Charles W. DeWitt, Jr.

Who is Charles W. DeWitt, Jr.?

Charles W. "Charlie" DeWitt, Jr., is a Democratic former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, having served from District 25 from 1980 to 2008. He was the Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives 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 in southern Rapides Parish.