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In the legislature, Schwegmann declared his independence of the leadership. Because of his crusades and feuds, many of his bills were not voted upon or rejected outright. In a 1962 speech, he said, "How can you win with a stacked house? I came out fighting, and at least I was loyal to the people."​

In the legislature, Schwegmann declared his independence of the leadership. Because of his crusades and feuds, many of his bills were not voted upon or rejected outright. In a 1962 speech, he said, "How can you win with a stacked house? I came out fighting, and at least I was loyal to the people."​

 

Schwegmann became a persistent critic of the administrations of his fellow Democrats, Governors [[Jimmie Davis]] and [[John J. McKeithen]], and he acquired a wide variety of enemies. Former New Orleans [[Mayor]] [[Maurice Edward Landrieu|Moon Landrieu]], a Democrat and the father of the later [[U.S. Senator]] [[Mary Landrieu]], once declared that Schwegmann was "so poorly informed on the governmental process, you have to excuse him on the basis of ignorance." On several occasions thereafter, the Landrieus and Schwegmanns would find themselves fighting each other politically.​

Schwegmann became a persistent critic of the administrations of his fellow Democrats, Governors [[Jimmie Davis]] and [[John J. McKeithen]], and he acquired a wide variety of enemies. Former New Orleans [[Mayor]] [[Maurice Edwin Landrieu|Moon Landrieu]], a Democrat and the father of the later [[U.S. Senator]] [[Mary Landrieu]], once declared that Schwegmann was "so poorly informed on the governmental process, you have to excuse him on the basis of ignorance." On several occasions thereafter, the Landrieus and Schwegmanns would find themselves fighting each other politically.​

 

In the legislature, Schwegmann voted against such measures as pay raises for public officials and tax increases. He also opposed building with state bonds the Louisiana Superdome in downtown New Orleans, since the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. He filed three lawsuits in an attempt to block construction. The original estimate of the cost of the stadium was $35 million, but years before it was finished, Schwegmann predicted that it would cost between $150 million and $200 million. The final cost was $179 million.​

In the legislature, Schwegmann voted against such measures as pay raises for public officials and tax increases. He also opposed building with state bonds the Louisiana Superdome in downtown New Orleans, since the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. He filed three lawsuits in an attempt to block construction. The original estimate of the cost of the stadium was $35 million, but years before it was finished, Schwegmann predicted that it would cost between $150 million and $200 million. The final cost was $179 million.​

 

The Superdome was one of McKeithen's pet projects, and the governor tried to use his legendary charm to win Schwegmann over to his side. During one exchange, McKeithen said, "Now, John's going to be reasonable about this. After all, we can help him. John, what can we do for you?"​

The Superdome was one of McKeithen's pet projects, and the governor tried to use his legendary charm to win Schwegmann over to his side. During one exchange, McKeithen said, "Now, John's going to be reasonable about this. After all, we can help him. John, what can we do for you?"​

 

"Governor, you can't do nothin' for me", Schwegmann replied.​

"Governor, you can't do nothin' for me", Schwegmann replied.​

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==An unconventional gubernatorial campaign==​

==An unconventional gubernatorial campaign==​

Schwegmann was an outspoken [[conservative]], particularly on matters of economics and government reform. He used his grocery store advertisements to espouse his political views. He often used pithy expressions, witty statements, or philosophical insight in an attempt to convince his customers to adopt his political views. He spoke out on a plethora of issues, including price-fixing, the [[Pentagon Papers]], [[taxation]], and the Louisiana Superdome. He set forth his opinions in mini-editorials that were part of the advertising for the grocery chain. He printed the names of candidates that he supported on company shopping bags.​

Schwegmann was an outspoken [[conservative]], particularly on matters of economics and government reform. He used his grocery store advertisements to espouse his political views. He often used pithy expressions, witty statements, or philosophical insight in an attempt to convince his customers to adopt his political views. He spoke out on a plethora of issues, including price-fixing, the [[Pentagon Papers]], [[taxation]], and the Louisiana Superdome. He set forth his opinions in mini-editorials that were part of the advertising for the grocery chain. He printed the names of candidates that he supported on company shopping bags.​

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==Two other political Schwegmanns==​

==Two other political Schwegmanns==​

Two members of his family have demonstrated the same interest in government service: Melinda B. Schwegmann] his daughter-in-law, was the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor (1992-1996) in the last Edwards gubernatorial term, and John F. Schwegmann was his father's successor on the state Public Service Commission, having served from 1981 to 1996.​

Two members of his family have demonstrated the same interest in government service: Melinda B. Schwegmann, a Democrat, later [[Moderate Republican]], his daughter-in-law, was the first woman in Louisiana to serve as lieutenant governor (1992-1996) in the last Edwards gubernatorial term, and John F. Schwegmann was his father's successor on the state Public Service Commission, having served from 1981 to 1996.​

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==Schwegmann in retrospect==​

==Schwegmann in retrospect==​