Charles W. DeWitt Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives | |
| In office 2000–2004 | |
| Preceded by | Hunt Downer |
| Succeeded by | Joe R. Salter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1947-02-04)February 4, 1947 (age 78) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Profession | Cattle rancher, politician |
Charles W. DeWitt Jr. (born February 4, 1947) is a politician fromLouisiana, United States. He served in theLouisiana House of Representatives beginning in 1979. He served asSpeaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives starting in January 2000, marking him as the first individual fromRapides Parish to hold the position. DeWitt, a member of theDemocratic Party, began his political career on the Rapides Parish Police Jury before being elected to the Louisiana House in 1979.[1]
DeWitt's political career started with his service on the Rapides Parish Police Jury, followed by his election to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1979. He was elected as Speaker of the House in January 2000,[2][3] during which he was instrumental in promoting significant educational reforms, including the upgrading ofLSU-Alexandria from a two-year to a four-year institution.[4][5]
In addition to his role in the state legislature, DeWitt briefly served on theLouisiana Public Service Commission in 2016, filling the unexpired term ofClyde Holloway, who died unexpectedly.[6][7]