John Bel Edwards is an American politician serving as the Governor of Louisiana. He was first elected in 2015 and is a member of the Democratic Party. Edwards is known for his focus on issues such as healthcare, education, and economic development in the state. Before becoming governor, Edwards served in the Louisiana House of Representatives and was a member of the U.S. Army as an airborne ranger. He is the first Democrat to hold the governorship in Louisiana since 2008 and has worked to address challenges like budget deficits and natural disaster recovery.