Buddy Roemer

Buddy Roemer (2011)

Charles Elson "Buddy" Roemer III (born October 4, 1943 in Bossier City , Louisiana ) is an American politician . He was governor of the state of Louisiana from 1988 to 1992 . He also represented his state in the US House of Representatives in Washington between 1981 and 1988 .

Early years and political advancement

After high school , Roemer studied politics and economics at Harvard University until 1964 and then finance at Harvard Business School until 1967 . He then founded two banks, a computer company and a political advisory agency in his hometown. Roemer became a member of the Democratic Party . In 1972 he was a member of a congress to revise the state constitution of Louisiana. Between January 3, 1981 and March 14, 1988 he represented his state as a member of Congress . There he stood out for the fact that he often supported the policies of Republican President Ronald Reagan .

Louisiana Governor

In 1987, Roemer was elected to succeed Edwin Edwards as the new governor of his state. He began his four-year term on March 14, 1988. During his tenure, teachers' salaries were increased, environmental protection was improved through new laws and campaign financing was reorganized. His proposals to change the tax system got stuck in the state legislature. In 1991 Roemer changed his party affiliation and became a member of the Republicans. This irritated both the Democrats and the Republicans. At that time he could not really gain a foothold in his new party. When there was a duel between his predecessor Edwards and David Duke , a former leader of the Ku Klux Klan , in the next gubernatorial election, in which he had no chance, Roemer supported Edwards.

In 1995, Roemer applied unsuccessfully to return to the office of governor. After that, he devoted himself to his private affairs, including investment business. In the 2008 presidential campaign he supported John McCain , the defeated Republican candidate. He is currently the chairman of a bank in Baton Rouge . Roemer was married twice and has three children in total.

Presidential candidacy

On March 3, 2011, Roemer announced his potential candidacy for the 2012 presidential election . He also promised to accept donations up to an amount of 100 US dollars per person.

Web links

• Buddy Roemer in the National Governors Association (English)
• Buddy Roemer in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)
• The governors of Louisiana (English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Press release ( Memento from May 12, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) on Roemer's election campaign homepage (English).