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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, subsequently one of the stronger Republican-leaning parishes in the state. Miller served half of a legislative term from 1966-1968. He was also 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 during [[World War II]] in the United States Army Air Corps 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 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 during [[World War II]] in the United States Army Air Corps 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==

Representative Mouton had been elected to the state senate in an earlier special election created by the resignation of state Senator Garland L. Bonin (pronounced BOH NEAN). Miller hence served the remaining two years of Mouton's House term. Miller served in the House with three other Republicans, Morley A. Hudson and Taylor W. O'Hearn, both of Shreveport in Caddo Parish, and Edward Clark Gaudin of Baton Rouge.

Representative Mouton had been elected to the state senate in an earlier special election created by the resignation of state Senator Garland L. Bonin (pronounced BOH NEAN). Miller hence served the remaining two years of Mouton's House term. Miller served in the House with three other Republicans, Morley A. Hudson and Taylor W. O'Hearn, both of Shreveport in Caddo Parish, and Edward Clark Gaudin of Baton Rouge.

In 1968, in what turned out to be a real blunder, Miller gave up his House seat to challenge Mouton for a full term in the state senate. Mouton easily prevailed -- 57.1 percent of the vote to 42.9 percent for Miller. Miller's House seat also reverted to the Democrats. Indeed, as a result of the 1968 elections, there were no Republicans in the entire (House or Senate) 144-member legislature.

In 1968, in what turned out to be a real blunder, Miller gave up his House seat to challenge Mouton for a full term in the state senate. Mouton easily prevailed -- 57.1 percent of the vote to 42.9 percent for Miller. Miller's House seat also reverted to the Democrats. Indeed, as a result of the 1968 elections, there were no Republicans in the entire (House or Senate) 144-member legislature. By 2011, Republicans had majorities for the first time in both houses.

In 1972, Miller challenged Mouton for state senate reelection and lost again. Mouton polled 18,771 votes (62.2 percent) to Miller's 11,395 (37.8 percent). In defeat, Miller still ran 8.5 percentage points ahead of Republican gubernatorial candidate David C. Treen in Lafayette Parish.

In 1972, Miller challenged Mouton for state senate reelection and lost again. Mouton polled 18,771 votes (62.2 percent) to Miller's 11,395 (37.8 percent). In defeat, Miller still ran 8.5 percentage points ahead of Republican gubernatorial candidate [[David C. Treen]] in Lafayette Parish.

Mouton served in the state Senate from 1966-1980 and ran for governor, as senate president pro tempore, in the 1979 jungle primary. He finished in sixth place with 124,333 votes (9.1 percent). Though Mouton was considered one of the more liberal candidates in the governor's race, he surprised observers by endorsing Republican Treen in the general election. Treen was then making his second gubernatorial bid. After his narrow election, Treen named Mouton as his executive counsel. Mouton succeeded Edmund Reggie of Crowley, who was the counsel to outgoing Governor Edwin Washington Edwards, also of Crowley.

Mouton served in the state Senate from 1966-1980 and ran for governor, as senate president pro tempore, in the 1979 jungle primary. He finished in sixth place with 124,333 votes (9.1 percent). Though Mouton was considered one of the more liberal candidates in the governor's race, he surprised observers by endorsing Republican Treen in the general election. Treen was then making his second gubernatorial bid. After his narrow election, Treen named Mouton as his executive counsel. Mouton succeeded Edmund Reggie of Crowley, who was the counsel to outgoing Governor Edwin Washington Edwards, also of Crowley.