Edwin Edwards

Edwin Edwards
Name	Edwin Edwards
Caption	Edwards in 1972
Order	50th
Office	Governor of Louisiana
Term start	March 9, 1980
Term end	March 12, 1984
Lieutenant	Robert L. Freeman
Predecessor	David C. Treen
Successor	David C. Treen
Order2	49th
Office2	Governor of Louisiana
Term start2	May 9, 1972
Term end2	March 10, 1980
Lieutenant2	James E. Fitzmorris
Predecessor2	John McKeithen
Successor2	David C. Treen
Office3	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 7th congressional district
Term start3	October 2, 1965
Term end3	May 9, 1972
Predecessor3	T. Ashton Thompson
Successor3	John B. Breaux
Office4	Member of the Louisiana State Senate
Term start4	1964
Term end4	1965
Office5	Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Term start5	1954
Term end5	1964
Birth name	Edwin Washington Edwards
Birth date	7 August 1927
Birth place	Marksville, Louisiana, U.S.
Death date	12 July 2021
Death place	Gonzales, Louisiana, U.S.
Party	Democratic
Spouse	* Elaine Schwartzenburg (m. 1949; div. 1989) * Candace Picou (m. 1994; died 2014) * Trina Grimes Scott (m. 2011)
Children	5, including Stephen Edwards
Education	Louisiana State University (no degree)
Occupation	Attorney, Politician

Edwin Edwards was a charismatic and controversial American politician who dominated the political landscape of Louisiana for decades. A member of the Democratic Party, he served four terms as the state's governor, a record matched only by Earl Long and Mike Foster. His flamboyant personality and shrewd political acumen earned him a devoted following, though his career was ultimately marred by federal corruption trials and a prison sentence.

Early life and education

Born in Marksville, Louisiana, he was the son of a sharecropper and spoke Cajun French before learning English. After serving in the United States Navy during World War II, he attended Louisiana State University but left before graduating to study law. He passed the Louisiana bar examination in 1949 and began practicing law in Crowley, quickly establishing himself within the Acadiana political scene.

Political career

His political ascent began with election to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1954, followed by a term in the Louisiana State Senate. In a 1965 special election, he won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Louisiana's 7th congressional district. In Washington, D.C., he served on the influential House Ways and Means Committee and developed a reputation as a skilled negotiator for Louisiana's oil and gas interests. He resigned from Congress in 1972 to run for higher office.

Governorship

He was first elected Governor of Louisiana in 1971, succeeding John McKeithen. His administration was marked by the consolidation of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, expansion of social services, and a pro-business stance that included attracting gambling to New Orleans. Known for his wit and populist touch, he famously defeated David C. Treen in 1983 with the slogan "Vote for the Crook. It's Important," alluding to his opponent's dullness. His later terms, including a comeback victory over David Duke in 1991, were overshadowed by growing federal investigations.

Legal issues and imprisonment

After years of scrutiny by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, he was indicted on federal racketeering charges in 2000 related to the licensing of riverboat casinos. The trial, held in Baton Rouge, resulted in a conviction on charges including extortion and fraud. In 2002, he was sentenced to ten years in federal prison and began serving his term at the Federal Correctional Institution, Fort Worth. He was released to a halfway house in 2011 after serving eight years.

Later life and death

Following his release from prison, he remained a public figure in Louisiana, launching a podcast and making occasional media appearances. In 2014, he made an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in Louisiana's 6th congressional district. He spent his final years in Gonzales, Louisiana, and died at his home in 2021 at the age of 93.

Personal life

He was married three times: first to Elaine Schwartzenburg, with whom he had four children including son Stephen Edwards; then to Candace Picou; and finally to Trina Grimes Scott in 2011. His life was the subject of numerous books and a 2020 documentary series on Showtime. A Roman Catholic, he maintained deep ties to the Cajun culture of his youth throughout his life.

Category:1927 births Category:2021 deaths Category:Governors of Louisiana Category:American people convicted of corruption