Edwin Edwards Will Run for Congress

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards says he will enter the race for Louisiana's 6th Congressional District, ending months of speculation about the political future of the 86-year-old Edwards.

The congressional seat is being vacated by Republican Bill Cassidy, who is running for Senate against incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu.

A federal felony conviction keeps Edwards from running for state offices, but not from a congressional seat.

Edwards, a Democrat, served two terms as governor in the 1970s. He was re-elected in 1983 and made another comeback for a fourth term in 1991.

A felony conviction arising from the licensing of riverboat casinos in his fourth term led to eight years in prison.

Edwards' announcement Monday came during a Press Club luncheon at a Baton Rouge casino.