Changes

|term_end=January 2024

|term_end=January 2024

|predecessor=[[Bobby Jindal]]

|predecessor=[[Bobby Jindal]]

|successor=  

|successor= [[Jeff Landry]]

|office2=Minority Leader of the<br> Louisiana House of Representatives

|office2=Minority Leader of the<br> Louisiana House of Representatives

|term_start2=January 9, 2012

|term_start2=January 9, 2012

|religion=[[Roman Catholic]]

|religion=[[Roman Catholic]]

}}

}}

'''John Bel Edwards''' (born September 16, 1966) is the [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[governor]] of his native [[Louisiana]], who won reelection in a runoff contest held on November 16, 2019. By 40,000 votes, he defeated the [[Republican Party|Republican]] choice, [[Baton Rouge]] [[business]]man [[Eddie Rispone]].

'''John Bel Edwards''' (born September 16, 1966) is the [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] former  [[governor]] of his native [[Louisiana]], who won reelection in a runoff contest held on November 16, 2019. By exactly 40,000 votes (51-49 percent), he defeated the [[Republican Party|Republican]] choice that year, [[Baton Rouge]] [[business]]man [[Eddie Rispone]].

==Background==

==Background==

A graduate of the [[United States Military Academy]] at [[West Point]], [[New York]] and an [[attorney]], Edwards was state representative for District 72 in Tangipahoa Parish, one of the Florida Parishes east of [[Baton Rouge]]. He is a long-term supporter and former delegate for former [[U.S. President]] [[Barack H. Obama]]  and the party's 2016 nominee, [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], though Edwards proclaims a [[pro-life]] position on [[abortion]]. His runoff opponent in 2015, then [[U.S. Senator]] [[David Vitter]], failed to make Edwards' connection to Obama and the Clintons register with a majority of voters.  

A graduate of the [[United States Military Academy]] at [[West Point]], [[New York]] and an [[attorney]], Edwards was state representative for District 72 in Tangipahoa Parish, one of the Florida Parishes east of [[Baton Rouge]]. He is a long-term supporter and former delegate for former [[U.S. President]] [[Barack H. Obama]]  and the party's 2016 nominee, [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]] and the 2020 nominee [[Joe Biden]]. However, Edwards proclaims a [[pro-life]] position on [[abortion]] even though he kept abortion mills open during the [[coronavirus]] [[pandemic]], when he was given the power to close them. His runoff opponent in 2015, then [[U.S. Senator]] [[David Vitter]], failed to make Edwards' connection to Obama and the Clintons register with a majority of voters.

==Gubernatorial matters==

==Gubernatorial matters==

In the general election held on November 21, 2015, Edwards won his first term as governor by defeating Vitter, 646,865 (56.1 percent) to 505,933 (43.9 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11212015/11212015_Statewide.html|title=Results for Election Date: 11/21/2015|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=November 29, 2015}}</ref> On January 11, 2016, Edwards succeeded the term-limited Republican Governor [[Bobby Jindal]], who had dropped his bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

In the general election held on November 21, 2015, Edwards won his first term as governor by defeating Vitter, 646,865 (56.1 percent) to 505,933 (43.9 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11212015/11212015_Statewide.html|title=Results for Election Date: 11/21/2015|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=November 29, 2015}}</ref> On January 11, 2016, Edwards succeeded the term-limited Republican Governor [[Bobby Jindal]], who had dropped his bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

As governor-elect, Edwards named term-limited Democratic state Senator [[Ben Nevers]] of Bogalusa as his chief of staff. Laura Leach of [[Lake Charles]], wealthy wife of former U.S. Representative Anthony Claude "Buddy" Leach, and [[African-American]] [[Mayor]] Jamie Mayo of [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]] joined his transition team.  

As governor-elect, Edwards named term-limited Democratic state Senator [[Ben Nevers]] of Bogalusa as his chief of staff. Laura Leach of [[Lake Charles]], wealthy wife of former U.S. Representative [[Buddy Leach|Anthony Claude "Buddy" Leach, Jr.]], and [[African-American]] then [[Mayor]] Jamie Mayo of [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]] joined his transition team.  

Governor Edwards pushed for various tax increases in an effort to close a large state operating deficit. One of his press spokespersons is [[Jim Beam]] of [[Lake Charles]], who has argued for the need of greater state revenues. The push for taxes has brought the governor in repeated conflict with outgoing Republican House Speaker [[Taylor Barras]] of New Iberia, but Barras is expected to be succeeded in 2020 as Speaker by Republican [[Sherman Mack]].

