John Bel Edwards | |
---|---|
![]() | |
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 9, 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 Amite, Louisiana, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Donna Hutto |
Alma mater | U.S. Military Academy Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | 1988–1996 |
Unit | 25th Infantry Division 82nd Airborne Division |
John Bel Edwards (born September 16, 1966) is an American attorney and Democratic Party politician. He was the Governor of Louisiana from 2016 to 2024.[1] He was elected on November 21, 2015. He was a member of and the Minority Leader of the Louisiana House of Representatives, having represented the 72nd District from 2008 through 2016.
Edwards was born in Amite City, Louisiana.[2] Many of his family members have been police officers,[3] and in the 19th century they owned a lot of slaves.[4] Edwards was an officer in the United States Army then a lawyer before he decided to run for governor.[5]