mississippi River]]. Nowlin graduated from Ferriday High School in 1966. In his initial election, Nowlin secured the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business.<ref>[http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35299.html NFIB.com - Small Business Endorses Rick Nowlin in House District 23<!-- Bot generated title -->]</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).<ref name="ssdi.rootsweb.com">[http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi Social Security Death Index Interactive Search<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 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. In his initial election, Nowlin secured the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business.<ref>[http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35299.html NFIB.com - Small Business Endorses Rick Nowlin in House 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>[http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=93694 Project Vote Smart - Representative Rick Nowlin - Biography<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> He was a member of Eta Kappa Nu honor electrical society, [[Sigma Nu]] social fraternity, which endorsed Nowlin in the campaign,<ref>[http://www.sigmanu-tazeta.com/article/193 Rick Nowlin for state representative | Sigma Nu Fraternity at Louisiana Tech University | Eta Zeta Chapter<!-- Bot generated title -->]</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, from which he received in 1971 a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering.<ref>[http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=93694 Project Vote Smart - Representative Rick Nowlin - Biography<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> He was a member of Eta Kappa Nu honor electrical society, Sigma Nu social fraternity, which endorsed Nowlin in the campaign,<ref>[http://www.sigmanu-tazeta.com/article/193 Rick Nowlin for state representative | Sigma Nu Fraternity at Louisiana Tech University | Eta Zeta Chapter<!-- Bot generated title -->]</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==

Nowlin, with the pledge of "A Time for Reform",  won a stunning victory in District 23 (then Natchitoches and Winn parishes but since altered) on November 17, 2007, over the [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Joseph Michael "Joe" Sampite, who served as the mayor of  Natchitoches from 1980 to 2000. Sampite is also an inductee into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.<ref>[http://www.cityofwinnfield.com/museum.html Winnfield, La - Old L&A Depot, LA Political Museum<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Nowlin polled 4,609 votes (55 percent) in the general election to Sampite's 3,766 (45 percent)<ref>[http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms3&rqsdta=111707i Louisiana Secretary of State-Multi-Parish Elections Inquiry<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In the primary on October 20, 2007, Nowlin led a four-candidate field with 4,849 votes (35 percent) to Sampite's 4,598 (33 percent). Two other Democrats, Ralph Wilson and Mack James, polled, 2,847 (21 percent) and 1,459 (11 percent), respectively. Hence, Nowlin and Sampite were thrust into the [[runoff election|runoff]], called the general election in Louisiana.<ref>[http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms3&rqsdta=102007 Louisiana Secretary of State-Multi-Parish Elections Inquiry<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Nowlin succeeded Taylor Townsend Townsend of Natchitoches, a Democrat who gave up the House seat after two terms to run unsuccessfully against Gerald Long for the state Senate. Townsend is a nephew and law partner of former State Senator Donald G. Kelly of Natchitoches.

Nowlin, with the pledge of "A Time for Reform",  won a stunning victory in District 23 (then Natchitoches and Winn parishes but since altered) on November 17, 2007, over the [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Joseph Michael "Joe" Sampite, who served as the mayor of  Natchitoches from 1980 to 2000. Sampite is also an inductee into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.<ref>[http://www.cityofwinnfield.com/museum.html Winnfield, La - Old L&A Depot, LA Political Museum<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Nowlin polled 4,609 votes (55 percent) in the general election to Sampite's 3,766 (45 percent)<ref>[http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms3&rqsdta=111707i Louisiana Secretary of State-Multi-Parish Elections Inquiry<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In the primary on October 20, 2007, Nowlin led a four-candidate field with 4,849 votes (35 percent) to Sampite's 4,598 (33 percent). Two other Democrats, Ralph Wilson and Mack James, polled, 2,847 (21 percent) and 1,459 (11 percent), respectively. Hence, Nowlin and Sampite were thrust into the [[runoff]], called the general election in Louisiana even if both candidates are from the same party.<ref>[http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms3&rqsdta=102007 Louisiana Secretary of State-Multi-Parish Elections Inquiry<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Nowlin succeeded Taylor Townsend Townsend of Natchitoches, a Democrat who gave up the House seat after two terms to run unsuccessfully against Gerald Long for the state Senate. Townsend is a nephew and law partner of former State Senator Donald G. Kelly of Natchitoches.

