John Bel Edwards 2016-Present

Born: Sept. 16, 1966, East Baton Rouge Parish
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Education: United States Military Academy at West Point; Louisiana State University Law Center
Career Prior to Term: Lawyer; State Legislator
How He Became Governor: Elected in 2015

On Jan. 11, 2016, John Bel Edwards was sworn in as the 56th governor of Louisiana.

The governor grew up in Amite, La. as one of eight children. With four Tangipahoa Parish sheriffs in his lineage, he learned the importance of public service at an early age.

Gov. Edwards graduated in 1988 from the United States Military Academy at West Point. The governor served eight years as an Airborne Ranger on active duty with the United States Army and commanded a rifle company in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. He went on to graduate Order of the Coif from Louisiana State University Law Center and set up a civil law practice in his home town of Amite.

In 2008, he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 72, where he served for eight years until the voters of Louisiana elected him governor in November of 2015.

Gov. Edwards and his wife, First Lady Donna Edwards, have three children: Samantha Bel, Sarah Ellen and John Miller.