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John Bel Edwards
John Bel Edwards | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Edwards in 2021 | |
| 56th Governor of Louisiana | |
| In office January 11, 2016 – January 8, 2024 | |
| Lieutenant | Billy Nungesser |
| Preceded by | Bobby Jindal |
| Succeeded by | Jeff Landry |
| Minority Leader of the Louisiana House of Representatives | |
| In office January 10, 2012 – December 10, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Jane Smith |
| Succeeded by | Gene Reynolds |
| Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 72nd district | |
| In office January 14, 2008 – December 10, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Robby Carter |
| Succeeded by | Robby Carter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 16, 1966 East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Donna Hutto (m. 1989) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | United States Military Academy (BS) Louisiana State University (JD) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1988–1996 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 25th Infantry Division 82nd Airborne Division |
John Bel Edwards (born September 16, 1966) is an American politician, attorney, and Army veteran who served as the 56th governor of Louisiana from 2016 to 2024. A Southern Democrat, he previously served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2008 to 2015, representing parts of the Florida Parishes, and serving as minority leader from 2012 to 2015.
Edwards graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in engineering and served in the United States Army as an infantry officer for eight years. In 1996, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. After leaving the Army, Edwards attended and graduated from LSU Law. Following his tenure as a law clerk to Judge James L. Dennis, he returned home to Amite and began his career as a lawyer in private practice
First elected to the Louisiana House in 2007, Edwards became Democratic minority leader in 2012. He defeated Republican U.S. Senator David Vitter in the second round of the 2015 gubernatorial election, and became Louisiana governor in January 2016. During his first term, Edwards expanded protections for LGBTQ people in the workplace, enacted Medicaid expansion, signed legislation to reduce Louisiana's prison population, and implemented a six-week abortion ban. He won a second term in 2019, becoming the first Democrat to win reelection as governor of Louisiana since Edwin Edwards (no relation) in 1975.[1] In his second term, Edwards was governor during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as during Hurricane Ida and Hurricane Nicholas. He also signed legislation requiring public schools to display the national motto "In God We Trust" in classrooms. After leaving office in 2024, Edwards joined the New Orleans–based law firm Fishman Haygood LLP, where his practice focuses primarily on renewable energy litigation.[2][3]
Some political observers have described Edwards as a conservative Democrat.[4][5] Edwards has also been described as a moderate[6][7] and as a populist.[8] He is the most recent Democrat to win or hold statewide office in Louisiana.[9]
- ^ "John Bel Edwards earned a remarkable win for reelection; here's how he did it". November 17, 2019.
- ^ Cline, Sara (January 14, 2024). "Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards will join law firm after leaving office". Associated Press. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "Former Gov. John Bel Edwards appointed visiting fellow at Harvard". kadn.com. February 22, 2024.
- ^ Tenbarge, Ken (November 17, 2019). "John Bel Edwards was narrowly re-elected as governor of Louisiana. He's not a typical Democrat". Business Insider. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ O'Donoghue, Julie (December 14, 2023). "Gov. John Bel Edwards: 'I have never been less inclined to be a Republican than today'". Louisiana Illuminator. States Newsroom. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "Democrats hold on to Louisiana governor's seat despite Trump". cnbc.com. November 17, 2019.
- ^ Jacobson, Louis (November 30, 2017). "Meet the Moderates". governing.com.
- ^ Kromm, Chris (November 23, 2015). "Edwards rides populist message to Louisiana governor's mansion". facingsouth.org.
- ^ Ryan, Molly (December 22, 2023). "Louisiana Democrats ruled the state 3 decades ago. What caused the political shift?". WWNO. 89.3 WRKF Baton Rouge. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
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