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Fowler was appointed by Long as the director of the state Board of Registration, a position earlier held by Long confidant Drayton Rogers Boucher of Springhill, a former member of the state Senate from Bossier and Webster parishes. Fowler's title was changed to "custodian" in 1959, and he ran for the position in the 1959-1960 Democratic primaries. Fowler said that he deserved the appointment because "I worked hard enough for it, and no one deserved it more," and he "beat the bushes" for Long in the 1947-1948 gubernatorial cycle. That year Long defeated his old intraparty rival, former Governor [[Sam Houston Jones]] of [[Lake Charles]]. Fowler, meanwhile, defeated a number of opponents in a close Democratic primary race in 1959.​

Fowler was appointed by Long as the director of the state Board of Registration, a position earlier held by Long confidant Drayton Rogers Boucher of Springhill, a former member of the state Senate from Bossier and Webster parishes. Fowler's title was changed to "custodian" in 1959, and he ran for the position in the 1959-1960 Democratic primaries. Fowler said that he deserved the appointment because "I worked hard enough for it, and no one deserved it more," and he "beat the bushes" for Long in the 1947-1948 gubernatorial cycle. That year Long defeated his old intraparty rival, former Governor [[Sam Houston Jones]] of [[Lake Charles]]. Fowler, meanwhile, defeated a number of opponents in a close Democratic primary race in 1959.​

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In the Democratic runoff election held on January 9, 1960, Fowler defeated David Wallace Chennault, Sr. (1923–1980), a native of [[El Paso]], [[Texas]], then living in [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]].<ref name=ssdi>{{cite web|url=http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi|title=Social Security Death Index|publisher=ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com|accessdate=June 6, 2010}}</ref><ref>''Minden Press'', January 11, 1960</ref> Chennault was the sixth of eight children of [[General]] [[Claire Chennault]] of the [[World War II]] [[Flying Tigers]] and first wife, Nell Thompson Chennault (1893-1977, whom Chennault [[divorce]]d. Chennault ran on the losing intraparty ticket headed by deLesseps Story "Chep" Morrison (1912-1964), the mayor of New Orleans who ran unsuccessfully for the second of three times in a bid to become governor of Louisiana. Fowler ran on the rival ticket headed by former Governor [[Jimmie Davis]], who staged a comeback for a second term in the office.<ref>"Chep Morrison and Ticket Here Monday", ''Minden Herald,'' September 17, 1959, p. 1.</ref> David Chennault died at the age of fifty-six in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], Texas, but he still listed a Monroe address with the [[Social Security Administration]] at the time of his passing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/e/b/Brenda-M-Hebert/GENE6-0004.html|title=Ancestors of Claire Lee Chennault|publisher=familytreemaker.genealogy.com|accessdate=June 6, 2010}}</ref>​

In the Democratic runoff election held on January 9, 1960, Fowler defeated David Wallace Chennault, Sr. (1923–1980), a native of [[El Paso]], [[Texas]], then living in [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]].<ref name=ssdi>{{cite web|url=http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi|title=Social Security Death Index|publisher=ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com|accessdate=June 6, 2010}}</ref><ref>''Minden Press'', January 11, 1960</ref> Chennault was the sixth of eight children of [[General]] [[Claire Chennault]] of the [[World War II]] [[Flying Tigers]] and first wife, Nell Thompson Chennault (1893-1977, whom Chennault [[divorce]]d. Chennault ran on the losing intraparty ticket headed by deLesseps Story "Chep" Morrison, Sr. (1912-1964), the mayor of New Orleans who ran unsuccessfully for the second of three times in a bid to become governor of Louisiana. Fowler ran on the rival ticket headed by former Governor [[Jimmie Davis]], who staged a comeback for a second term in the office.<ref>"Chep Morrison and Ticket Here Monday", ''Minden Herald,'' September 17, 1959, p. 1.</ref>  

 

David Chennault died at the age of fifty-six in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], Texas, but he still listed a Monroe address with the [[Social Security Administration]] at the time of his passing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/e/b/Brenda-M-Hebert/GENE6-0004.html|title=Ancestors of Claire Lee Chennault|publisher=familytreemaker.genealogy.com|accessdate=June 6, 2010}}</ref>​

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In the [[general election]] held on April 19, 1960, Fowler overwhelmed '''William C. Porter''' (1910-1977),<ref name=ssdi/> a Republican railroad claims agent from [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], 86.8 percent to 13.2 percent. Porter had been an alternate delegate to the 1956 [[Republican National Convention]] in [[San Francisco]],

In the [[general election]] held on April 19, 1960, Fowler overwhelmed '''William C. Porter''' (1910-1977),<ref name=ssdi/> a Republican railroad claims agent from [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], 86.8 percent to 13.2 percent. Porter had been an alternate delegate to the 1956 [[Republican National Convention]] in [[San Francisco]],

