Changes

|term_start2=January 3, 1981

|term_start2=January 3, 1981

|term_end2=March 14, 1988

|term_end2=March 14, 1988

|predecessor2=Anthony Claude "Buddy" Leach, Jr.

|predecessor2=[[Buddy Leach}Anthony Claude "Buddy" Leach, Jr.]]

|successor2=James Otis "Jim" McCrery, III

|successor2=James Otis "Jim" McCrery, III

|birth_date=October 4, 1943

|birth_date=October 4, 1943

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 Bossier High School in [[Bossier City]] and [[Harvard University]] in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge]], [[Massachusetts]].

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 Bossier High School in [[Bossier City]] and [[Harvard University]] in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge]], [[Massachusetts]].

Roemer lost a 1978 election for Congress when the Democrat [[Joe Waggonner]] retired, but he rebounded in 1980 to claim the seat held by the one-term Democrat Anthony Claude "Buddy" Leach, Jr., a wealthy businessman from Leesville in Vernon Parish and later from [[Lake Charles]]. 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 the one-term Democrat [[Buddy Leach|Anthony Claude "Buddy" Leach, Jr.]], a wealthy businessman from Leesville in Vernon Parish and later from [[Lake Charles]]. 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 pro-life 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 Representative [[David Duke]] of Jefferson Parish in [[suburb]]an [[New Orleans]], who ran without the backing of influential GOP leaders, including former Governor [[David C. Treen]] and [[U.S. President]] [[George Herbert Walker Bush]].

Roemer's term as governor was controversial as he wrestled with long-term state financial problems. He also angered pro-life 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 Representative [[David Duke]] of Jefferson Parish in [[suburb]]an [[New Orleans]], who ran without the backing of influential GOP leaders, including former Governor [[David C. Treen]] and [[U.S. President]] [[George Herbert Walker Bush]].