During the Presidential election of 2016, he openly supported Hillary Clinton. https://www.geni.com/people/John-Bel-Edwards-Governor/6000000043989498952 After graduating from the United States Military Academy, he went on to serve his country for eight years as an airborne ranger in the U.S. Army. Source: 2016 Senate campaign website, JohnBelForLouisiana.com , Aug 11, 2015 After graduating from law school, Edwards was a practicing attorney with the Edwards & Associates Law Firm in Amite. As of 2021, he is the only statewide elected Democratic official in Louisiana. John Bel Edwards announced Monday that he will be traveling to Washington, D.C., to attend the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris this week. Because of his spectacular achievements he was made chairman of the Democratic House Caucus, which wasn’t a common phenomenon for an amateur in politics. Louisiana Gov. Gov. She studied at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg and graduated with a business degree in Industrial Management, before training as a teacher. #lalege #lagovpic.twitter.com/SxadrmuUTC", "Gov. While in school, he played as a pitcher in the baseball team and played football as well. Edwards was a delegate for Obama at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. He grew up hunting and fishing in Amite, a rural town in Tangipahoa Parish. [11] The only major Democrat in the race, Edwards polled first in the nonpartisan blanket primary with 444,517 votes (39.9 percent), followed by Vitter, who finished second with 256,300 votes (23 percent). "[20], In 2016, Edwards enacted Medicaid expansion. Edwards served in the Army for eight years, mostly in the 25th Infantry Division and 82nd Airborne Division, including commanding a company in the 82nd's 3rd Brigade, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. @FirstLadyOfLA has been by my side since we began dating in 1981, and our love grows stronger every day. [19], The governor also rescinded another executive order issued in 2015 by his predecessor, Bobby Jindal, which protected businesses and nonprofit organizations who oppose same-sex marriage from being legally punished for holding those views. On February 21, 2013, Edwards announced that he would run for governor in 2015. It wasn’t a surprise that he won the election owing to his reputation and background. Edwards met with Pope Francis during the trip. Edwards is a firm Believer of the Roman Catholic and is also a parishioner … John Bel skillfully used the scandalous episode of Vitter’s involvement in a prostitution ring against him. I give thanks daily for the life that we are blessed to share. Ourso College of Business, Edwards' expansion of Medicaid made over 500,000 more adults eligible for Medicaid, of whom 327,000 were uninsured. About John Bel Edwards. Since Huey Long, governors had traditionally handpicked the state house speakers. John is the son of Dora Jean (Miller) and Frank Millard Edwards, who was a Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff. John served in the Senate for eight long years and then turned to governorship. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/John_Bel_Edwards.jpg, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/2015-03-08_Chef_Evening_Donna_Hutto_Edwards_%26_John_Bel_Edwards_1_cr_en.jpg. John Bel Edwards was born on September 16, 1966, in Amite, Louisiana, United States. Edwards was elected as Louisiana's governor in 2015 with 56.1% of the vote. For the first time in 10 years, the House passed a budget that included pay raises for teachers and support staff.[34][35]. His brothers have established ranks in Louisiana. Other Democrats: take note. I believe in giving every Louisianan the opportunity to be successful and to thrive in our state," Edwards said. In his family, often a child’s middle name is taken from the surname of a family member other than his father. The news came as a shock to many Republicans in America, as the turnout in this southern state hadn’t been as speculated. But it is also my sincere belief that being pro-life means more than just being pro-birth." Edwards is not related to former Democratic Gov. Happy anniversary, Donna, I love you! His sister is married to Juvenile Judge and Republican, Blair Downing. Thus, even his son is named John Miller Edwards - “Miller” being the maiden surname of John Bel’s mother. Edwards graduated from Amite High School in … Edwards is the son of Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Frank M. Edwards Jr(father) and Dora Jean(mother). [12], On November 5, 2015, Jay Dardenne of Baton Rouge, the outgoing Republican lieutenant governor, who placed fourth in the gubernatorial primary election with 166,656 (15 percent),[12] endorsed Democrat Edwards in the forthcoming race against Vitter. At campaigns his life-story became an inspiration for many, and voters were impressed with the disciplined life John lived. In 2011, one of Edwards' brothers, Christopher Edwards, died in a car crash after his vehicle veered into oncoming traffic and collided with a UPS truck. — JBE #lagov", https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/elections/article_826f3a20-098c-11ea-9023-df69630e40d5.html, "After Sound Off Louisiana poses simple question of Gov. [26] In 2018, Edwards signed legislation that shortened the sentences for nonviolent, non-sex-crime offenders who showed good behavior while in prison. He is known to speak to the point and finds it difficult to entertain punch lines in his speeches. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the Democratic leader of the Louisiana House of Representatives for two terms. Bel Edwards is the son of Dora Jean, a charity nurse, and former Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Frank M. Edwards Jr. His brother Frank M. Edwards III is the police chief for the town of Independence, La. [26] Since the end of 2016 and to July 2018, Edwards did not sign a single commutation despite at least 70 cases that the state's Board of Pardons identified for him during the period. John Bel Edwards was born, his grandfather, Frank Millard Edwards, Sr., voted in the Louisiana State Senate to enact several state laws that defied the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v.Board of Education school desegregation ruling. According to an … BATON ROUGE - Just one day after Governor John Bel Edwards announced the state's plans to expand the pool of those eligible to receive a COVID … [23], In January 2017, Edwards traveled to Italy on a personal trip to discuss ways to combat human trafficking. As an attorney, Edwards handled a variety of cases, though he did not practice criminal law because of his brother's status as the local sheriff.[6]. He is presently working to promote public education over chartered schools. The couple is blessed with three children. On the second ballot, after Republican Cameron Henry, an ally of Senator David Vitter, withdrew from consideration, a second Republican, Taylor Barras of New Iberia, was named Speaker. [33], At the end of 2018, Edwards said that his top priority for 2019 was to achieve a $1,000 pay raise for teachers and a $500 raise for school support workers. John Bel Edwards, the Louisiana Democrat, was … Edwards is a Roman Catholic[25] and a parishioner of the St. Helena Roman Catholic Church in Amite. His father was John Bel was born on 16th September, 1966 in Amite to Dora Jean Miller and Frank M. Edwards. Ten years before Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards is readying to receive his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Gov. In 2013 he announced that he would run for governor in the gubernatorial elections in 2015. John Bel Edwards was born on September 16, 1966 to father Frank and mother Dora Jean. After his graduation from the United States' Military Academy, he extended eight years of service to his country while working as an Airborne Ranger. In 1988, Edwards received a bachelor's degree in engineering from the United States Military Academy, where he was on the Dean's List and served as vice chairman of the panel that enforced the West Point honor code.[6]. [24][25], Edwards campaigned on a policy to reduce the prison population in Louisiana. He graduated in 1984, as a valedictorian from high school. John Bel Edwards at odds with much of his Democratic base, Federal judge's questions point toward striking down Mississippi's latest abortion ban, "My statement on the passage of SB 184 following final passage by the Louisiana Legislature. In 2008, he found himself battling it off with George Tucker for a seat in the ‘Louisiana House of Representatives’ from District 72. His campaign was 'pro-life' and 'pro-gun rights'. [3] He was raised in Amite, Louisiana, the son of Dora Jean (née Miller) and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Frank M. Edwards Jr. John Bel Edwards was born into an economically and politically well-established family in the parish. Supporters of the recall have up to 180 days—or no later than February 27, 2021—to collect just over 600,000 signatures to require a recall election. Edwards is married to Donna (née Hutto, born February 1967). By the next year, the number of Louisiana individuals without health insurance was cut in half (11.4%, which was down from 22.7%). His vaccination Tuesday comes a day after he expanded access to … Before the Civil War, the Edwards family were among the largest slaveowners in the United States,[4] and after the war several of his ancestors were sheriffs before his father. Last year, America magazine taped a lengthy interview with him. He went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in 1988 from the United States Military Academy at West Point. John Bel is married to his high-school sweetheart. In third place was Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle of Breaux Bridge, who received 214,982 votes (19.3 percent). John Bel Edwards was born on 16 September, 1966 in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, United States, is a 56th Governor of Louisiana. His ethnicity is White while Virgo is his zodiac sign. The Barras selection was considered a surprise because he had not even been mentioned as a candidate until the voting started. Celebrating "A Legacy of Sheriff's, "Democratic State Representative John Bel Edwards", "George R Tucker: Hammond, LA Lawyer, Lawyer, Attorney, Attorneys", "Louisiana House of Representatives - Internet Portal", "John Bel Edwards announces he is running for governor in 2015", "Republican Dardenne Endorses Democrat Edwards", "Republican governors group weighs in on Louisiana governor's race with ad targeting John Bel Edwards", "Poll: Edwards has nine point lead over Vitter in LA governor's race", "Three polls show John Bel Edwards leading David Vitter in stunning turn of events surrounding governor's race", "John Bel Edwards beats David Vitter to become Louisiana's next governor", "John Bel Edwards