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→Five House elections
Hopkins won his House seat when the [[Republican Party|GOP]] [[incumbent]] [[Bruce Lynn]], of Gilliam in Caddo Parish decided not to seek re-election in 1987. Hopkins defeated the then 4th congressional district Republican chairman, Kenneth "Ken" Frazier, and a fellow Democrat, Norbert Johnson. Hopkins polled 6,756 votes (53 percent) to Frazier's 5,128 (40 percent), and Johnson's 813 ballots (6 percent). Frazier's campaign against Hopkins was the last to have been managed by former state Republican chairman [[George Despot]] of [[Shreveport]].
Hopkins won his House seat when the [[Republican Party|GOP]] [[incumbent]] [[Bruce Lynn]], of Gilliam in Caddo Parish decided not to seek re-election in 1987. Hopkins defeated the then 4th congressional district Republican chairman, Kenneth "Ken" Frazier, and a fellow Democrat, Norbert Johnson. Hopkins polled 6,756 votes (53 percent) to Frazier's 5,128 (40 percent), and Johnson's 813 ballots (6 percent). Frazier's campaign against Hopkins was the last to have been managed by former state Republican chairman [[George Despot]] of [[Shreveport]].
Another Republican, David Hunter, tried unsuccessfully to defeat Hopkins in 1991. Hopkins polled 8,187 (73 percent) to Hunter's 2,964 (27 percent). Republicans left Hopkins unopposed in the 1995, 1999, and 2003 primaries. However, two Democrats, attorney Kirby Kelly and Philip Green, challenged him in 2003. Hopkins received 6,861 votes that year to Kelly's 2,322 (24 percent) and Green's 606 ballots (6 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, 2003.</ref>
Another Republican, David Hunter, tried unsuccessfully to defeat Hopkins in 1991. Hopkins polled 8,187 (73 percent) to Hunter's 2,964 (27 percent). Republicans left Hopkins unopposed in the 1995, 1999, and 2003 primaries. However, two Democrats, attorney Kirby Kelly and Philip Green, challenged him in 2003. Hopkins received 6,861 votes that year to Kelly's 2,322 (24 percent) and Green's 606 ballots (6 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, 2003.</ref>
''The Shreveport Times,'' his regional newspaper, described Hopkins as having a great sense of humor and a "biting wit" but "adept at getting bills passed and maneuvering behind the scenes to kill legislation he opposed." Hopkins was a veteran member of the important House Appropriations Committee. He was elected by the legislative delegation of the 4th congressional district to serve as its representative on the state House panel.
''The Shreveport Times,'' his regional newspaper, described Hopkins as having a great sense of humor and a "biting wit" but "adept at getting bills passed and maneuvering behind the scenes to kill legislation he opposed." Hopkins was a veteran member of the important House Appropriations Committee. He was elected by the legislative delegation of the 4th congressional district to serve as its representative on the state House panel.
A colleague and close friend, Representative [[Billy Montgomery]], a Democrat-turned-Republican from Haughton in Bossier Parish, told ''The Shreveport Times'' that Hopkins was a "team player" who had a good relationship with almost everybody. . . . He led because people liked him so much."
A colleague and close friend, Representative Billy Montgomery, a Democrat-turned-Republican from Haughton in Bossier Parish, told ''The Shreveport Times'' that Hopkins was a "team player" who had a good relationship with almost everybody. . . . He led because people liked him so much."
Hopkins authored a bill to provide health benefits to lawmakers who had served prior to the installation of term limits. The bill passed, but Democratic Governor [[Kathleen Blanco]] vetoed the bill at the "urging of Republican lawmakers, many of whom had voted for the legislation ... People never understood that Hoppy wasn't doing that for himself. He was just thinking about other members. He already had [his own] insurance ... and retirement," Montgomery explained.
Hopkins authored a bill to provide health benefits to lawmakers who had served prior to the installation of term limits. The bill passed, but Democratic Governor [[Kathleen Blanco]] vetoed the bill at the "urging of Republican lawmakers, many of whom had voted for the legislation ... People never understood that Hoppy wasn't doing that for himself. He was just thinking about other members. He already had [his own] insurance ... and retirement," Montgomery explained.
Representative [[Wayne Waddell]], a Shreveport Republican first elected in a 1997 special election, said that he voted for the health-benefits bill because it "means too much to Hoppy."
Representative Leo Wayne Waddell, a Shreveport Republican first elected in a 1997 special election, said that he voted for the health-benefits bill because it "means too much to Hoppy."
Then House Speaker Joe Salter, a Democrat from Florien in Sabine Parish, said that Hopkins could not be pressured to support or oppose legislation. Salter noted that the commissioner of administration once threatened Hopkins about projects in north Caddo Parish. "Hoppy told him to go ahead and pull the damn things, but he wasn't voting" as the commissioner of administration requested, Salter said.
Then House Speaker Joe Salter, a Democrat from Florien in Sabine Parish, said that Hopkins could not be pressured to support or oppose legislation. Salter noted that the commissioner of administration once threatened Hopkins about projects in north Caddo Parish. "Hoppy told him to go ahead and pull the damn things, but he wasn't voting" as the commissioner of administration requested, Salter said.
An avid [[golf]]er and hunter, Hopkins was a member of the Monterey Country Club in Vivian and was among a regular group of House members who managed to play nine holes of golf before morning committee meetings during legislative sessions, noted ''The Times''. The same was also said of an earlier occupant of the north Caddo House seat, [[Jimmy Wilson]], a Democrat and later Republican from Vivian.
An avid [[golf]]er and hunter, Hopkins was a member of the Monterey Country Club in Vivian and was among a regular group of House members who managed to play nine holes of golf before morning committee meetings during legislative sessions, noted ''The Times''. The same was also said of an earlier occupant of the north Caddo House seat, [[Jimmy Wilson]], a Democrat and later Republican from Vivian.
==Death and legacy==
==Death and legacy==