Changes

==Career==

==Career==

Willis was elected to the Louisiana state Senate in 1948 but served only a few months because he later in the same year won election to Congress to succeed James R. Domengeaux, who left the House to run unsuccessfully for the [[United States Senate]] against fellow Democrat [[Russell Long]].

Willis was elected to the Louisiana state Senate in 1948 but served only a few months because he later in the same year won election to Congress to succeed James R. Domengeaux (1907-1988), who left the House to run unsuccessfully for the [[United States Senate]] against fellow Democrat [[Russell Long]].

In November 1948, Willis faced [[Republican Party|Republican]] opposition from a wealthy New Iberia businessman. Jean (pronounced JOHN) Paulin Duhe (1885-1961), who was the president of the New Iberia National Bank, head of the Duhe-Bourgeois Sugar Company, president of the Edmundson-Duhe [[rice]] mill, third vice-president of the American Sugar Cane League, and the president of the St. Martin-Iberia-St. Mary Flood Control Association. Willis defeated Duhe, 26,587 votes (66.6 percent) to 13,337 ballots (33.4 percent). Duhe's margin was similar to that of a previous Republican candidate in the 3rd district, [[David W. Pipes, Jr.]], who contested the position in 1940, when he was defeated by James Domengeaux.

In November 1948, Willis faced [[Republican Party|Republican]] opposition from a wealthy New Iberia businessman. Jean (pronounced JOHN) Paulin Duhe (1885-1961), who was the president of the New Iberia National Bank, head of the Duhe-Bourgeois Sugar Company, president of the Edmundson-Duhe [[rice]] mill, third vice-president of the American Sugar Cane League, and the president of the St. Martin-Iberia-St. Mary Flood Control Association. Willis defeated Duhe, 26,587 votes (66.6 percent) to 13,337 ballots (33.4 percent). Duhe's margin was similar to that of a previous Republican candidate in the 3rd district, [[David W. Pipes, Jr.]], who contested the position in 1940, when he was defeated by James Domengeaux.

Willis supported [[U.S. President]] [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] and [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Hubert Humphrey]] in the 1964 and 1968, but his state

Willis supported [[U.S. President]] [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] and [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Hubert Humphrey]] in the 1964 and 1968, but his state

s [[electoral vote]]s were cast for [[Barry Goldwater]] and [[George Wallace]], respectively. Willis compiled a generally [[liberal]] voting record in Congress according to Louisiana standards at the time. In 1968, he was denied re-nomination by a more conservative Democrat, Patrick Thomson "Pat" Caffery, Sr. (1932-2013). Willis' health problems may have contributed to his defeat. Caffery won the [[general election]] and held the seat until January 1973, when he was succeeded by Republican leader [[David C. Treen]] of [[suburb]]an Jefferson Parish. Caffery did not seek a third term in 1972.

s [[electoral vote]]s were cast for [[Barry Goldwater]] and [[George Wallace]], respectively. Willis compiled a generally [[liberal]] voting record in Congress according to Louisiana standards at the time. In 1968, he was denied re-nomination by a more conservative Democrat, Patrick Thomson "Pat" Caffery, Sr. (1932-2013). Willis' health problems may have contributed to his defeat. Caffery won the [[general election]] and held the seat until January 1973, when he was succeeded by Republican leader [[David C. Treen]] of [[suburb]]an Jefferson Parish. Caffery did not seek a third term in the House in 1972.

Edwin Willis died in St. Martinville and is interred there with his wife in St. Michael's Cemetery, which is owned by the St. Martin de Tours [[Catholic Church]].

Edwin Willis died in St. Martinville and is interred there with his wife in St. Michael's Cemetery, which is owned by the St. Martin de Tours [[Catholic Church]].

(Coincidence of names: Edwin Edward Willis died the same year that a Louisiana legend became governor: [[Edwin Edwards]]. They were unrelated, but each had supported the other politically over the years.)

(Coincidence of names: Edwin Edward Willis died the same year that a Louisiana legend became governor: [[Edwin Edwards]]. They were unrelated, but each had supported the other politically over the years.)