Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer, who switched from Democrat to GOP, passed away at the age of 77

Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer passed away on Monday at the age of 77 due to complications from diabetes.

Roemer changed political parties and became a Republican in 1991 while he was serving as governor, but he ultimately placed third in the gubernatorial primary that year, according to The Advocate. 

Prior to his service as governor, Roemer served as a U.S. congressman. 

“From the fields of Scopena to the halls of Congress and then the Governor’s Mansion, Buddy Roemer proudly represented the state he so dearly loved. His astute intellect led him to enter Harvard at the young age of 16, but he still returned to Louisiana, driven by a desire to serve. I am especially grateful for the balanced, pragmatic approach he took as governor during a turbulent time for our state's budget," current Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, said in a statement.