Louisiana Governor, US Congressman. He was the first Republican to hold either office in his home state since Reconstruction. Raised in New Orleans, Treen graduated from Fortier High School, and earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Tulane University. After two years service as a US Air Force JAG officer, he worked as an attorney in private practice, while holding the vice presidency of Simplex Manufacturing. In 1960 he was an elector for the Louisiana States Rights Party, which opposed both Nixon and Kennedy, endorsing Virginia Senator Harry F. Byrd for President. Treen joined the Republican Party in 1962, at a time when the Old South was still solidly Democratic; thru the 1960s and early 1970s, he made three failed bids for Congress, and one for Governor. Winning election to Congress in 1972, he served four terms, then won the Louisiana Statehouse in 1979. His time as Governor saw the founding of a statewide high school for the gifted, and the re-establishment of capital punishment. However, it also saw Treen become unpopular with his own supporters for indecision, micromanagement, and the perception that he was less conservative than the national party. He was defeated by Edwin Edwards in 1983, and in 1987 saw his nomination to a Federal judgship blocked by a Democrat-controlled Senate committee. In retirement, Treen lived in Mandeville, Louisiana, and made a number of unsuccessful attempts to re-enter politics. He was even to endorse his old rival Edwin Edwards, and to attempt to have President Bush pardon him following a corruption conviction. The former Governor died of respiratory disease.
Louisiana Governor, US Congressman. He was the first Republican to hold either office in his home state since Reconstruction. Raised in New Orleans, Treen graduated from Fortier High School, and earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Tulane University. After two years service as a US Air Force JAG officer, he worked as an attorney in private practice, while holding the vice presidency of Simplex Manufacturing. In 1960 he was an elector for the Louisiana States Rights Party, which opposed both Nixon and Kennedy, endorsing Virginia Senator Harry F. Byrd for President. Treen joined the Republican Party in 1962, at a time when the Old South was still solidly Democratic; thru the 1960s and early 1970s, he made three failed bids for Congress, and one for Governor. Winning election to Congress in 1972, he served four terms, then won the Louisiana Statehouse in 1979. His time as Governor saw the founding of a statewide high school for the gifted, and the re-establishment of capital punishment. However, it also saw Treen become unpopular with his own supporters for indecision, micromanagement, and the perception that he was less conservative than the national party. He was defeated by Edwin Edwards in 1983, and in 1987 saw his nomination to a Federal judgship blocked by a Democrat-controlled Senate committee. In retirement, Treen lived in Mandeville, Louisiana, and made a number of unsuccessful attempts to re-enter politics. He was even to endorse his old rival Edwin Edwards, and to attempt to have President Bush pardon him following a corruption conviction. The former Governor died of respiratory disease.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
Gravesite Details
51st governor of the State of LA (1980-1984)
Family Members
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