Dr. McDonald was born in Jackson Parish, Louisiana. He received his Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees from Northeast Louisiana University, now known as the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM). He completed additional graduate work at Auburn University.
Dr. McDonald was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served in combat during the Berlin Crisis in Germany with the 2nd Armored Calvary.
He served in the Louisiana House of Representatives for 17 years. During his tenure in the State Legislature, he worked in the areas of education, agriculture, commerce and appropriations. He also authored the TOPS Scholarship Program in 1997.
Dr. McDonald has received many honors and recognitions such as three Governor Awards, the ULM Golden Arrow award along with serving on several national boards.
His work in public education spanned more than 30 years as a teacher, coach and principal. Dr. McDonald served 17 years on the staff of ULM.
Currently, Dr. McDonald serves as senior managing partner of Freedom Mobility, LLC which manufactures outdoor wheelchairs for wounded warriors. He is the owner of CMAC & Associates, a health governmental consulting firm. He presently serves on the Learning Tech Board of Directors, a school for educationally challenged children.
Dr. McDonald is married to Mamie Jo McDonald He has one son, R. Scott McDonald and two grandchildren, McKenzie and Tucker.
Dr. McDonald will serve as a representative of the 5th Congressional District, and his term of service will end on December 31, 2022.