The Nation - News from Oct. 26, 1987

Rep. Buddy Roemer said his victory in the Louisiana gubernatorial primary and the withdrawal of second-place finisher Gov. Edwin W. Edwards from a runoff were “absolutely unbelievable. I’m still not over it.” Roemer was in last place three weeks ago. During his three terms, Edwards was investigated by 14 grand juries, survived two corruption trials and found his state leading the nation in dropout rates and joblessness. “There isn’t a person in this state more honorable or honest than I,” Edwards said. But he said many people had concluded “that they simply couldn’t trust me. . . .” The third- and fourth-place finishers, U.S. Reps. Bob Livingston, the only Republican running, and W. J. (Billy) Tauzin, had conceded and endorsed Roemer. Roemer had 522,344 votes, or 33%, and Edwards had 452,513, or 28%.