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'''Charles Elson Roemer, III''', known as '''Buddy Roemer''' (born 1943), is a [[Democrat]]-turned-[[Republican]]-turned [[Independent]] who served a single term from 1988 to 1992 as governor of the U.S. state of [[Louisiana]]. Prior to his governorship, Roemer was from 1981 to 1988 a Democratic member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] from Louisiana's Fourth Congressional District, a seat now held by the Republican [[John Fleming]] of [[Minden, Louisiana

'''Charles Elson Roemer, III''', known as '''Buddy Roemer''' (born 1943), is a [[Democrat]]-turned-[[Republican]]-turned [[Independent]] who served a single term from 1988 to 1992 as governor of the U.S. state of [[Louisiana]]. Prior to his governorship, Roemer was from 1981 to 1988 a Democratic member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] from Louisiana's Fourth Congressional District, a seat now held by the Republican [[John Fleming]] of [[Minden, Louisiana|

Minden]] in Webster Parish.

Minden]] in Webster Parish.

Roemer is the son of the late [[Charles E. Roemer, II]], an agri-businessman prominent in Democratic politics, and the former Adeline McDade. Reared in Bossier Parish, he graduated from [[Harvard University]].

Roemer is the son of the late [[Charles E. Roemer, II]], an agri-businessman prominent in Democratic politics, and the former Adeline McDade. Reared in Bossier Parish, he graduated from [[Harvard University]].

Roemer lost a 1978 election for Congress when [[Joe Waggonner]] retired, but he rebounded in 1980 to claim the seat held by Democratic Claude "Buddy" Leach, then of Leesville in Vernon Parish. In 1987, he wrestled the governorship from [[Edwin Edwards]], for whom Roemer's father had been commissioner of administration from 1972 to 1980. Edwards trailed Roemer in the nonpartisan blanket primary that year and then withdrew from a second round of balloting. In effect he left Roemer unopposed for the governorship. The Republican candidate that year, [[Bob Livingston]], fared a weak third.

Roemer lost a 1978 election for Congress when the Democrat [[Joe Waggonner]] retired, but he rebounded in 1980 to claim the seat held by Democrat Claude "Buddy" Leach, then of Leesville in Vernon Parish. In 1987, he wrestled the governorship from [[Edwin Edwards]], for whom Roemer's father had been commissioner of administration from 1972 to 1980. Edwards trailed Roemer in the nonpartisan blanket primary that year and then withdrew from a second round of balloting. In effect he left Roemer unopposed for the governorship. The Republican candidate that year, [[Bob Livingston]], fared a weak third.

Roemer's term as governor was controversial as he wrestled with long-term state financial problems. He also angered prolife advocates when he vetoed a bill to restrict [[abortion]]. In March 1991, he switched to the Republican Party but lost reelection later in the year to his former rival Edwin Edwards. Roemer failed to make the runoff election, as Edwards handily defeated the nominal Republican choice, outgoing State Representaative [[David Duke]], who ran without the backing of influential GOP leaders, including former Governor [[David C. Treen]].

Roemer's term as governor was controversial as he wrestled with long-term state financial problems. He also angered prolife advocates when he vetoed a bill to restrict [[abortion]]. In March 1991, he switched to the Republican Party but lost reelection later in the year to his former rival Edwin Edwards. Roemer failed to make the runoff election, as Edwards handily defeated the nominal Republican choice, outgoing State Representaative [[David Duke]], who ran without the backing of influential GOP leaders, including former Governor [[David C. Treen]].