Godspeed, Dave Treen.

Former Louisiana governor Dave Treen died today in Metairie.

Treen was one of the first Republicans I ever campaigned for (I was 12), and a major reason I am interested in politics today. He was - like my parents - a Republican back when Louisiana was a one-party Democrat state, and he scared the hell out of establishment Democrats in 1971 with a stunning run against Edwin Edwards. Edwards won, but Treen's run put the GOP on the map in Louisiana as a contender, and led Edwards to create Louisiana's unique "open primary" law to keep the GOP out of office. It didn't work. The GOP grew with Teeen's efforts, and Treen did become governor in 1979.

Dave Treen was a man of honor and principle (which is the reason he only lasted one term), a true reformer, and the reason we have a two-party state today. He will be missed; but never forgotten.