Joe R. Salter
Joe Reece Salter (born August 13, 1943) is an American politician and educator serving as the director of governmental affairs of the Louisiana State Department of Education and a Democratic former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives. In 1986, he represented District 24 in northwestern Louisiana, which then included Sabine, De Soto, Bienville, and Red River parishes.
Joe Reece Salter | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 24th district | |
| In office 1986 – January 14, 2008 | |
| Preceded by | H.M. "Mutt" Fowler |
| Succeeded by | Frank A. Howard |
| Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives | |
| In office January 12, 2004 – January 14, 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Charles W. DeWitt, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Jim Tucker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 13, 1943 Florien, Louisiana |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Bettye Lilly Salter |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Educator |
Early life and education
Salter graduated from Florien High School in 1961. He obtained his Bachelor of Science and master's degree in professional education from Northwestern State University.
Career
He began teaching in 1965 in Sabine Parish. In 1969, he became principal of Florien High School, and became the assistant superintendent of schools for Sabine Parish in 1980.
Salter was elected without opposition for his first full term in the legislature in the 1987 jungle primary. In 1991, however, he faced a runoff, officially the general election in Louisiana, with fellow Democrat Kenneth Simmons. Salter prevailed 10,054 (53.9 percent) to Simmons' 8,617 (46.2 percent).[1] In 1995, Salter faced a "No party" challenger, Lowray "Matt" Chachere, but prevailed, 12,041 (75.9 percent) to 3,831 (24.1 percent).[2] No one challenged Salter in 1999.[3]
Speaker
In 2004, Salter was selected by Democratic Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco as her choice to be the 62nd Speaker of the Louisiana House to succeed Charles W. DeWitt, Jr.
Salter served on the House Education Committee, the Appropriations Committee, the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, and the Joint Capital Outlay Committee.[4]
Salter has been vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches. He has served too on the advisory board Northwestern State University - Leesville/Fort Polk campus. On a regional and national level, he served on the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and their education committee, the Southern Regional Education Board Legislative Advisory Council, and the Education Commission of the States.[4]
In 2008, Salter was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.[5]
References
- Louisiana Secretary of State-Parish Elections Inquiry
- Louisiana Secretary of State-Multi-Parish Elections Inquiry
- Louisiana Secretary of State-Multi-Parish Elections Inquiry Archived December 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- Louisiana House of Representatives - Internet Portal
- "Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame". cityofwinnfield.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2009. Retrieved August 22, 2009.
- Louisiana State House of Representatives - District 24 Archived 2006-11-11 at the Wayback Machine
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Charles W. DeWitt, Jr. |
Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Joe Reece Salter |
Succeeded by Jim Tucker |
| Louisiana House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by H.M. "Mutt" Fowler |
Louisiana State Representative from District 24 (Sabine and Red River and parts of De Soto and Vernon parishes)
Joe Reece Salter |
Succeeded by Frank A. Howard |