State officials, friends react to death of Edwin Edwards

LOUISIANA - Personal friends, state officials, former state officials, even political adversaries are reacting to Monday’s news of the death of former Governor Edwin W. Edwards.

Edwards had been slipping for a couple days, but always seemed to rebound, said Leo Honeycutt, a family friend who wrote Edwards biography. “He was still cracking jokes (Sunday) night, while he was still lucid,” Honeycutt said.

Throughout Sunday night family and friends, including House Speaker Clay Schexnayder who is a neighbor in the same subdivision south of Gonzales, stopped by.

Edwards’ wife, Trina, released a statement saying the last words of the four-term governor were to his 7-year-old son, Eli: “Eli told him every night, ‘I love you.’ And he told Eli, ‘I love you too.’ Those were his last words.”

His death naturally prompted a lot of reactions. Here are a few.

• B.I. Moody, long-time personal friend:

“Former Governor Edwin W. Edwards was the only governor to serve four terms as governor of the state. He did more to help more people than any governor in history. May he rest in peace and may the perpetual light shine upon him now and forever.”

• Stephen Stefanski, fellow attorney at Edwards, Stefanski & Zaunbrecher Law Firm and long-time friend:

“He knew how to govern, and he knew what government needs to do to help people. I’ll never get rid of the Edwards name because my memories of him and his brother Nolan, and all I learned from them and all that I did working with them, you perpetuate that.”

• Gov. John Bel Edwards:

“Gov. Edwards was a fervent supporter of civil rights and ensured that his administration was as diverse as Louisiana, a commitment I have also made as governor. Edwin was a larger than life figure known for his wit and charm, but he will be equally remembered for being a compassionate leader who cared for the plight of all Louisianans. Our state has lost a giant, and we will miss him dearly.”

• Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales:

“I first met Edwin Edwards before I was in politics and was working as a mechanic. The thing I admired most about him is whether I was working as a mechanic or serving as a Speaker of the House he treated me no different. He won over the people of Louisiana with a big personality and with compassion, holding the longest-running reign as governor to prove it.”

• State Rep. John Stefanski, R-Crolwey:

“When you talk about why is Edwin Edwards synonymous with Crowley, it is because this is where he built everything. When I travel the state, there’s two things I talk about being from Crowley, rice and Edwin Edwards. He’s going to be remembered in Crowley for a very long time, probably forever as long as Crowley’s around.

“He’s the only four-time governor ever. I don’t know if that will ever be duplicated again in Louisiana, so I mean why when you talk about why is Edwin Edwards synonymous with Crowley, it is because this is where he built everything. He built everything here. He started with humble roots here and built probably one of the most famous political careers in Louisiana’s history.”

• State Rep. Sam Jenkins, House Democratic leader:

“Louisiana mourns the loss of a political titan and great man. Governor Edwards’ charm and sense of humor were known around the world, but in Louisiana he was better known for his heart—a heart full of compassionate love for his state. Throughout his storied political career, the governor fought to improve the lives of Louisiana’s working people and was a strong supporter of civil rights.

“Famously, he showed that racists like David Duke have no place in Louisiana politics. In later years, Governor Edwards happily provided sage advice to new generations of Louisiana leaders—regardless of political party and ideology. He never stopped working to make Louisiana a better place, and he will be dearly missed.”

• Attorney General Jeff Landry:

“Governor Edwin Edwards gave hope to Louisianians during his time of public service; no governor since has generated that much optimism or loyalty.

• U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana:

“Becky and I are praying for former governor Edwin Edwards’s family during their time of deep loss. He lived a full life, and our hearts go out to his loved ones.”

• U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana:

“Edwin Edwards led a remarkable life that will surely not be repeated. Louisiana is praying for him and his family.”

• U.S. Rep. Clay HIggins, R-New Iberia:

“Governor Edwards was an icon of Louisiana politics. His life and service will be long remembered. Our prayers are with his family.”

• U.S. Rep. Garrett Graves, R-Baton Rouge:

“Since 2014, we have stayed in touch and gone to lunch several times. Without question, he was one of the most gifted men I’ve ever met ... We pray for Trina, Eli and all the family”

• U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson:

“His larger-than-life personality made him one of the most colorful governors in our state’s history.”

• Former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu:

“Edwin Edwards was a gifted and talented politician who advanced the cause of racial and social justice in Louisiana at pivotal moments in our history. His rise from very humble beginnings to the highest office in our state, attest to his skill, intelligence and charisma. We are grateful for his many positive contributions to our state.”

• David Duke, Edwards’ opponent in the 1991 governor’s runoff:

“I opposed a lot of his political views, and he opposed a lot of mine. But he always had an elegance and jovial sense. A few dozen times we talked outside of the spotlight, quietly, backstage. I think he actually respected me as a worthy opponent. He gave me the impression on a personal level that he respected me.

“Edwards once told me he was amazed by my vote in Acadiana, among his beloved constituency. He said he never thought he would lose the White vote there to another White candidate. He said he won those parishes because of the Black vote. That was a nice thing for him to say to me. That was not something he would acknowledge publicly.”

• Richard Zuschlag, chairman and CEO of Acadian Companies:

“I was saddened to learn of the passing of Gov. Edwin Edwards this morning. I was fortunate to visit with him within the past month to discuss Acadian’s 50th anniversary, and we reminisced about how his administrations supported our company and our employee-owners over the years. One of the lasting memories I will have of Governor Edwards is how adamant he was that the rural areas of Louisiana receive the same high level of emergency care we provided in the more populated areas.

“During our visit, his memory was as sharp as his legendary wit. He made a profound impact on Louisiana during his unprecedented four terms as governor. He deeply loved Louisiana and her people.”

• James Carville, political consultant:

“Far and way, Bill Clinton and Edwin Edwards were the best two politicians I’ve been around. What the two of them had — and I’ll give Reagan credit for this, too — you never saw them sweat. They were natural. I often thought — and I worked on a lot of campaigns — that I was more politically savvy than my candidates. I never thought that about Bill Clinton or Edwin Edwards, not for a minute.

“Edwards never used race as a wedge, as a divisive issue. That was unique for a politician who got a start in the 1960s.

“Edwards’ mind was like a calculator. He was just good on his feet. His problem was he was too smart and too clever. People like that generally make a mistake. He made one horrible mistake - he taunted the federal government.