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Oramel Hinckley Simpson 1926-1928

Born: March 20, 1870 in Washington, Louisiana
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Religious Affiliation: Methodist
Education: Centenary College at Jackson and Tulane Law School
Career Prior to Term: Lt. Governor
How He Became Governor: Succeeded upon the death of Fuqua in 1926
Career after Term: Secretary of the Senate
Died: November 17, 1932 in New Orleans, Louisiana from a heart seizure

Oramel Simpson succeeded to the office of Governor from his position as Lieutenant Governor on October 11, 1926 when his predecessor, Governor Fuqua died.

Simpson inherited Fuqua's office and the controversy over the state contract to build the Lake Pontchartrain bridge from eastern New Orleans to Slidell. The new Governor opposed the bridge because the contract had been awarded by Governor Fuqua to investors allied with the New Orleans machine - Simpson's political enemy. To thwart the Behrman machine, Simpson pushed for a non-toll bridge to be built from Chef Menteur. A new free bridge would take business and revenue from the toll bridge. Later he started a free ferry service to reduce the toll bridge's revenue.

Simpson's biggest challenge came in the Mississippi River flood of 1927. With New Orleans threatened, he ordered a "downriver cut" in the levee. Property owners from the downriver parishes received compensation for their losses from the Legislature.

Although at heart a conservative, his opposition to Behrman's machine in New Orleans helped pave the way for the election of Huey Long.

Simpson died in New Orleans in 1932.

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