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'''Royce Wayne McMahen''' (born October 3, 1954) is a [[veterinarian]] from Springhill in Webster Parish in northwestern [[Louisiana]], who is an incoming [[Republican Party|Republican]] member for District 10 of his state legislature.

'''Royce Wayne McMahen''' (born October 3, 1954) is a [[veterinarian]] from Springhill in Webster Parish in northwestern [[Louisiana]], who is an incoming [[Republican Party|Republican]] member for District 10 in  the state legislature.

A former [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], McMahen is the only candidate seeking to succeed Reynolds in the upcoming special election on November 6, 2018. In his announcement of candidacy from the steps of the Webster Parish Courthouse in Minden, McMahen listed the principal issues as rural health, community safety, natural resources, jobs, and cooperation in the legislature.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/mcmahen-running-for-state-rep/|title=McMahen Running for State Rep|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=June 7, 2018|author=Caleb Daniel|accessdate=June 8, 2018}}</ref>

A former [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], McMahen is the only candidate seeking to succeed Representative [[Gene Reynolds]] in the upcoming special election scheduled for November 6, 2018. With no opponent, the special election is likely to be cancelled, and McMahen can take the seat early. In his announcement of candidacy from the steps of the Webster Parish Courthouse in Minden, McMahen listed the principal issues as rural health, community safety, natural resources, jobs, and cooperation in the legislature.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/mcmahen-running-for-state-rep/|title=McMahen Running for State Rep|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=June 7, 2018|author=Caleb Daniel|accessdate=June 8, 2018}}</ref>

He is the only surviving son of the former  Johnnie Souter (1930-2012) and Royce Lafayette McMahen (1923-1999), also a Springhill veterinarian and the Democratic [[sheriff]] of Webster Parish from 1980 to 1996. His younger brother was Randy McMahen (1956-1968). His parents and brother are interred at Springhill Cemetery.

He is the only surviving son of the former  Johnnie Souter (1930-2012) and Royce Lafayette McMahen (1923-1999), also a Springhill veterinarian and the Democratic [[sheriff]] of Webster Parish from 1980 to 1996. His younger brother was Randy McMahen (1956-1968). His parents and brother are interred at Springhill Cemetery.

Columnist Jeffrey Dennis Sadow, a [[political science]] [[professor]] at Louisiana State University in [[Shreveport]], predicted that McMahen, based on background and key supporters, including the outgoing Democrat, [[Gene Reynolds]] and others favoring an increase in the [[gasoline]] tax, may be a [[RINO]] when he  takes the House seat. Sadow explained his view:

Columnist Jeffrey Dennis Sadow, a [[political science]] [[professor]] at Louisiana State University in [[Shreveport]], predicted that McMahen, based on background and key supporters, including the outgoing Democrat, Gene Reynolds and others favoring an increase in the [[gasoline]] tax, may be a [[RINO]] when he  takes the House seat. Sadow explained his view:

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Several RINOs populate both chambers of the Legislature, individuals who exploit both Louisiana’s eroding populist political culture and [[conservatism]] on social issues. Typically, RINOs emphasize issue preferences such as being [[pro-life]] and against gun control and make personal connections with constituents through service to them. That especially includes influential people wanting government to tax more so it can spend more, preferably on contracts for them, and allows RINOs to shovel more money to local government and state bureaucracy back home. Then they can boast about all of the pork and jobs they have provided to secure reelection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/gop-takes-la-house-seat-sorta/|title=GOP takes La. House seat, sorta|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=July 25, 2018|author=Jeffrey Dennis Sadow|accessdate=July 26, 2018}}</ref></blockquote>

Several RINOs populate both chambers of the Legislature, individuals who exploit both Louisiana’s eroding populist political culture and [[conservatism]] on social issues. Typically, RINOs emphasize issue preferences such as being [[pro-life]] and against gun control and make personal connections with constituents through service to them. That especially includes influential people wanting government to tax more so it can spend more, preferably on contracts for them, and allows RINOs to shovel more money to local government and state bureaucracy back home. Then they can boast about all of the pork and jobs they have provided to secure reelection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/gop-takes-la-house-seat-sorta/|title=GOP takes La. House seat, sorta|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=July 25, 2018|author=Jeffrey Dennis Sadow|accessdate=July 26, 2018}}</ref></blockquote>