Governor Edwards pushed for various tax increases in an effort to close a large state operating deficit. One of his press spokespersons is [[Jim Beam]] of [[Lake Charles]], who has argued for the need of greater state revenues. The push for taxes has brought the governor in repeated conflict with outgoing Republican House Speaker [[Taylor Barras]] of New Iberia, but Barras is expected to be succeeded in 2020 as Speaker by Republican [[Sherman Mack]].

Louisiana remains a state which permits transgender men to compete in women sports, a practiced banned in the more conservative states. In 200. In 2021, Edwards vetoed legislation passed by both legislative chambers that would have banned transgenders from women's sports competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lailluminator.com/2021/06/22/louisiana-governor-vetoes-transgender-sports-ban/|title=Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards vetoes ban on transgender women and girls in women’s sports: Lawmakers passed the bill with overwhelming support|author=Julie O'Donoghue|publisher=lailluminator.com|date=June 22, 2021|accessdate=March 11, 2022}}</ref>

Louisiana remains a state which permits transgender men to compete in women sports, a practiced banned in the more conservative states. In 200. In 2021, Edwards vetoed legislation passed by both legislative chambers that would have banned transgenders from women's sports competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lailluminator.com/2021/06/22/louisiana-governor-vetoes-transgender-sports-ban/|title=Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards vetoes ban on transgender women and girls in women’s sports: Lawmakers passed the bill with overwhelming support|author=Julie O'Donoghue|publisher=lailluminator.com|date=June 22, 2021|accessdate=March 11, 2022}}</ref>

==Is Edwards really "pro-life"?==

In 2022, however, Edwards withdrew his endorsement of men in women's sport, and the Fairness in Women's Sports Act was enacted without a second veto.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/06/politics/louisiana-anti-trans-sports-ban-enacted/index.html|title=Louisiana enacts anti-trans sports ban after its Democratic governor declines to take action|publisher=cnn.com|date=June 6, 2022|accessdate=January 14, 2024}}</ref>

In the spring of 2020, Edwards gained repeated national television exposure regarding how hard Louisiana has been hit in the [[coronavirus]] pandemic, particularly New Orleans during [[Mardi Gras]]. Edwards issued a "stay-at-home" order, including churches, but he exempted [[abortion]] clinics from the order though he has long-claimed a "pro-life" position. When he ran for governor in 2015, he cut an advertisement explaining that he and his wife, Donna, had not aborted a child diagnosed as special-needs while still in the womb. He also signed in his first term an anti-abortion bill since held in abeyance by federal courts. The legislation had large bipartisan majorities in both houses of the legislature. With national aspirations presumably in his future, Edwards would be required to abandon any pretense of being opposed to abortion. Louisiana voters are mostly anti-abortion, but 51 percent in 2019 voted to give Edwards a second term. Edwards' comments on how the pandemic has impacted Louisiana motorists led [[Texas]] Governor [[Greg Abbott]] to halt Louisiana motorists from entering Texas.<ref>''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]],'' April 6, 2020.</ref> Griffon calls the governor "St. Bel" because of what Griffon sees as the governor's sanctimonious political stances.

 

In the spring of 2020, Edwards gained repeated national television exposure regarding how hard Louisiana has been hit in the [[coronavirus]] pandemic, particularly New Orleans during [[Mardi Gras]]. Edwards issued a "stay-at-home" order, including churches, but he exempted [[abortion]] clinics from the order though he has long-claimed a "pro-life" position. When he ran for governor in 2015, he cut an advertisement explaining that he and his wife, Donna, had not aborted a child diagnosed as special-needs while still in the womb. He also signed in his first term an anti-abortion bill since held in abeyance by federal courts. The legislation had large bipartisan majorities in both houses of the legislature..<ref>''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]],'' April 6, 2020.</ref> Radio commentator [[Moon Griffon]] has been a persistent critic of the governor, who he has called "St. Bel" because of what Griffon sees as the governor's sanctimonious political stances.

