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===Six legislative elections as a Democrat===

===Six legislative elections as a Democrat===

At the age of twenty-five, Bagert won a [[special election]] in 1970  for the Louisiana House of Representatives. He won full terms to the state House in 1972, 1975, and 1979. He was a member of the "Young Turks" reformers led by future House Speaker [[E. L. "Bubba" Henry]] of Jonesboro, in [[Jackson Parish]] and [[Robert G. Jones]] of [[Lake Charles]], the son of former Governor [[Sam Houston Jones]]. Bagert often questioned certain state expenditures. In the spring of 1972, for instance, he asked why the state continued to spend more than $214,000 per year to maintain the Louisiana Livestock Brand Commission, which he described as a useless entity whose members merely drove around searching for stolen cows and checking brands on the animals.<ref>Charles Leyton, United Press International, "Bagert Says Commission Wastes Taxpayers' Funds," June 2, 1972.</ref>

At the age of twenty-five, Bagert won a [[special election]] in 1970  for the Louisiana House of Representatives. He won full terms to the state House in 1972, 1975, and 1979. He was a member of the "Young Turks" reformers led by future House Speaker [[E. L. "Bubba" Henry]] of Jonesboro, in Jackson Parish and [[Robert G. Jones]] of [[Lake Charles]], the son of former Governor [[Sam Houston Jones]]. Bagert often questioned certain state expenditures. In the spring of 1972, for instance, he asked why the state continued to spend more than $214,000 per year to maintain the Louisiana Livestock Brand Commission, which he described as a useless entity whose members merely drove around searching for stolen cows and checking brands on the animals.<ref>Charles Leyton, United Press International, "Bagert Says Commission Wastes Taxpayers' Funds," June 2, 1972.</ref>

In the House, Bagert held leadership positions including the chairmanships of the Criminal Justice Committee and the Commerce, Insurance, and Banking Committee. In 1983, he was elected to the first of two terms to the state Senate. In his last election victory, in the 1987 nonpartisan blanket primary, Bagert defeated his Republican opponent, Harry T. Begg, III, 23,953 votes (89 percent) to 3,043 (11 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 24, 1987.</ref>

In the House, Bagert held leadership positions including the chairmanships of the Criminal Justice Committee and the Commerce, Insurance, and Banking Committee. In 1983, he was elected to the first of two terms to the state Senate. In his last election victory, in the 1987 nonpartisan blanket primary, Bagert defeated his Republican opponent, Harry T. Begg, III, 23,953 votes (89 percent) to 3,043 (11 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 24, 1987.</ref>

In 1989, after voters rejected a $700 million tax reform package submitted by then Governor [[Buddy Roemer]], Bagert replied:<blockquote>'''Let's do some major budget cutting before we even think about more taxes. ... People voted for a revolution in state government in 1987 [when Roemer was elected] ... They are still waiting.'''<ref>"'So, Where's the Revolution?,'' Sen. Ben Bagert says people still waiting," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' May 17, 1989, g. 5A.</ref></blockquote>​

In 1989, after voters rejected a $700 million tax reform package submitted by then Governor [[Buddy Roemer]], Bagert replied:<blockquote>'''Let's do some major budget cutting before we even think about more taxes. ... People voted for a revolution in state government in 1987 [when Roemer was elected] ... They are still waiting.'''<ref>"'So, Where's the Revolution?,'' Sen. Ben Bagert says people still waiting," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' May 17, 1989, g. 5A.</ref></blockquote>​

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===The aborted senatorial campaign of 1990===

===The aborted senatorial campaign of 1990===

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