Nowlin is the widower of the former Brenda Barr (February 12, 1950 &ndash; May 21, 2000).<ref name="ssdi.rootsweb.com"/> The couple's two children include daughter Jennifer Lauren Nowlin (born 1980) and son Matthew Louis Nowlin (born 1983), a 2007 graduate of [[Texas A&M University]].<ref name="ricknowlin.com"/> He lost his wife and both parents in a period of fourteen months.

Nowlin is the widower of the former Brenda Barr (February 12, 1950 &ndash; May 21, 2000).<ref name="ssdi.rootsweb.com"/> The couple's two children include daughter Jennifer Lauren Nowlin (born 1980) and son Matthew Louis Nowlin (born 1983), a 2007 graduate of [[Texas A&M University]].<ref name="ricknowlin.com"/> He lost his wife and both parents in a period of fourteen months.

   

   

The Nowlins moved to Natchitoches in 1979. He has been involved in many community affairs, including the [[National Rifle Association]], [[Masonic Lodge]], Boys and Girls Clubs of Natchitoches, and, formerly, the National Historic District Commission. He is a member of the First [[Baptist]] Church of Natchitoches.<ref name="ricknowlin.com"/>

The Nowlins moved to Natchitoches in 1979. He has been involved in many community affairs, including the [[National Rifle Association]], [[Masonic lodge]], Boys and Girls Clubs of Natchitoches, and, formerly, the National Historic District Commission. He is a member of the First [[Baptist]] Church of Natchitoches.<ref name="ricknowlin.com"/>

Nowlin is president of N&A, Inc., Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors, with offices in Natchitoches, Pineville, and Jena. He is a five-time board member of the Consulting Engineers Council of Louisiana. He has twice served as president of the Consulting Engineers Council of Louisiana, [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] chapter. He is affiliated with the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers. He owns Ducournau Restaurant and Townhouse in Natchitoches.<ref name="ricknowlin.com"/>

Nowlin is president of N&A, Inc., Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors, with offices in Natchitoches, Pineville, and Jena. He is a five-time board member of the Consulting Engineers Council of Louisiana. He has twice served as president of the Alexandria chapter of Consulting Engineers Council of Louisiana. He is affiliated with the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers. He owns Ducournau Restaurant and Townhouse in Natchitoches.<ref name="ricknowlin.com"/>

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>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10222011/10222011_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana primary election returns, October 22, 2011|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=October 22, 2011}}</ref>

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>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10222011/10222011_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana primary election returns, October 22, 2011|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=October 22, 2011}}</ref>

Cox graduated from Coushatta High School in Coushatta in Red River Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesabineindex.com/index/node/5299|title=Cox runs for State Representative|publisher=thesabineindex.com|accessdate=October 24, 2011}}</ref> He ran unsuccessfully in 2007 in House District 7 against the Republican [[Richard Burford]] of Stonewall, who was subsequently re-elected in the 2011 primary.

Incoming Representative Cox graduated from Coushatta High School in Coushatta in Red River Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesabineindex.com/index/node/5299|title=Cox runs for State Representative|publisher=thesabineindex.com|accessdate=October 24, 2011}}</ref> He ran unsuccessfully in 2007 in House District 7 against the Republican [[Richard Burford]] of Stonewall, who was subsequently re-elected in the 2011 primary.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nowlin, Rick}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nowlin, Rick}}

[[Category:Louisiana]]

[[Category:Louisiana]]

[[Category:Republican Party}}

[[Category:Republican Party]]

[[Category:Conservatives]]

[[Category:Conservatives]]

[[Category:Baptists]]

[[Category:Baptists]]

[[Category:Engineers]]

[[Category:Engineers]]

[[Category:Businesspeople]]

[[Category:Businesspersons]]