[[California]].​

[[California]].​

 

In 1963-1964, Fowler defeated Raymond Laborde, the mayor of [[Marksville, Louisiana|Marksville]], the seat of Avoyelles Parish, and later a state representative from 1972 to 1992, and commissioner of administration in the fourth and final term of Edwin Edwards. An Edwards boyhood friend, Laborde ran on the intra-party ticket headed by Chep Morrison. Laborde argued unsuccessfully at the time for the abolition of Fowler's office. All of the Morrison candidates were defeated.​

In 1963 to 1964, Fowler defeated Raymond Laborde, the mayor of [[Marksville, Louisiana|Marksville]], the seat of Avoyelles Parish, and later a state representative from 1972 to 1992, and commissioner of administration in the fourth and final term of Edwin Edwards. An Edwards boyhood friend, Laborde ran on the intra-party ticket headed by Chep Morrison. Laborde argued unsuccessfully at the time for the abolition of Fowler's office. All of the Morrison candidates were defeated.​

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Fowler was thereafter easily reelected to his administrative position in 1968, 1972, and 1975.​

Fowler was thereafter easily reelected to his administrative position in 1968, 1972, and 1975.​

==Later challengers==​

==Later challengers==​

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In 1971, Fowler won Democratic renomination over several candidates, including '''Jerome Sauer''', who raised questions about the validity of voting machines in providing an accurate voter count.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' November 6, 1971.</ref> Fowler then faced only his second Republican opponent, reformer '''Edward Wilhelm Christiansen Jr.''' (November 10, 1923 &ndash; August 28, 2014), a native of [[Savannah]], [[Georgia]], and a retired [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] [[lieutenant colonel]] who had volunteered for the [[United States Army]] Air Corps during [[World War II]]. He flew more than twenty missions as a [[Martin B-26 Marauder|B-26]] pilot in the European Theater of Operations. After the war, Christiansen flew 121 missions as a transport pilot in the [[Berlin Airlift]]. He was thereafter a fighter pilot in Germany. On leaving the military, Christiansen worked in the hotel/tourism business. For twenty years he was a manager and part-owner of the Saint Charles Inn on [[St. Charles Avenue]] in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://obits.nola.com/obituaries/nola/obituary.aspx?n=edward-wilhelm-christiansen&pid=172301343&fhid=5630#sthash.UufX79qn.dpuf|title=Edward Wilhelm Christiansen, Jr.|publisher=''The New Orleans Times-Picayune''|accessdate=August 31, 2014}}</ref>​

In 1971, Fowler won Democratic re-nomination over several candidates, including '''Jerome Sauer''', who raised questions about the validity of voting machines in providing an accurate voter count.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' November 6, 1971.</ref> Fowler then faced only his second Republican opponent, reformer '''Edward Wilhelm Christiansen Jr.''' (November 10, 1923 &ndash; August 28, 2014), a native of [[Savannah]], [[Georgia]], and a retired [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] [[lieutenant colonel]] who had volunteered for the [[United States Army]] Air Corps during [[World War II]]. He flew more than twenty missions as a [[Martin B-26 Marauder|B-26]] pilot in the European Theater of Operations. After the war, Christiansen flew 121 missions as a transport pilot in the [[Berlin Airlift]]. He was thereafter a fighter pilot in Germany. On leaving the military, Christiansen worked in the hotel/tourism business. For twenty years he was a manager and part-owner of the Saint Charles Inn on [[St. Charles Avenue]] in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://obits.nola.com/obituaries/nola/obituary.aspx?n=edward-wilhelm-christiansen&pid=172301343&fhid=5630#sthash.UufX79qn.dpuf|title=Edward Wilhelm Christiansen, Jr.|publisher=''The New Orleans Times-Picayune''|accessdate=August 31, 2014}}</ref>​

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Christiansen was also a former [[mathematics]] instructor at [[Tulane University]] in New Orleans. He was a delegate to the 1972 Republican National Convention held in MIami Beach, [[Florida]]. In the campaign against Fowler, Christiansen proposed that modern electronic voting devices be adopted to replace what he called "bulky, heavy, cumbersome, cantankerous" voting machines in use since the administration of [[Governor]] [[Robert F. Kennon]]. Voting machines, often called "Shoup machines" for their inventor, '''Ransom Shoup''', were used in some of the more populous parishes, including East Baton Rouge, Caddo]] ([[Shreveport]]) and Calcasieu (Lake Charles) prior to the Kennon administration, but it was Kennon who pushed for electronic machines in all precincts.​

