Former two-term Louisiana Governor Mike Foster passed away Sunday at the age of 90 at his home in Franklin. Foster started in politics when he was elected as a state senator for St. Mary Parish in 1987 at the age of 57. Eight years later he was elected governor and political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says education was Foster’s main focus.
“Went back to funding LSU properly, all of the universities, he passed education reform for K-through-12, created the Louisiana Community and Technical College System,” said Pinsonat.
Foster also rose teacher pay. According to his former press secretary, Marsanne Golsby, during Foster’s eight years in office, the average teacher received $11,500 in raises, a 43% increase.
Pinsonat says Foster was one of the state’s more popular governors. He says when his second term concluded in 2004 that popularity spread across Republicans and Democrats.
“About 50% of African-Americans in Louisiana thought he did a great job, because he was funding education and health care and universities,” said Pinsonat.
Foster was one of 16 individuals who ran for governor in 1995. The ballot also included former Governor Buddy Roemer, future U-S Senator Mary Landrieu, and at that time Congressman Cleo Fields. But Pinsonat says Foster ran a fantastic campaign.
“He was a welder, he was a farmer, and he was a small business guy and he was a no-nonsense, bring reform to state government campaign, it really caught the public’s imagination,” said Pinsonat.
Foster died from age-related illnesses. Funeral details have not been announced.
Comments