Robert Louis Freeman Sr.

Robert Louis Freeman Sr. (April 27, 1934 – May 16, 2016) was an American politician who served as the 47th Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana from 1980 to 1988 under Governors Dave Treen and Edwin Edwards.

Robert Freeman Sr.
47th Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
In office
March 10, 1980 – March 14, 1988
GovernorDave Treen (1980-1984)
Edwin Edwards (1984-1988)
Preceded byJimmy Fitzmorris
Succeeded byPaul Hardy
Personal details
Born
Robert Louis Freeman Sr.

(1934-04-27)April 27, 1934
Plaquemine, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedMay 16, 2016(2016-05-16) (aged 82)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Marianne Drago Freeman (1958–2016)
Alma materLouisiana State University (BA)
Loyola University New Orleans (LL.B)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1956-1959

Early life and education

Freeman earned a bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and L.L.B. from Loyola University New Orleans in 1965. He served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1959.

Career

After earning his law degree, Freeman worked for a chemical company from 1960 to 1961. He later established his own law firm, Freeman and Pendley. Freeman served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1968 to 1980.[1]

In 1979, Freeman was elected lieutenant governor during the simultaneous gubernatorial election, inc which Democratic candidate Louis Lambert was narrowly defeated by Dave Treen. During Treen's governorship, the two feuded on multiple occasions with Freeman using his powers whenever Treen was out of state while Treen attacked the lieutenant governorship position as an unnecessary waste of public funds due to the position having no official duties.[2] In 1983, Treen vetoed a bill giving $381,000 in operating expenses to Freeman's office which forced him to fire 11 employees. He attempted to sue Treen in court, but was his veto was upheld in court.[3] In the 1983 election he was backed by Edwin Edwards who was running for governor at the same time and in the initial election came in first against former Lieutenant Governor Jimmy Fitzmorris and in the runoff defeated him by 20%.[4] In the 1987 lieutenant gubernatorial initial election Freeman came in first with 40% of the vote, but in the runoff election he was defeated by Secretary of State Paul Hardy.[5]

On May 16, 2016 Freeman died from a ruptured aneurysm in Baton Rouge and his death was confirmed by his former press secretary Lester Duhe.[6]

References
  1. "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Robert Louis "Bobby" Freeman". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  2. "Why Louisiana needs a Gov. - Lt. Gov. ticket". The Shreveport Journal. 19 March 1982. p. 2. Archived from the original on 25 November 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "What is Freeman doing?". The Shreveport Journal. 7 August 1984. p. 3. Archived from the original on 25 November 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "LA Lt. Governor - Runoff". Archived from the original on 2007-10-28. Retrieved 2019-11-24.
  5. "Hardy Ousts Freeman, Attorney General Re-elected With AM-Louisiana Governor, Bjt". 22 November 1987.
  6. "Former Louisiana Lt. Gov. Bobby Freeman dies at age 82". 17 May 2016. Archived from the original on 18 May 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
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