Even before he controlled the pursestrings of state government, Roemer was the force to be with in north Louisiana. Potential governors paid homage to the Scopena power broker; this year even touted mediaman David Garth of New York had to learn the hard way how things get done in Louisiana politics in general and Sonny Mouton's gubernatorial campaign in particular. Roemer's indictment, the labyrinthian computer dealings and his symbiotic public relationship with the governor

rather than explaining the man, have made him more of an enigma. All agree he is indeed one of Louisiana's most powerful men—the split comes on whether, as some contend, Roemer's been there for Roemer or whether, as close associates argue, he's actually been the best commissioner of administration the state's seen. If nothing else, he's been one of the few commissioners of administration in recent years who've managed to stay out of jail.

Judge

Edmund Reggie

Here's a man, by most accounts, who remains one of Louisiana's still untapped natural resources. The mastermind of Edwards' reorganization, Reggie probably knows more about what makes state government tick than the man who hired him, and his encyclopedic knowledge will consequently be invaluable to whoever is elected governor. When John Kennedy was President, Reggie probably exercised greater power than that of our two U.S. Senators combined. That continuing closeness with the Kennedy clan—and the inevitable flirtation of Ted with the country's No. 1 office—again puts the Crowley attorney in the position of being one of the most potentially powerful men in Louisiana.

Gris Gris, September 10-16, 1979