Three years after his release from federal prison, former governor enters the race for Louisiana's 6th Congressional District, ending months of speculation.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards says he will enter the race for Louisiana's 6th Congressional District, ending months of speculation about the political future of the 86-year-old Edwards.
Former Gov. Edwin Edwards, announcing Monday that he is running for Congress
The congressional seat is being vacated by Republican Bill Cassidy, who is running for Senate against incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu.
A federal felony conviction keeps Edwards from running for state offices, but not from a congressional seat.
Edwards, a Democrat, served two terms as governor in the 1970s. He was re-elected in 1983 and made another comeback for a fourth term in 1991.
A felony conviction arising from the licensing of riverboat casinos in his fourth term led to eight years in prison.
Edwards' announcement Monday came during a Press Club luncheon at a Baton Rouge casino.