Charles Elson "Buddy" Roemer III, born October 4, 1943 is an American politician who was a candidate for the presidential nominations of the Republican Party and the Reform Party, respectively, in 2012. He withdrew. He was seeking the 2012 Americans Elect presidential nomination until that group announced it would not field a candidate in 2012 because no candidate reached the required minimum threshold of support to be on its ballot. He also served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1981 to 1988 before serving as the 76th Governor of Louisiana (52nd since U.S. Statehood), from 1988 to 1992.
In March 1991, while serving as Governor, Roemer switched from the Democratic to the Republican Party.
The Sterling Group, Inc (1992–1997)
After the 1991 election cycle concluded, Roemer teamed up with a long time friend, Joe Traigle, to form The Sterling Group, Inc. The two met in the late 1960s in Shreveport, Louisiana when they were both active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees).
The Sterling Group specialized in international trade of plastic raw materials between the US and Mexico. Roemer served as the Chairman of the board and Traigle served as President. Roemer was a strong supporter of improving Louisiana and US trade with Mexico. Traigle bought Roemer out of the company in 1997.
1995 gubernatorial election
In 1995, Roemer attempted a comeback, running again for governor. Having been squeezed out in 1991 between Edwards and Duke, Roemer chose to run on a much more conservative platform in 1995, emphasizing an anti-crime and anti-welfare stance. For example, he called for prisoner chain gangs to clean up litter on state highways. Roemer held a wide lead for much of the campaign, but faded in the days before the primary election as conservative state senator Mike Foster, who switched affiliation from Democratic to Republican during the campaign, peeled conservative votes away from him. Roemer finished fourth with 18 percent of the vote, two percentage points from making the runoff.
2004 U.S. Senate election
In the summer of 2004, Roemer briefly considered entering the race to succeed retiring U.S. Senator John Breaux. Roemer passed on the race, and Republican Representative David Vitter of suburban New Orleans was elected to replace Breaux.
Later business career
Having failed at his political comeback, Roemer has in recent years been an investor and banker. He formed one company that built retirement housing for retirees near universities, with alumni from each university being the target buyers. He also founded Business First Bank, based in Baton Rouge.
In June 2005, Roemer underwent triple bypass heart surgery at the Baton Rouge General Medical Center. In 2008, Roemer supported and campaigned for U.S. Senator John McCain of Arizona for President of the United States.
Roemer is currently President and CEO of Business First Bank in Baton Rouge.
In 2000, Roemer was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.
Ron Gomez (a Lafayette politicist) said that he believes Roemer "could have been one of Louisiana's great governors. The state's horrible financial condition when he took office, his dependence on an inexperienced and sometimes rashly immature staff in his first year or so, an overly-ambitious legislative agenda and his own unpredictable dealings with individual legislators all contributed to the failures he suffered. Ultimately, all of these factors led to his running third, as the incumbent, in the 1991 gubernatorial election. Gomez describes Roemer as "a dynamic orator who could light up an audience with his first two sentences. When he got wound up it was truly evangelical, and he made sense. His wiry, five foot seven, one-hundred thirty-five pound frame would seem to uncoil and grow as he outlined his vision as a fighter against crime, corruption and waste in government, poor education, taxes and industrial pollution.
In March 1991, while serving as Governor, Roemer switched from the Democratic to the Republican Party.
The Sterling Group, Inc (1992–1997)
After the 1991 election cycle concluded, Roemer teamed up with a long time friend, Joe Traigle, to form The Sterling Group, Inc. The two met in the late 1960s in Shreveport, Louisiana when they were both active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees).
The Sterling Group specialized in international trade of plastic raw materials between the US and Mexico. Roemer served as the Chairman of the board and Traigle served as President. Roemer was a strong supporter of improving Louisiana and US trade with Mexico. Traigle bought Roemer out of the company in 1997.
1995 gubernatorial election
In 1995, Roemer attempted a comeback, running again for governor. Having been squeezed out in 1991 between Edwards and Duke, Roemer chose to run on a much more conservative platform in 1995, emphasizing an anti-crime and anti-welfare stance. For example, he called for prisoner chain gangs to clean up litter on state highways. Roemer held a wide lead for much of the campaign, but faded in the days before the primary election as conservative state senator Mike Foster, who switched affiliation from Democratic to Republican during the campaign, peeled conservative votes away from him. Roemer finished fourth with 18 percent of the vote, two percentage points from making the runoff.
2004 U.S. Senate election
In the summer of 2004, Roemer briefly considered entering the race to succeed retiring U.S. Senator John Breaux. Roemer passed on the race, and Republican Representative David Vitter of suburban New Orleans was elected to replace Breaux.
Later business career
Having failed at his political comeback, Roemer has in recent years been an investor and banker. He formed one company that built retirement housing for retirees near universities, with alumni from each university being the target buyers. He also founded Business First Bank, based in Baton Rouge.
In June 2005, Roemer underwent triple bypass heart surgery at the Baton Rouge General Medical Center. In 2008, Roemer supported and campaigned for U.S. Senator John McCain of Arizona for President of the United States.
Roemer is currently President and CEO of Business First Bank in Baton Rouge.
In 2000, Roemer was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.
Ron Gomez (a Lafayette politicist) said that he believes Roemer "could have been one of Louisiana's great governors. The state's horrible financial condition when he took office, his dependence on an inexperienced and sometimes rashly immature staff in his first year or so, an overly-ambitious legislative agenda and his own unpredictable dealings with individual legislators all contributed to the failures he suffered. Ultimately, all of these factors led to his running third, as the incumbent, in the 1991 gubernatorial election. Gomez describes Roemer as "a dynamic orator who could light up an audience with his first two sentences. When he got wound up it was truly evangelical, and he made sense. His wiry, five foot seven, one-hundred thirty-five pound frame would seem to uncoil and grow as he outlined his vision as a fighter against crime, corruption and waste in government, poor education, taxes and industrial pollution.
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