Edwin Edwards

From dKosopedia

Categories: Louisiana Democrats | Corrupt politicians

Fun Facts!

• During his first term as Governor, filled a U.S. Senate vacancy by appointing his wife, Elaine.

External Links

• EDWARDS, Edwin Washington from Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-Present

Edwards, Edwin Washington

Democratic four-term governor of Louisiana (1972-1980; 1984-1988; 1992-1996), noted for his folksy off-the-cuff remarks and for overcoming substantiated charges of corruption to win office. Edwards is currently serving a prison term for accepting bribes in exchange for favors while he was governor.

First won election as Governor in 1971 and took his seat in 1972. Was re-elected in 1975, and held office until 1980, when he was replaced by Louisiana's first post-Reconstruction Republican governor, David Treen. Edwards defeated Treen in the 1983 elections, and in 1987, ran for re-election. He and Rep. Buddy Roemer made it to the runoffs, and then Edwards dropped out suddenly, essentially handing the race to Roemer. In 1991, he came back and defeated Roemer and Ex-Klansman David Duke. He served until 1996, when he was replaced by Mike Foster. [[