doesn't get his pick for House speaker", "Gov. He assumed the office of governor in 2016 after winning the gubernatorial election of 2015 against Republican nominee David Vitter. John Bel Edwards' new top aide who's 'maybe not your traditional type of chief of staff, "Donna Edwards – First Lady of Louisiana", The America Profile: Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, the pro-life Catholic Democrat, "Fatal crash kills brother of Tangipahoa Parish sheriff", Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Governors and executives of U.S. states and territories, Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Bel_Edwards&oldid=1006539248, Democratic Party state governors of the United States, Louisiana State University Law Center alumni, Members of the Louisiana House of Representatives, Short description is different from Wikidata, BLP articles lacking sources from October 2019, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Executive Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Activities, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board Chairman, Director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Executive Director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Secretary of Public Safety and Corrections, Secretary of Transportation and Development, Secretary of Children and Family Services, This page was last edited on 13 February 2021, at 12:05. John Bel Edwards (born September 16, 1966) is an American politician and attorney serving as the 56th governor of Louisiana. He graduated from law school with honors and began his career as a clerk for a federal judge in North Carolina. After graduating from the United States Military Academy, he went on to serve his country for eight years as an airborne ranger in the U.S. Army. He has taken steps to provide relief to those who suffered during the previous republican government. They have two daughters, Sarah and Samantha, and a son, John Miller. All the children in the family grew up in a closely knit environment. Market Research Insight pollster Verne Kennedy placed Edwards ahead, 54 to 38 percent or 51 to 40 percent, depending on the level of turnout among African-American voters, 25 or 20 percent. John Edwards was born in a well-to-do family with a governmental background. John always knew that his chances of victory as a democrat was low and scarce so he requested the voters not to vote for a candidate on the basis of party but select the individual first, citing the example of ex- republican governor Bobby Jindal. Edwards won a second term in the 2019 election, becoming the first Democrat to win reelection in Louisiana since Edwin Edwards (no relation) in 1975. John’s middle name “Bel” is named after his grandmother’s maiden surname. [18], On April 13, 2016, Edwards signed an executive order to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from harassment or job dismissals. Edwards' stand on reparations for slavery, two national publications follow supplying evidence of his family's extensive past slave ownership to include "spacious family homes" built entirely by uncompensated slave labor", "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TPSO! to Rescind Predecessor's Antigay Order", "Louisiana uninsured rate drops since expansion of Medicaid", "New Health Insurance Study Released as State Rolls Out Medicaid Expansion", Gov. Raised in Amite, Louisiana, Edwards went to Amite High School and graduated as a valedictorian in 1984. Democrat John Bel Edwards is the 56th governor of Louisiana. Discover John Bel Edwards's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. He continued his statement by referencing his attempts to expand investment in education, reform Louisiana's criminal justice system, pass laws that would protect LGBT citizens from discrimination in the workplace, raise the minimum wage, and ensure equal pay between men and women. As an attorney and politician, John Bel has been an active civilian for his state and country. [7] Edwards was overwhelmingly elected, winning every parish in the district. He also commanded a rifle company in North Carolina while in the 82nd‘Airborne Division at Fort Bragg’. (KLFY) The recall petition demanding Governor John Bel Edwards be removed from office is quickly approaching the deadline to collect enough signatures. The Edwards family attends St. Helena Catholic Church in Amite. Edwards: Teacher Pay Raises My No. [10] Cities and towns that Edwards represented included Amite, Greensburg, and Kentwood as well as part of Hammond. After receiving his commission, he completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning (1988), Ranger School (1989), and the Infantry Officer Advanced Course (1992). LAFAYETTE, La. Age, Biography and Wiki. Childhood & Early life John Bel was born on 16th September, 1966 in Amite to Dora Jean Miller and Frank M. Edwards. Senator David Vitter in the second round of the 2015 election for governor. During his span in the senate, he criticized the then-governor Bobby Jindal for his overseas trips at the cost of finances for higher education. He is a 1988 Dean’s List graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. John Bel Edwards (D) was launched on August 31, 2020. [16], In the runoff on November 21, 2015, Edwards won the election with 56.1 percent of the vote. A member of the Democratic Party, he has served as Governor of Louisiana, since January 11, 2016. Husband, father, public servant, veteran, man of religion, small businessman Edwards will put Louisiana families and Louisiana workers first. Edwards traveled with sisters of the Hospitaller Sisters of Mercy who established a shelter in Baton Rouge for child victims of human trafficking. On November 16, 2019, the people of Louisiana re-elected Governor Edwards and he was sworn in for his second term on January 13, 2019. 