Mann says Edwards is selfishly seeking political redemption at the expense of Louisiana's political reputation. "The idea that any Democrat, much less a Democrat who spent eight years in prison, is gonna win this district is, I think, a pretty far-fetched notion," he says. Longtime Democratic operative Bob Mann, now a communications professor at Louisiana State University, agrees. "Louisiana is politically a very different place when Edwards was in his heyday," Samuels says. But who don't make mistakes? If God'll forgive him, I forgive him. "He was a great governor one time, very positive for Louisiana," Brown says. In downtown Baton Rouge, retired state worker Daron Brown says he's glad to see Edwards back. That's the common theme from Edwards supporters - that he was a governor who looked out for folks. "And a lot of people haven't forgotten that." "You know, I still hear people say he took care of the workingman," McMorris says. But he acknowledges Edwards has appeal even with conservatives. A staunch Republican, McMorris says he'll vote for one of the GOP candidates. "You never count out old-time politics," says farmer and real estate agent Mickey McMorris, who's in Edwards' audience. Gambling is his vice, he winks in characteristic style. He brushes off questions about seeking office in his 80s, saying he takes care of himself - doesn't smoke or drink. He's critical of the Affordable Care Act and supports the Keystone XL pipeline - issues the Republicans in this race are also talking about. Where I was there were no voting machines," he says to laughter. In a speech to the Kiwanis Club in suburban Denham Springs, Edwards puts some distance between himself and the nation's top Democrat - while joking about his past. Most Democrats would never make the cut in this very conservative district centered on Baton Rouge. If no one gets the majority, the top two candidates move on to a runoff in December. Now, Edwards is one of 13 congressional candidates all facing off Nov. The bumper stickers in that governor's race read: "Vote for the Crook. In the '90s, he beat former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. "But even at that I don't know if I'd have lost had I been caught," he says. In the '80s, despite being dogged by federal prosecutors, he famously quipped the only way he'd get beaten was if he was caught with a "dead woman or a live boy." Bill Cassidy announced he was running for the Senate, Edwards saw an opening - much to the surprise of pundits who thought he might not come out of prison alive, much less campaigning.Įdwards' political tenacity is legendary. Edwin Edwards walks with his wife, Trina Scott Edwards, and their son, Eli, on March 17, shortly before Edwards announced he would be running for Congress. But don't think for a second that age or the pen somehow softened his ability to work his audience - including an NPR reporter.įormer Louisiana Gov. With his roguish Cajun charm, and a new 30-something wife and 1-year old son by his side, the Democrat is running for Congress in a heavily Republican district.Ĭan he still woo voters, or is it a foolish campaign dredging up bad memories of the ethical swamp of Louisiana politics?Įdwards is 87, and he spent eight years in federal prison for corruption. Edwin Edwards - octogenarian, felon and former four-term governor of the state - is trying to make a political comeback. There's a familiar name on the ballot in Louisiana this fall. Edwards - nicknamed the "Silver Fox" - says public life is his calling. His campaign comes 50 years after he first served as a state senator, and three years after he was released from federal prison, where he was serving time on corruption charges. Edwin Edwards is launching a return to politics by running for Congress.
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