Edwin Edwards was the Democratic governor of Louisiana for four terms in the 1970s, ‘80s, and ‘90s.
- Died: July 12, 2021 (Who else died on July 12?)
- Details of death: Died at his home in Gonzales, Louisiana of respiratory problems at the age of 93.
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Four-term governor
After serving in the U.S. Navy Air Corps during World War II, Edwards became a lawyer and began serving on the city council in Crowley, Louisiana. He served briefly in the Louisiana Senate before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served from 1965 to 1972. In 1972, Edwards rose to the top of a crowded field of Democrats to win election as Louisiana’s governor. Once in office, he quickly distinguished himself by overhauling Louisiana’s election procedure and calling for a constitutional convention to rewrite the state’s constitution.
Edwards served two terms, the limit for consecutive terms in Louisiana, before stepping down in 1980. He ran again one term later and served as governor from 1984 to 1988, though he lost to Buddy Roemer (1943–2021) in the 1988 election. Edwards came back and won a final term as he ran against David Duke, serving again as governor from 1992 to 1996. He was one of only a handful of U.S. governors who have served four or more terms, boosted in part by the sense of humor that made him a popular candidate and governor.
Scandal and prison sentence
Though Edwards had populist appeal and was liked by many, his terms in office were plagued by scandals that eventually caught up with him. He was first indicted in 1985, for accepting payoffs from hospitals, though he was ultimately acquitted. Edwards went to court again in 2000 accused of bribery, extortion, and money laundering. This time, he was convicted. Edwards served eight years in federal prison, working as the prison’s librarian when he was incarcerated at Oakdale Federal Correctional Institute. He was released in 2011. In 2014, Edwards ran again for the U.S. House of Representatives, though he lost with only 38 percent of the vote.
Edwards on his proudest achievement
“I’m the only person who’s ever been elected governor of Louisiana four times. That’s a great achievement and makes me very proud, considering my humble beginnings. Even when I was in prison and since then, repeated polls have shown me and continue to show me as the most popular former governor, and I’m very, very honored by that.” —from a 2017 interview with Ellen Byron
Tributes to Edwin Edwards
Full obituary: The Advocate