 

==Ronald Greene case==

==Ronald Greene case==

In 2019, while Governor Edwards was seeking reelection, a 49-year-old African-American motorist, Ronald Greene of [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]], died in the custody of state police amid questionable circumstances. Long-withheld body camera footage reveals that white troopers brutalized Greene on a rural roadside in northeast Louisiana. Controversy remains whether Edwards knew at the time the details of Greene's death. The cause of death had been initially listed as a car crash.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/louisiana-releases-footage-ronald-greene-s-arrest-ex-officers-say-n1268223|title=Louisiana releases footage of Ronald Greene's arrest that ex-officers say further erodes trust in police: An autopsy report cites multiple contributing factors in Greene's May 2019 death, including injuries to his head and restraint.|publisher=[[NBC]] News|date=May 21, 2021|accessdate=March 10, 2022}}</ref>

In 2019, while Governor Edwards sought reelection, a 49-year-old African-American motorist, Ronald Greene of [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]], died in the custody of state police amid questionable circumstances. Long-withheld body camera footage reveals that white troopers brutalized Greene on a rural roadside in northeast Louisiana. Controversy remains whether Edwards knew at the time the details of Greene's death. The cause of death had been initially listed as a car crash.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/louisiana-releases-footage-ronald-greene-s-arrest-ex-officers-say-n1268223|title=Louisiana releases footage of Ronald Greene's arrest that ex-officers say further erodes trust in police: An autopsy report cites multiple contributing factors in Greene's May 2019 death, including injuries to his head and restraint.|publisher=[[NBC]] News|date=May 21, 2021|accessdate=March 10, 2022}}</ref>

==Veto of congressional redistricting bill==

==Veto of congressional redistricting bill==

In March 2022, Edwards vetoed the congressional [[redistricting]] bill because it maintains only one district with a majority of voters being African-American, a heavily Democrat constituency in Louisiana. Edwards instructed the lawmakers to shift boundaries so as to create a second African-American majority distict. Lawmakers in both houses voted by more than two thirds to override Edwards' veto<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/louisiana-governor-vetoes-new-congressional-map/ar-AAURf73?ocid=msedgntp|title=Louisiana governor vetoes new congressional map|publisher=msn.com|date=March 9, 2022|accessdate=March 10, 2022}}</ref>

In March 2022, Edwards vetoed the congressional [[redistricting]] bill because it maintains only one district with a majority of voters being African-American, a heavily Democrat constituency in Louisiana. Edwards instructed the lawmakers to shift boundaries so as to create a second African-American majority distict. Lawmakers in both houses voted by more than two thirds to override Edwards' veto.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/louisiana-governor-vetoes-new-congressional-map/ar-AAURf73?ocid=msedgntp|title=Louisiana governor vetoes new congressional map|publisher=msn.com|date=March 9, 2022|accessdate=March 10, 2022}}</ref>

 

 

The veto override was only the third such occurrence since the implementation of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974.<ref name=redriverradio>{{cite web|url=https://www.redriverradio.org/news/2022-03-31/la-lawmakers-override-gov-edwards-redistricting-maps-veto?msclkid=f8c3d291b12911ec986b177e13cfa6a6|title=LA Lawmakers Override Governor Edwards' Redistricting Maps Veto|publisher=Red River Radio|author=Chuck Smith|date=March 31, 2022}}</ref> Civil rights groups immediately filed suit against the legislative map. The lawmakers "once again voted in favor of a map that violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and undermines the will of thousands of Louisianans who made their voices heard throughout the process demanding fair maps and respect for Black Louisianans," according to Victoria Wengerr, an attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. At issue is whether a predominantly black district must be compact as with District 2 in Louisian, or if a second district can be carved irregularly so as to link minority communities across wide swaths of geography.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/2022/03/31/civil-rights-groups-file-lawsuit-block-louisianas-congressional-map/7228870001/|title=Civil rights groups sue to block Louisiana's congressional map that keeps one Black district|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|date=March 31, 2022|accessdate=April 1, 2022}}</ref>

The veto override was only the third such occurrence since the implementation of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974. The approved legislative map is expected to be contested by civil rights groups and wind up in federal court for review.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.redriverradio.org/news/2022-03-31/la-lawmakers-override-gov-edwards-redistricting-maps-veto?msclkid=f8c3d291b12911ec986b177e13cfa6a6|title=LA Lawmakers Override Governor Edwards' Redistricting Maps Veto|publisher=Red River Radio|author=Chuck Smith|date=March 31, 2022}}</ref>

Federal judges have now ordered a second minority U.S. House district. The matter heads to the legislature in 2024, just days after the inauguration of new Governor [[Jeff Landry]]. The white lawmaker expected to be eliminated through redistricting is [[Garret Graves]] of Baton Rouge.

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Louisiana People]]

[[Category:Louisiana People]]

[[Category:Democrats]]

[[Category:Democrats]]

[[Category:Politicians]]

[[Category:Politicians]]

[[Category:State Representatives]]

[[Category:State Representatives]]

[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]

[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]

[[Category:Inductees of the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame]]

[[Category:Inductees of the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame]]