48th Governor of Louisiana. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the position from May 1952 until May 1956. After graduating from high school in 1919, he attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and received his bachelor's degree in 1923, followed by a law degree in 1925. That same year, he entered politics and was elector mayor of Minden, Louisiana, serving until 1928 and two years later he became district attorney for Bossier Parish, serving until 1940. After serving in World War II, he became Associate Judge of the Louisiana Supreme Court from 1945 until 1946 and Judge of the Louisiana Second Court of Appeal, serving from 1945 until 1952, when he became the Democratic nominee for governor and was elected, succeeding Earl Long. Among his accomplishments during his tenure, was the reestablished the state civil service in Louisiana and ensured that every precinct had a voting machine while working to suppress illegal slot machines and gambling in the state. From 1954 until 1955 he served as the Chair of the National Governors Association. In 1956 he was not nominated for a second term as governor and was succeeded by Earl Long. He died at the age of 85.
48th Governor of Louisiana. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the position from May 1952 until May 1956. After graduating from high school in 1919, he attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and received his bachelor's degree in 1923, followed by a law degree in 1925. That same year, he entered politics and was elector mayor of Minden, Louisiana, serving until 1928 and two years later he became district attorney for Bossier Parish, serving until 1940. After serving in World War II, he became Associate Judge of the Louisiana Supreme Court from 1945 until 1946 and Judge of the Louisiana Second Court of Appeal, serving from 1945 until 1952, when he became the Democratic nominee for governor and was elected, succeeding Earl Long. Among his accomplishments during his tenure, was the reestablished the state civil service in Louisiana and ensured that every precinct had a voting machine while working to suppress illegal slot machines and gambling in the state. From 1954 until 1955 he served as the Chair of the National Governors Association. In 1956 he was not nominated for a second term as governor and was succeeded by Earl Long. He died at the age of 85.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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