Christiansen was also a former [[mathematics]] instructor at [[Tulane University]] in New Orleans. He was a delegate to the 1972 Republican National Convention held in MIami Beach, [[Florida]]. In the campaign against Fowler, Christiansen proposed that modern electronic voting devices be adopted to replace what he called "bulky, heavy, cumbersome, cantankerous" voting machines in use since the administration of [[Governor]] [[Robert F. Kennon]]. Voting machines, often called "Shoup machines" for their inventor, Ransom Shoup, were used in some of the more populous parishes, including East Baton Rouge, Caddo, and Calcasieu prior to the Kennon administration, but it was Kennon who pushed for electronic machines in all precincts.​

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Christiansen ran on the Republican slate headed by gubernatorial candidate [[David C. Treen]], then of [[Jefferson Parish]]. While Treen obtained 42.8 percent of the vote against Democrat [[Edwin Edwards]], Christiansen polled  only 265,525 votes (25.5 percent). The entrenched Fowler received 721,987 votes (71.7 percent), and the American Party nominee Louis D. Arnaud drew 28,413 votes (2.8 percent).​

Christiansen ran on the Republican slate headed by gubernatorial candidate [[David C. Treen]], then of Jefferson Parish in suburban New Orleans. While Treen obtained 42.8 percent of the vote against Democrat [[Edwin Edwards]], Christiansen polled  only 265,525 votes (25.5 percent). The entrenched Fowler received 721,987 votes (71.7 percent), and the American Party nominee Louis D. Arnaud drew 28,413 votes (2.8 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, February 1, 1972.</ref>​

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In 1975, in the first-ever nonpartisan blanket primary in Louisiana, Fowler easily defeated two fellow Democrats who sought the elections commissioner's position, Jerome A. Sauer, who again charged that Louisiana voting machines can easily be rigged, and Delores Burrell Vanison.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', November 3, 1975, p. 1.</ref>​

In 1975, in the first-ever nonpartisan blanket primary in Louisiana, Fowler easily defeated two fellow Democrats who sought the elections commissioner's position, Jerome A. Sauer, who again charged that Louisiana voting machines can easily be rigged, and Delores Burrell Vanison.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' November 3, 1975, p. 1.</ref>​

==Jerry Fowler succeeds his father==​

==Jerry Fowler succeeds his father==​

Under the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, the office of "custodian of voting machines" was renamed "elections commissioner." Fowler won a final term in the 1975 [[jungle primary]], and then, in 1980, shortly after his death, the office reverted to his son. Jerry Fowler won the 1979 [[general election]] over the Republican [[John Henry Baker]] of Franklin Parish, whose somewhat unusual campaign called for the abolition of the election commissioner's position and the return of the duties to the secretary of state. Baker's proposal, defeated at the polls, was finally adopted a quarter of a century later in 2004. Baker drew the support of former state Representative and state Senator Robert Gambrell "Bob" Jones of Lake Charles, whose father Long and Fowler had worked to defeat in 1948.​

Under the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, the office of "custodian of voting machines" was renamed "elections commissioner." Fowler won a final term in the 1975 nonpartisan blanket primary, and then, in 1980, shortly after his death, the office reverted to his son. Jerry Fowler won the 1979 [[general election]] over the Republican [[John Henry Baker]] of Franklin Parish, whose somewhat unusual campaign called for the abolition of the election commissioner's position and the return of the duties to the secretary of state. Baker's proposal, defeated at the polls, was finally adopted a quarter of a century later in 2004. Baker drew the support of former state Representative and state Senator Robert Gambrell "Bob" Jones of Lake Charles, whose father both Long and Fowler had worked to defeat in 1948.​

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Fowler and his friend, former state Senator  B. B. "Sixty" Rayburn, Sr., of Bogalusa in Washington Parish, were two Earl Long "cronies" who survived in office far beyond the Long gubernatorial terms, which closed in 1960. Rayburn recalled that he and Fowler "toured the state together with Earl Long in Long's comeback campaign for a third term in 1956. He was a very close, dear friend of mine. ... He was just a fine a man as I have ever known." Earl Long's nephew, then U.S. Senator [[Russell Long]], said that "few people can claim to have served their state harder, more faithfully, and for a longer period than Doug Fowler. As commissioner of elections, he was an exemplary state official who won reelection time after time."​

Fowler and his friend, former state Senator  B. B. "Sixty" Rayburn, Sr., of Bogalusa in Washington Parish, were two Earl Long "cronies" who survived in office far beyond the Long gubernatorial terms, which closed in 1960. Rayburn recalled that he and Fowler "toured the state together with Earl Long in Long's comeback campaign for a third term in 1956. He was a very close, dear friend of mine. ... He was just a fine a man as I have ever known." Earl Long's nephew, then U.S. Senator [[Russell Long]], said that "few people can claim to have served their state harder, more faithfully, and for a longer period than Doug Fowler. As commissioner of elections, he was an exemplary state official who won reelection time after time."​