Louisiana's Gamblin' Governor

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February 10th, 2017
Back Louisiana's Gamblin' Governor

Supporters as well as political foes said he was cut from the same cloth as Huey Long. But Edwin Washington Edwards, the four-term gambling governor from Louisiana, proclaimed his own rarity and didn't back off from doing things his way.

Born in the colorful Ayolelles Parish in the heart of Louisiana Cajun country, Edwards learned to speak French, English and Cajun French. He grew up eating crawfish and grits, became friends with Creoles and blacks, admired the tactics of former Louisiana Governors Huey and Earl Long, and was determined to succeed in politics.

He served briefly in the U.S. Naval Air Corps around the end of World War 2 and upon his honorable discharge enrolled at Louisiana State University Law Center where, at the age of 21, he graduated with a law degree.

A lifelong teetotaler, Edwards dabbled in the ministry and served as pastor at the Marksville Church of the Nazarene in his home town. He preached some sermons before deciding the ministerial life was not for him.

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A former aide and body guard said Edwards had three passions, all of which he pursued fervently: politics, gambling and women.

'The only thing he used alcohol for was to wash himself off after he had sex,' the aide wrote in a book he published about Edwards. The book was titled 'Just Takin' Orders' and described Edwards colorful life in politics and Las Vegas.

Edwards was always impeccably dressed and always had a quip or one-liner for the press or a political opponent. When an opposition candidate asked him why he talked out of both sides of his mouth, Edwards shot back, 'So people like you with half a brain can understand me.'

He was a life-long Democrat and served as a Congressman from 1965-72. In 1972, he ran for governor. The voters liked his style and elected him to two terms as governor. He ran again in 1984, won a third term, and ran a winning campaign in 1992 for his final term in office.

Like Huey Long who boasted that he would leave office as a millionaire but while he was governor, he would give the voters hospitals, schools, bridges and good highways, Edwards was corrupt and didn't try to hide it.

He would often fly to Las Vegas with a suitcase filled with cash. The silver-haired governor with the sharp Southern wit was a high roller who was treated generously by the Las Vegas casinos that rolled out the red carpet for him.

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Black voters loved him and gave Edwards their support. He supported civil rights and appointed many blacks to top political positions. His Commissioner of Administration Charles Roemer was close friends with Mafia boss Carlos Marcello, who owned a popular restaurant just outside New Orleans. Marcello was later implicated in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, but never faced any criminal charges.

When he ran for his fourth term as governor, he was so confident of winning that he boasted to the press, 'The only way I can lose this election is to be caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy.'

He won one of his elections against Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. The former governor of Louisiana afinished third behind both of them.

Edwards promoted the legalization of gambling in Louisiana. He was a frequent visitor to the New Orleans Athletic Club which for years held a weekly high-stakes poker game.

I lived in Mandeville, LA. for a year, working as associate editor of a commercial fishing magazine, and played poker at the same club. I still remember the day Gov. Edwards walked into the place with a big smile.

He shook hands with the attorneys, judges and other officials who were there working out or playing poker. When he met me, he shook my hand, smiled, and said, 'It's always a pleasure to meet a damn Yankee.'

Edwards, who is 89, has been married three times. He and his third wife, Trina, who is 51 years his junior, starred in a reality television show, 'The Governor's Wife.'

At the age of 87, Edwards tried again to run for governor. Although he made the run-off, he lost to the winner and retired from politics. From what I hear he is still playing poker. Viva Las Vegas and viva Edwin Edwards, who never saw a challenge he could not overcome.

“he pursued fervently: politics, gambling and women”

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