Former La. Gov. Edwin Edwards Is Running For Congress
The once disgraced politician says expanding health care accessibility will be a key part of his campaign. He finds fault with part of the health law but is more critical of Gov. Bobby Jindal's decision not to expand Medicaid.
Los Angeles Times: Ex-Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards Launches Comeback Bid For Congress
Now, in his latest exhibition of life as political performance art, Edwin Edwards — former Louisiana governor, convicted racketeer, celebrated womanizer and, at age 86, new father — announced Monday he would be a candidate for Congress. … He said improving accessibility to healthcare would be a centerpiece of his congressional campaign. He criticized the state’s Republican governor, Bobby Jindal, for refusing to accept expanded Medicaid coverage under the federal Affordable Care Act, more widely known as Obamacare (Barabak, 3/17).
The Associated Press: Edwin Edwards Running For Congress In Louisiana
Edwards made the announcement at a meeting of the Press Club of Baton Rouge. He entered a crowded meeting room with his third wife, Trina, more than 50 years his junior. He pushed a baby carriage with their infant son, Eli Wallace Edwards, born last August. … A lifelong Democrat, he sounded as though he was shaping a platform aimed at swaying voters in a conservative district that leans Republican. … He was critical of Democratic President Barack Obama's health care law, saying it was "fraught with pitfalls" and failed to allow people to keep insurance policies they like. Still, he embraced parts of the law, including prohibitions against denying insurance to people because of pre-existing conditions. And he said he would work to reverse Gov. Bobby Jindal's refusal to accept expanded Medicaid coverage under that law (McGill, 3/17).