Former Gov. Edwin Edwards announces House bid

Former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards (D) announced Monday he will enter the race to replace Rep. Bill Cassidy (R) in the state’s 6th Congressional District. 

Edwards, the 86-year-old who served an eight-year prison sentence after leaving office, told a crowd in the state he would reenter the political fray despite all the reasons against it. 

{mosads}”I acknowledge there are good reasons I should not run. But there are better reasons why I should,” he said, according The Times Picayune. 

Edwards served four terms as governor more than two decades ago. Before that he served eight years in the House of Representatives. 

He was released from prison in 2011 after being convicted of racketeering charges in 2001, years after he had already left office. 

Edwards, with his large personality and colorful quotes, briefly starred in a reality series last year with his wife and family.

He is seeking the seat because Cassidy is giving it up to run for Senate against Sen. Mary Landrieu (D). The district is heavily Republican. Seven Republicans are already vying for the seat, while Richard Dean Lieberman is the only Democrat in the race. 

The Louisiana Republican Party quickly blasted Edwards’s announcement and said it represented a failure of recruitment on the Democratic side. 

“After failing to recruit credible candidates for multiple election cycles, the Louisiana Democrat Party finally landed a notable candidate for public office. Unfortunately, Edwin Edwards is known for all the wrong reasons. His antics may be fit for a reality show, but not public office,” Jason Doré, the executive director of the state party said.