Charles W. DeWitt, Jr.

For other people named Charles DeWitt, see Charles DeWitt (disambiguation).

Charles W. "Charlie" DeWitt, Jr.
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 25 (Rapides and Vernon parishes)
In office March 1980 – January 2008
Preceded by	Wilbur Dyer
Succeeded by	Chris Roy, Jr.
Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives
In office 2000–2004
Preceded by	Huntington B. "Hunt" Downer
Succeeded by	Joe Salter
Personal details
Born	February 4, 1947 (1947-02-04) (age 64) Alexandria, Louisiana
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Patricia "Dale" Riddick DeWitt
Children	Dr. Chance DeWitt Renée DeWitt Verma
Alma mater	Bolton High School
Occupation	Farmer; Rancher
Religion	Roman Catholic

Charles W. "Charlie" DeWitt, Jr. (born February 4, 1947), is a former Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, having served from District 25 (Rapides and Vernon parishes) from 1980 to 2008. He was the Speaker of the House from 2000 to 2004 during the second term of Republican Governor Murphy James "Mike" Foster, Jr. In Louisiana, the governor plays a major role in selecting the House speaker despite the separation of powers.

In 2004, DeWitt was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.

DeWitt was born to the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. DeWitt, Sr. He graduated from Bolton High School in Alexandria in 1965. One of his classmates was another future Louisiana state legislator, Jock Scott, of District 27. The two were also House colleagues from 1980 to 1988, but Scott switched to the GOP in 1985.

DeWitt is married to the former Patricia "Dale" Riddick. A farm-ranch operative, DeWitt is a member of the Cattleman's Association and the coproducer of a rodeo company. Their mailing address is in Lecompte (pronounced LE COUNT) in southern Rapides Parish.

Prior to his legislative service, DeWitt was a member of the Rapides Parish Police Jury, the parish's governing board, akin to the county commission in other states, from 1972-1980. He was the jury vice president from 1976–1978, having served under the president, L. B. Henry of Pineville. He is a member of the Amicus Club and serves on the advisory board of the Alexandria Area Child Protection Agency. He is on the board of directors of the Farm Bureau. He was chairman of the Heart Fund and a former member of the Rapides Parish Stormwater Management and Drainage District.

Early in 2007, DeWitt was diagnosed with lung cancer and is undergoing treatment. The disease was found in an examination conducted by his son, the Alexandria physician Dr. Chance DeWitt. Both of his parents were cancer victims. The recovery rate based on early detection of the cancer is considered very good.

DeWitt was term-limited from seeking a seventh term in the state House in the October 20, 2007 jungle primary. His successor is fellow Democrat Christopher Roy, Jr., brother of Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy. Roy defeated Republican Lance Maxwell in the November 17 general election. Maxwell had led in the primary with 6,226 votes (41 percent) to Roy's 5,282 ballots (35 percent). A third candidate, former Alexandria Police Chief Glen Beard, a Democrat, trailed with 3,538 votes (24 percent).

DeWitt stunned the Louisiana political scene in October when he endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Jindal, the outright winner of the primary election. DeWitt is Roman Catholic.

In 2004, DeWitt was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.^[1]

References

1. ^ "Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame". cityofwinnfield.com. http://www.cityofwinnfield.com/museum.html. Retrieved August 22, 2009. 

• http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070113/NEWS01/701130349
• http://www.enlou.com/officeholders/housedistrict25.htm
• http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms3&rqsdta=102007
• http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms3&rqsdta=111707

Political offices
Preceded by Huntington B. Downer	Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives Charles W. "Charlie" DeWitt, Jr. 2000–2004	Succeeded by Joe Salter
Louisiana House of Representatives
Preceded by Wilbur Dyer	Louisiana State Representative from District 25 (Rapides and Vernon parishes) Charles W. "Charlie" DeWitt, Jr. 1980–2008	Succeeded by Chris Roy, Jr.

Persondata
Name	DeWitt, Jr., Charles W.
Alternative names	Charlie DeWitt
Short description
Date of birth	February 4, 1947
Place of birth	Alexandria, Louisiana
Date of death
Place of death