Changes

District 23 became a majority African American district in the 2011 [[redistricting]] based uopn the 2010 [[census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20111023/NEWS01/310230008/Hazel-re-elected-House-District-27-Harris-wins-House-District-25-seat|title=Hazel re-elected in House Distrrict 27; Harris wins House District 25|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk'', October 23, 2011|accessdate=October 24, 2011}}</ref>

District 23 became a majority African American district in the 2011 [[redistricting]] based uopn the 2010 [[census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20111023/NEWS01/310230008/Hazel-re-elected-House-District-27-Harris-wins-House-District-25-seat|title=Hazel re-elected in House Distrrict 27; Harris wins House District 25|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk'', October 23, 2011|accessdate=October 24, 2011}}</ref>

Nowlin failed to win reelection to the House in the general election held on November 19, 2011. He was unseated by the Democrat Kenny Ray Cox, a decorated retired lieutenant colonel in the [[United States Army]] from Mansfield in DeSoto Parish. Cox received 5,556 votes (53.4 percent) to Nowlin's 4,847 (46.6 percent). Nowlin won by 900 votes in Natchitoches Parish but lost badly in DeSoto and Red River parishes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11192011/11192011_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana general election returns, November 19, 2011|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=November 20, 2011}}</ref>

In the general election held on November 19, 2011, Nowlin was unseated by the Democrat Kenny Ray Cox, a decorated retired lieutenant colonel in the [[United States Army]] from Mansfield in DeSoto Parish. Cox received 5,556 votes (53.4 percent) to Nowlin's 4,847 (46.6 percent). Nowlin won by some nine hundred votes in Natchitoches Parish but lost decisively in DeSoto and Red River parishes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11192011/11192011_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana general election returns, November 19, 2011|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=November 20, 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>

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>