Joe R. Salter
Encyclopedia
Joe Reece Salter is the director of governmental affairs of the Louisiana
State Department of Education
and a former Democratic
Speaker
of the Louisiana House of Representatives
. In 1986, he began representing District 24 in northwestern Louisiana, which then included Sabine, De Soto, Bienville, and Red River parishes. He was initially seated after a special election was held to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of H.M. "Mutt" Fowler of Coushatta
, the seat of Red River Parish.
in Sabine Parish, Salter graduated in 1961 from Florien High School. He obtained his bachelor of science
and master's degree
in professional education from Northwestern State University
in Natchitoches
, where he was Phi Delta Kappa
and also affiliated with Phi Kappa Phi
honor society and the Blue Key honor fraternity
. He began teaching in 1965 in Sabine Parish. In 1969, he became principal of Florien High School, having succeeded his father-in-law in that position. In 1980, Salter became the assistant superintendent of schools for Sabine Parish. He is affiliated with the interest group, the Louisiana Association of School Executives. Salter has also been a bank board member, a Florien town alderman
, and a member of his parish Fire Protection District. Salter's wife, the former Bettye Lilly, is a former teacher. The couple has two children, Amanda M. Gibbs and Brantley Reece Salter. Salter is a member of the Lions Club and Rotary International
. He is Baptist
.
. 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). In 1995, Salter faced a "No party" challenger, Lowray "Matt" Chachere, but prevailed, 12,041 (75.9 percent) to 3,831 (24.1 percent).
No one challenged Salter in 1999. In his last election on October 4, 2003, Salter, with 10,794 votes (75.9 percent), handily defeated two fellow Republican's, Jack Adair (11.8 percent) and Charles "Chuck" Adcock (12.3 percent).
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco as her choice to be the 62nd Speaker of the Louisiana House to succeed Charles W. DeWitt, Jr.
, of Rapides Parish as presiding officer. He was the first person from his House district ever to be Speaker. Unlike most states, Louisiana's governor recommends a choice for speaker, and that person is almost always chosen by the full chamber.
Considering his experience in education, Salter served on the House Education Committee and on the key committees which address the budget and financing of state government – Appropriations Committee, the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, and the Joint Capital Outlay Committee.
Salter's honors include the following: Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Golden Apple Award (1986, 1987, 1990) and Representative of the Year Award (1991 and 2001); Louisiana Association of Educators Friend of Education (1994), Outstanding Serve Award and Legislative Honor Roll (1997), and Outstanding Legislator (2001); Louisiana Library Association Distinguished Legislator of the Year (1989); Louisiana Council on Aging Directors’ Association, Champion of Senior Citizen Issues in Louisiana Special Award (2001); Fleur de Lis Health Care Leadership Award (2002); Guardian of Small Business Award( 1991) Louisiana Rural Health Association, Legislator of the Year (1995); Louisiana Public Broadcasting President’s Award (2000); Police Jury Association of Louisiana Friend of the Parishes (1997). He is a member of the Coushatta-Red River and Sabine Parish chambers of commerce, Toledo Bend Reservoir
Citizens Advisory Committee, and Toledo Bend Lake Association.
Salter has been vice chairman of the board of Ddrectors 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.
Governor Bobby Jindal
. The superintendent is selected by the 11-member elected Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and while the governor's recommendation is significant, it is not binding. Salter will act as a lobbyist and liaison officer for the Education Department with his former colleagues in the legislature, with the state's congressional delegation, and with local school boards.
succeed Salter as Speaker of the House, but Republican Frank A. Howard
followed him in the District 24 seat. The district grew more Republican with the removal of heavily Democratic Bienville Parish and the placement of fifteen precincts in Vernon Parish, which is more politically balanced between the parties. Frankie Howard, as he is known, hence became in 2008 the first Republican representative ever from District 24.
In 2008, Salter was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame
in Winnfield
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
State Department of Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
and a former Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Speaker
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
. In 1986, he began representing District 24 in northwestern Louisiana, which then included Sabine, De Soto, Bienville, and Red River parishes. He was initially seated after a special election was held to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of H.M. "Mutt" Fowler of Coushatta
Coushatta, Louisiana
Coushatta is a town in and the parish seat of rural Red River Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is situated on the east bank of the Red River. The community is approximately forty-five miles south of Shreveport on U.S. Highway 71...
, the seat of Red River Parish.
Early years and education
A native of FlorienFlorien, Louisiana
Florien is a village in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 692 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Florien is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land....
in Sabine Parish, Salter graduated in 1961 from Florien High School. He obtained his bachelor of science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
and master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in professional education from Northwestern State University
Northwestern State University
Northwestern State University, known as NSU, is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.NSU was founded in 1884 as...
in Natchitoches
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches is a city in and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. Established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as part of French Louisiana, the community was named after the Natchitoches Indian tribe. The City of Natchitoches was first incorporated on February...
, where he was Phi Delta Kappa
Phi Delta Kappa
Phi Delta Kappa is an US professional organization for educators. Its headquarters are located in Bloomington, Indiana. It was founded on 24 January 1906. Phi Delta Kappa also had a youth organization, called Xinos, girls, and Kudos, guys.-Membership:Currently, membership consists of students,...
and also affiliated with Phi Kappa Phi
Phi Kappa Phi
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is an honor society established 1897 to recognize and encourage superior scholarship without restriction as to area of study and to promote the "unity and democracy of education"...
honor society and the Blue Key honor fraternity
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
. He began teaching in 1965 in Sabine Parish. In 1969, he became principal of Florien High School, having succeeded his father-in-law in that position. In 1980, Salter became the assistant superintendent of schools for Sabine Parish. He is affiliated with the interest group, the Louisiana Association of School Executives. Salter has also been a bank board member, a Florien town alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
, and a member of his parish Fire Protection District. Salter's wife, the former Bettye Lilly, is a former teacher. The couple has two children, Amanda M. Gibbs and Brantley Reece Salter. Salter is a member of the Lions Club and Rotary International
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
. He is Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
.
