John Bel Edwards
John Bel Edwards (born September 16, 1966) is an American politician and attorney who served as the 56th governor of Louisiana from 2016 to 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the Democratic leader of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2012 to 2015.
John Bel Edwards | |
|---|---|
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 Baton Rouge, 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 |
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. 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. He is a United States Army veteran, having served with the 82nd Airborne Division, reaching the rank of captain. He is the most recent Democrat elected to a statewide office in Louisiana.
Some political observers consider Edwards a conservative Democrat.