Disgraced former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards, who spent eight years in federal prison after being convicted of a litany of racketeering, extortion and money laundering charges, is mulling a bid for Louisiana’s 6th District, according to a local report.
Edwards, 86, is allegedly considering a bid for the seat being vacated by GOP Rep. Bill Cassidy because he believes the field on both sides of the aisle is weak, according to the Hay Ride, a Louisiana politics blog.
Three Republicans are currently running in the open-seat contest: state Sen. Dan Claitor, businessman Paul Dietzel and attorney Cassie Felder. Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, a Republican, is also considering a bid.
Edwards, who represented Louisiana’s 7th District from 1965 to 1972 before being elected governor, would be the first Democrat to enter the contest.
Although Edwards was convicted on federal charges, he can still run for and be elected to Congress, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Most recently, Edwards’ life was depicted on the reality TV show “The Governor’s Wife” on A&E. The show was quickly canceled due to poor viewership.
Louisiana’s 6th District is deeply conservative. GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney carried the district by a 34-point margin in 2012.
Louisiana’s 6th District is rated a Safe Republican contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.
