Louisiana gov: Trump helped ‘shine a spotlight’ on flood recovery

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) said Sunday that Donald Trump has helped draw attention to recovery efforts after the recent devastating floods in his state.

In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” the governor downplayed critical remarks he made before the Republican presidential nominee visited his state.

{mosads}”I didn’t dismiss his trip as a photo-op. Before he came down, I said we welcome him here, we want him to be helpful,” Edwards said. “And we hope that it doesn’t turn into a mere photo-op.”

Edwards said Trump’s visit to the state was positive for Louisiana.

“Because it helped to shine a spotlight on Louisiana and on the dire situation that we have here, that it was helpful,” he said.

“I also appreciated the good phone call, the conversation that I had with Gov. [Mike] Pence [R-Ind.], who was sincere and genuine when he called, and we spoke for a long time on Friday morning about their desire to be helpful,” he said about Trump’s running mate.

Edwards had previously said the state welcomed the GOP nominee, as long as he didn’t use the visit for his own political gain.

“We welcome him to Louisiana, but not for a photo-op. Instead we hope he’ll consider volunteering or making a sizable donation to the LA Flood Relief Fund to help the victims of the storm,” the governor said ahead of Trump’s visit.

Former Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) on Friday thanked Trump for visiting Louisiana following the floods.

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton wrote on Facebook that she spoke with the Louisiana governor, and that the “flooding there is bigger than anyone expected.” She said that while her “heart breaks for Louisiana,” the relief effort “can’t afford any distractions.”

President Obama will visit Baton Rouge on Tuesday.