1 Goal For 2019", Louisiana House backs $30 billion budget, including bigger boost for teacher pay, "The Cabinet | Office of Governor John Bel Edwards", "Meet Louisiana Gov. He became one of Jindal’s biggest opponents. The order allows an exception for religious organizations who claim that compliance would violate their religious beliefs. Meanwhile, the Republican Governors Association entered the Louisiana campaign in support of Vitter with an advertisement highlighting Edwards' past support for President Barack Obama, who twice lost Louisiana's electoral votes. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/john-bel-edwards-29744.php, Top NBA Players With No Championship Rings, The Hottest Male Celebrities With The Best Abs, The Top 25 Wrestling Announcers Of All Time. Edwards’ Catholic, Pro-Life Beliefs Led to the Family’s Decision on Samantha. From these humble beginnings, Edwards worked in a law firm for several years before starting his own firm in 1993 in Raleigh, North Carolina. After his service and upon returning from the army he pursued law at Louisiana State University Law Center and began practicing as a civil law attorney at his hometown. He … [39] They have two daughters, Sarah and Samantha Edwards, and one son, John Miller Edwards. Though Bel wasn’t considered a threat to the Republicans since Louisiana had a liking for the Republicans but the Conservative Democrat didn’t give up. John Edwards was the first person in his family to go to college. [41], 2007 Louisiana House of Representatives 72nd district election, 2011 Louisiana House of Representatives 72nd district election, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Thirty-one years of marriage down and many more to go. An effort to recall Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards paying his own way to Rome; public to pay for security, Gov. However, after the results and Donald Trump’s election, he stated full support and eagerness to work with the Trump administration, especially concerning “Medicaid expansion” as pledged to his natives. [22], Edwards promised early in 2017 that he could work with the incoming Donald Trump administration. Edwards earned a Juris Doctor from the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1999. Then, he entered the Unites States Military Academy for an undergraduate degree in engineering. He and First Lady Donna Edwards began dating while students at Amite High School. Edwards chaired the Veterans Affairs Committee in the House. Edwards completed Airborne School in 1986, while he was a student at West Point. His parents have been pious Christians and inculcated the same values in him. However, the order does not imply that religious organizations would have to abide by this order if it encroaches upon religious beliefs, but it requests such organizations to place humanity first. He continued to emphasize on “personality over party” and won the election fair and square. John Bel was born seventh out of eight children to Sheriff Frank Jr. and Dora Jean Edwards. [26] One of his first actions as governor was to commute 22 sentences out of 56 that the state's Board of Pardons had identified for him. Here he received his first leadership training as a vice chairman of the panel which monitored the West Point Honor Code. Many of the Louisiana folks believe that their state is presently in need of a governor who cracks less jokes and implements reforms for the betterment of its people. American is his nationality. Louisiana Gov. His family has four generations running as the parish sheriff, and his father filled in for the third. With this order he cancelled the executive order passed by Bobby Jindal in 2015 that supported and protected businesses and non-profit organizations opposing same-sex marriages. John Bel is an active parishioner of St. Helena Roman Catholic Church and similar to his upbringing in a religious home, he has instilled catholic values in his children. According to him, his state had to rise from ashes. Since his father was a part of the administration of Louisiana, he imbibed the principals of service and leadership from a tender age. He ended his military career to return to Louisiana because of family considerations. With a father who was the elected Sheriff of Tangipahoa Parish--the Edwards have four generations of Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs in their family lineage with John Bel's brother Daniel currently serving as Sheriff--John Bel learned the importance of public service at an early age. He was a bright student and acquired straight-A’s in class. Edwin Edwards, but John Bel Edwards' father was friends with the former governor and served in his administration from 1983 to 1987. In the general elections of 2015, he beat Vitter by a 56 to 44 margin. In 2007, Edwards ran for a seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives and was forced into a general election run-off with fellow attorney George Tucker. His father was the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff.

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