Former Louisiana Governor Edwin Washington Edwards died today. He was 93.
A statement released by Edward’s biographer Leo Honeycutt reads in part:
Last Monday, Edwards had placed himself in hospice care following a trip the day before by ambulance to nearby Our Lady of the Lake St. Elizabeth Hospital with complaints of pain in his right lung. Physicians took X-rays and a CAT scan of both lungs but said the tests revealed nothing.
In placing himself in hospice, the former governor explained he was saving others the trouble of his repeated trips to the hospital. “Since I have been in and out of hospitals in recent years with pneumonia and other respiratory problems, causing a lot of people a lot of trouble, I have decided to retain the services of qualified hospice doctors and nurses at my home.”
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The former governor stopped breathing at 7:00 this morning, surrounded by his wife Trina and son Eli, his hospice nurse Peggy Gautreau, and other close family and friends, Honeycutt said.
Among Edwards’ last words were, “I have lived a good life, had better breaks than most, had some bad breaks, too, but that’s all part of it. I tried to help as many people as I could and I hope I did that, and I hope, if I did, that they will help others, too. I love Louisiana and I always will.”
Edwards would have celebrated his 94th birthday on August 7.
The colorful leader was the state's only four term governor, and the only governor to serve time in prison on federal corruption charges.
-Born: August 7, 1927 in Avoyelles Parish, near Marksville, Louisiana
-Political Affiliation: Democrat
-Religious Affiliation: Catholic
-Education: LSU; LSU Law School 1949
-Career Prior to Term: U.S. Navy aviation cadet; City Councilman; State Senator; U.S. Representative; lawyer
-How He Became Governor: Elected in 1972, 1976, 1983 and 1991
-Career After Term: Lawyer. Realtor
The Louisiana Secretary of State's bio on Edwards says:
Edwin Washington Edwards was elected to his first term by an unprecedented combination of "Cajun" and black votes.
His administration was marked by several accomplishments.
Edwards supported a constitutional convention to replace the unwieldy Constitution of 1921. The new Constitution, written in 1973 and made effective in 1975, directed the Governor to reorganize the executive branch. Edwards also pushed for legislation tying the severance tax on crude oil to a percentage of the barrel price rather than a flat fee.
High energy prices of the 70's helped Louisiana maintain a balanced budget during Edwards' first two terms.
Edwards named blacks to key state positions and his support of black politicians resulted in a mutually beneficial relationship. He supported the "open primary" which pitted candidates of all parties against each other in a first general primary which inadvertently strengthened the Republican Party in state elections as Democrats split their votes.
Edwards' third term was marked by Federal indictments, but not convictions, for mail fraud, obstruction of justice and public bribery stemming from the sale of hospital certificates, and coincided with failing oil prices and failing state revenues.
Thought to be politically dead after conceding the 1987 race to Buddy Roemer, Edwards roared back into the Governor’s Mansion for an unprecedented fourth term in 1992. Not since his first gubernatorial election had Edwards received the endorsement of so many major newspapers and organizations - all intent on keeping former Ku Klux Klansman David Duke out of office. Early in his fourth term, Edwards led the passage of land-based casino gambling legislation.
Edwards faced federal corruption trials three times. He beat the charges the first two trials as he charmed jurors from the stand in New Orleans courtrooms.
The third time his trial was moved to Baton Rouge, where jurors convicted him. He was found guilty of conspiring to fix the riverboat casino licensing process and taking large kickbacks from applicants.
Edwards served more than 8 years behind bars before his release in 2011.
He went on to marry a woman more than 50 years younger. He met Trina when she came to visit him him in prison, after she read his book. They went on to have their son together.
His wild and dramatic career included the 1991 governor’s race where he went head to head with former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke.
Edwards won the race with more than a million votes (1,057,031). That was the most votes ever for a Louisiana gubernatorial candidate.
Edwards’ first wife was Elaine Schwartzenburg. They met in high school. They had four children Anna, Victoria, Stephen, and David. Edwin and Elaine divorced in 1989.
In 1994 he married his second wife Candy Picou. They divorced while Edwards was in prison in 2004.
His widow, Trina Scott Edwards, said, “He was so optimistic all the time. Nothing bothered him except bothering other people. It’s heartbreaking for me because I know he so wanted to make Eli’s 8th birthday party August 1.” Eli Wallace Edwards, 7-years-old, is the late governor’s fifth child. The Edwardses would’ve been married ten years on July 29.
Mrs. Edwards added, “His last words were to Eli. Eli told him every night, ‘I love you.’ And he told Eli, ‘I love you, too.’ Those were his last words.”
Edwin Edwards’ oldest child, Anna Edwards, said, “I am heartbroken at the loss of my father. He was a profound influence in my life and I will always miss him. His passing will create a huge void, but I sincerely thank everyone who expressed love and concern. He touched the lives of many fellow Louisianans and I know he will be remembered with great fondness.”
Son Stephen Edwards, who worked alongside his father in the Edwards Law Firm, said, “My dad never saw color and never turned his back on anyone in need. He helped all -especially me. He was an infallible pillar of strength but he kept a piece of tremendous pain for the rest of his life for the murder of his baby brother Nolan. Dad’s successes made him a legend but his losses made him human and his humanity made him easy to love. Louisiana has lost the love of its life. Goodbye Dad.”