Former Louisana Governor, Edwin Edwards, dies at the age of 93

Former Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards, 93, died of respiratory problems on Monday, July 12. He served as the governor of Louisiana for four terms. 

Edwards, the last Democratic governor, served consecutive terms from 1972-80 and single terms from 1984-88 and 1992-96. He also served as a state senator from 1965-72.

“I’ve had a great life. “I’ve been around the world six times and in every state and there’s not a better place in America and the world than Louisiana” he said in an interview with USA Today Network in 2017. 

Edwards, known for his one-liners, was popular during the 1980s when oil and gas industry boom funded his expansions of social programs in Louisiana. He was also involved in the making of the Louisiana Constitution, which was adopted in 1974 and remains in place even today. 

His fourth term as governor turned out to be an ugly time when corruption charges were filed against him. He served more than eight years in prison from 2002-12 on charges such as racketeering, extortion, money laundering, mail fraud, and wire convictions. 

In 2014, he made a comeback when he ran for Congress, which he lost to Republican Congressman Garret Graves.