Elaine S. Edwards

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Elaine S. Edwards
United States Senator from Louisiana
In office August 1, 1972 – November 13, 1972
Preceded by	Allen J. Ellender (D)
Succeeded by	J. Bennett Johnston, Jr., (D)
Born	March 8, 1929 (1929-03-08) (age 79) Marksville, Louisiana
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Edwin Edwards (1949-1989) (divorced)

Elaine Schwartzenburg Edwards (born March 8, 1929) was a member of the United States Senate and the first wife of Edwin Washington Edwards, making her a former First Lady of Louisiana.

Edwards was born in Marksville, Louisiana, in Avoyelles Parish, and she married Edwin in 1949.

On August 1, 1972, Edwin Edwards appointed Elaine to the US Senate after the death of Allen Ellender. Edwin's reasons for appointing his wife included her willingness to resign after a new senator was elected and her agreement with Edwin's political philosophy. However, during the 1976 presidential election campaign, Elaine endorsed Gerald Ford over Jimmy Carter, while her husband spoke on behalf of the Carter-Mondale ticket.

Edwin and Elaine Edwards divorced in 1989 after 40 years of marriage. Ms. Edwards is the mother of four children.

v • d • e United States Senators from Louisiana Class 2: Destréhan • Posey • Brown • Claiborne • Johnson • Bouligny • Livingston • Waggaman • Nicholas • Barrow • Soulé • Downs • Benjamin • Harris • West • Kellogg • Gibson • Caffery • Foster • Ransdell • H. Long • R.M. Long • Ellender • Edwards • J.B. Johnston • Landrieu Class 3: Magruder • Fromentin • Brown • J.S. Johnston • Porter • Mouton • Conrad • Johnson • Soulé • Slidell • Kellogg • Eustis • Jonas • Eustis • White • Blanchard • McEnery • Thornton • R. Broussard • Guion • Gay • E. Broussard • Overton • Feazel • R.B. Long • Breaux • Vitter

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