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'''Wiley Douglas Fowler, Sr.''', known as '''Doug Fowler''' (November 17, 1906 &ndash; January 29, 1980),<ref>The Social Security Death Index erroneously lists Douglas Fowler's death date as "March 1980", but his tombstone says January 29, and the newspaper article on his death was published on January 31, 1980.</ref> was a [[politician]] from [[rural]] Red River Parish in northwestern [[Louisiana]], a loyal supporter of [[Governor]] [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]], and his state's chief elections officer from 1959, until declining health forced his retirement, effective December 31, 1979. Fowler laid the groundwork for a small-scale family political dynasty in Louisiana. [[Jerry Fowler|Jerry Marston Fowler]] succeeded his father as elections commissioner and served until a scandal caused his defeat at the polls, effective in 2000. And one of Fowler's two brothers, Hendrix M. "Mutt" Fowler,  went into local politics, served as a state representative for fourteen years and ended his public career, also amid a scandal, as the executive director of the Sabine River Authority in Many in Sabine Parish.​

'''Wiley Douglas Fowler, Sr.''', known as '''Doug Fowler''' (November 17, 1906 &ndash; January 29, 1980),<ref>The Social Security Death Index erroneously lists Douglas Fowler's death date as "March 1980", but his tombstone says January 29, and the newspaper article on his death was published on January 31, 1980.</ref> was a [[politician]] from [[rural]] Red River Parish in northwestern [[Louisiana]], a loyal supporter of [[Governor]] [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]], and his state's chief elections officer from 1959, until declining health forced his retirement, effective December 31, 1979. Fowler laid the groundwork for a small-scale family political dynasty in Louisiana. [[Jerry Fowler|Jerry Marston Fowler]] succeeded his father as elections commissioner and served until a scandal caused his defeat at the polls, effective in 2000. And one of Fowler's two brothers, Hendrix M. "Mutt" Fowler,  went into local politics, served as a state representative for fourteen years and ended his public career, also amid a scandal, as the executive director of the Sabine River Authority in Many in Sabine Parish.​

 

Fowler was a native of Coushatta, of which he was briefly the [[mayor]] from January 2 to June 12, 1953. "Mutt" Fowler succeeded his brother as mayor.​ Fowler was thrice elected a the Red River Parish clerk of court, 1940, 1944, and 1948.

​Fowler was a native of Coushatta, of which he was briefly the [[mayor]] from January 2 to June 12, 1953. "Mutt" Fowler succeeded his brother as mayor.​ Fowler was thrice elected a the Red River Parish clerk of court, 1940, 1944, and 1948.

==Fowler runs for state auditor==​

==Fowler runs for state auditor==​

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In 1952, Fowler ran unsuccessfully for state auditor on the Thomas Hale Boggs intra-party [[Governor|gubernatorial]] ticket.<ref>''Minden Press,'' December 28, 1951, p. 1.</ref> The incumbent L. B. Baynard in turn lost the runoff election to [[Allison Kolb]], the choice of the successful candidate for governor, [[Robert F. Kennon]] of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]].

In 1952, Fowler ran unsuccessfully for state auditor on the intra-party [[Governor|gubernatorial]] ticket headed by [[U.S. Representative]] Thomas Hale Boggs, Sr., of New Orleans.<ref>''Minden Press,'' December 28, 1951, p. 1.</ref> The incumbent L. B. Baynard in turn lost the runoff election to [[Allison Kolb]], the choice of the successful candidate for governor, [[Robert F. Kennon]] of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]].

In 1956, Fowler, a particular favorite of Earl Long's wife, Blanche Revere Long, ran again for state auditor but was defeated in the primary by [[Bill Dodd]], who had served as lieutenant governor under Earl Long from 1948 to 1952. Also in that race was the incumbent Allison Kolb, who would later defect to the [[Republican Party|Republican Party]] and run unsuccessfully for state treasurer on February 6,  1968. The Long faction was divided over whether to back Fowler or Dodd for auditor.​

In 1956, Fowler, a particular favorite of Earl Long's wife, Blanche Revere Long, ran again for state auditor but was defeated in the primary by [[Bill Dodd]], who had served as lieutenant governor under Earl Long from 1948 to 1952. Also in that race was the incumbent Allison Kolb, who would later defect to the [[Republican Party|Republican Party]] and run unsuccessfully for state treasurer on February 6,  1968. The Long faction was divided over whether to back Fowler or Dodd for auditor.​