Election history
Salter was elected without opposition for his first full term in the legislature in the 1987 jungle primaryJungle primary
A nonpartisan blanket primary is a primary election in which all candidates for elected office run in the same primary regardless of political party. Under this system, the top two candidates who receive the most votes advance to the next round, as in a runoff election...
. In 1991, however, he faced a runoff, officially the general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
in Louisiana, with fellow Democrat Kenneth Simmons. Salter prevailed 10,054 (53.9 percent) to Simmons' 8,617 (46.2 percent). In 1995, Salter faced a "No party" challenger, Lowray "Matt" Chachere, but prevailed, 12,041 (75.9 percent) to 3,831 (24.1 percent).
No one challenged Salter in 1999. In his last election on October 4, 2003, Salter, with 10,794 votes (75.9 percent), handily defeated two fellow Republican's, Jack Adair (11.8 percent) and Charles "Chuck" Adcock (12.3 percent).
Selection as Speaker
In 2004, Salter was tapped by Democratic GovernorGovernor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco as her choice to be the 62nd Speaker of the Louisiana House to succeed Charles W. DeWitt, Jr.
Charles W. DeWitt, Jr.
Charles W. "Charlie" DeWitt, Jr. , is a former Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, having served from District 25 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...
, of Rapides Parish as presiding officer. He was the first person from his House district ever to be Speaker. Unlike most states, Louisiana's governor recommends a choice for speaker, and that person is almost always chosen by the full chamber.
Considering his experience in education, Salter served on the House Education Committee and on the key committees which address the budget and financing of state government – Appropriations Committee, the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, and the Joint Capital Outlay Committee.
Salter's honors include the following: Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Golden Apple Award (1986, 1987, 1990) and Representative of the Year Award (1991 and 2001); Louisiana Association of Educators Friend of Education (1994), Outstanding Serve Award and Legislative Honor Roll (1997), and Outstanding Legislator (2001); Louisiana Library Association Distinguished Legislator of the Year (1989); Louisiana Council on Aging Directors’ Association, Champion of Senior Citizen Issues in Louisiana Special Award (2001); Fleur de Lis Health Care Leadership Award (2002); Guardian of Small Business Award( 1991) Louisiana Rural Health Association, Legislator of the Year (1995); Louisiana Public Broadcasting President’s Award (2000); Police Jury Association of Louisiana Friend of the Parishes (1997). He is a member of the Coushatta-Red River and Sabine Parish chambers of commerce, Toledo Bend Reservoir
Toledo Bend Reservoir
Toledo Bend Reservoir is a reservoir on the Sabine River between Texas and Louisiana. The lake has an area of 185,000 acres , the largest man-made body of water in Texas, the largest in the South, and the fifth largest in the United States. The dam is capable of generating 92 megawatts of...
Citizens Advisory Committee, and Toledo Bend Lake Association.
Salter has been vice chairman of the board of Ddrectors 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.
Education lobbyist
Salter was term-limited in the 2007 elections. In 2008, he began his latest position at a salary of $120,000 annually under Education Superintendent Paul Pastorek. In 2007, Pastorek assumed the superintendency on the death of Cecil Picard, a former member of both houses of the legislature. In Louisiana, the education was previously elected, but the post became appointive in the 1980s, Pastorek was retained by RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Governor Bobby Jindal
Bobby Jindal
Piyush "Bobby" Jindal is the 55th and current Governor of Louisiana and formerly a member of the United States House of Representatives. He is a member of the Republican Party....
. The superintendent is selected by the 11-member elected Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and while the governor's recommendation is significant, it is not binding. Salter will act as a lobbyist and liaison officer for the Education Department with his former colleagues in the legislature, with the state's congressional delegation, and with local school boards.
Two Republicans succeed Salter
Not only did Republican Jim TuckerJim Tucker (Louisiana politician)
James Wayne Tucker, known as Jim Tucker , is the departing Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, and an ally of Governor Bobby Jindal. An investment banker from the Terrytown section of the New Orleans metropolitan area, Tucker's District 86 includes precincts from both Jefferson and...
succeed Salter as Speaker of the House, but Republican Frank A. Howard
Frank A. Howard
Frank A. Howard, also known as Frankie Howard , is a former sheriff of Vernon Parish in western Louisiana, who has been since 2008 a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 24, which includes De Soto, Red River, Sabine, and Vernon parishes.Howard studied in the...
followed him in the District 24 seat. The district grew more Republican with the removal of heavily Democratic Bienville Parish and the placement of fifteen precincts in Vernon Parish, which is more politically balanced between the parties. Frankie Howard, as he is known, hence became in 2008 the first Republican representative ever from District 24.
In 2008, Salter was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame
Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame
The Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield, Louisiana, highlights the careers of more than a hundred of the state’s leading politicians and political journalists. Because three governors, Huey P. Long, Jr., Oscar K...
in Winnfield
Winnfield, Louisiana
Winnfield is a city in and the parish seat of Winn Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 5,749 at the 2000 census. It has long been associated with the Long faction of the Louisiana Democratic Party and was home to three governors of Louisiana.-Geography:Winnfield is located at ...