John Bel Edwards

John married his high school love, Donna Hutto. The couple is blessed with three children. They have two daughters, Sarah and Samantha, and a son, John Miller.

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.

His brothers have established ranks in Louisiana. While Daniel H. Edwards is the parish sheriff, his brother Frank M. Edwards is Chief of Louisiana Police. His sister is married to Juvenile Judge and Republican, Blair Downing.

John Bel was born on 16th September, 1966 in Amite to Dora Jean Miller and Frank M. Edwards. His father was the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff. His family has four generations running as the parish sheriff, and his father filled in for the third.

Since his father was a part of the administration of Louisiana, he imbibed the principals of service and leadership from a tender age. His parents have been pious Christians and inculcated the same values in him.

He had seven siblings, including one sister and six brothers. All the children in the family grew up in a closely knit environment. John Bel attended Amite high School.

He was a bright student and acquired straight-A’s in class. He was good in both academics and sports. While in school, he played as a pitcher in the baseball team and played football as well.

He graduated in 1984, as a valedictorian from high school. His teachers recall him to be a down-to-earth student, who would always extend help and respect to his elders and seniors.

After his graduation from the United States' Military Academy, he extended eight years of service to his country while working as an Airborne Ranger.

During bis military career, he had to train at international camping sites, including Korea. He also commanded a rifle company in North Carolina while in the 82nd‘Airborne Division at Fort Bragg’.

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.

John’s family had always been a part of administration of the state so it was very natural for him to turn to politics. In 2008, he found himself battling it off with George Tucker for a seat in the ‘Louisiana House of Representatives’ from District 72.

It wasn’t a surprise that he won the election owing to his reputation and background. In the House he worked efficiently and looked into the ‘Veterans Affairs Committee’.

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.

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 became one of Jindal’s biggest opponents.

He managed to retain his seat in the Senate election of 2011, beating Johnny Duncan in the race with a massive 83 % votes. This made him the Louisiana House Minority Leader while he represented his hometown, Greensburg, Kentwood and Hammond.