William Sumlin
William Robert Sumlin, Jr. (born October 30, 1943), is a Democratic former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. From 1983 to 1988, he represented District 12 in Lincoln and Union parishes.[1] He was succeeded by the Democrat-later-Republican Virgil Orr, a retired Louisiana Tech University administrator.[2]
| William Robert Sumlin, Jr. | |
Louisiana State Representative for
District 12 (Lincoln and Union parishes) | |
| In office 1983–1988 | |
| Preceded by | Joe Bleich |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | Virgil Orr |
| Residence | Simsboro, Lincoln Parish |
Sumlin led in a special election on September 11, 1982, to fill the legislative seat vacated by Democrat Joe Bleich, who became a judge. In the runoff contest in conjunction with the general election of November 2, 1982, Sumlin defeated fellow Democrat William J. "Troy" Lowe, 4,814 to 4,726, a majority of eighty-eight votes. In the regular 1983 primary, he was reelected to a full term with 54 percent of the ballots cast over two opponents, including Troy Lowe. In the regular primary of October 24, 1987, Sumlin trailed with 31 percent of the vote and then withdrew from a runoff with the successful candidate, Virgil Orr who finished in the primary with 44 percent of the ballots cast.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
Sumlin resides in rural Simsboro in Lincoln Parish west of Ruston.[1]