When Democrat Jon Bel Edwards was elected governor of Louisiana in 2015, few expected the West Point graduate from Amite to become one of the most consequential leaders for New Orleans in recent memory. In a deep red state, Edwards defied expectations—not by loud partisanship, but by delivering quiet, pragmatic progress that reshaped healthcare, justice, education, and climate policy across the state.
While some progressives have rightfully criticized his pro-life stance, Edwards’ record reveals a legacy that advanced many core progressive values in a political environment where a more liberal candidate would have never won. Here’s why he deserves a second look.
From Underdog to Governor
Raised in a working-class family in rural Amite, Louisiana, Edwards graduated from West Point, served as an Army Ranger, and later earned a law degree from LSU Law School. He returned home to practice civil law before being elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives, where he served from 2008 to 2016.
In 2015, he pulled off a stunning upset by defeating Republican U.S. Senator David Vitter, and in 2019, he narrowly won re-election against Trump-backed businessman Eddie Rispone. In a state where Democrats are usually routed, Edwards showed that a disciplined, people-first message could still win.
Medicaid Expansion: A Game-Changer for Louisiana
One of Edwards’ first acts in office was signing Executive Order JBE 16-01 to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. By 2019, this decision had delivered healthcare coverage to more than 500,000 Louisianans, many of whom were uninsured working-class residents in New Orleans.
This expansion led to a massive reduction in the uninsured rate—from 22% to under 9%—and provided a financial lifeline to charity hospitals across the state.
Criminal Justice Reform with Real Impact
Under Edwards’ leadership, Louisiana passed one of the most ambitious bipartisan criminal justice reform packages in the South. In 2017, he signed 10 reform bills that:
• Reduced mandatory minimums for nonviolent crimes
• Expanded parole eligibility
• Invested savings into rehabilitation and re-entry programs
These changes helped Louisiana shed its title as the “incarceration capital of the world.” The state prison population dropped significantly, with Black communities in New Orleans seeing the greatest benefit from reduced sentencing.
Stabilizing the Budget and Investing in Education
When Edwards took office, Louisiana was facing a $2 billion budget deficit. His administration turned that around, balancing the budget without slashing vital services. He pushed through multiple teacher pay raises, including a $1,000 bump in 2019—the first in a decade.
He also expanded early childhood education and fought to protect public schools from privatization schemes.
Climate Leadership in a Petrochemical State
In a state where oil and gas dominate the economy, Edwards stood out as the first Louisiana governor to acknowledge climate change. He created the state’s Climate Initiatives Task Force and set a goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
He also accelerated coastal restoration efforts to combat land loss, a critical issue for flood-prone areas like New Orleans.
A Pro-Life Governor in a Deep Red State
Yes, Edwards signed a controversial six-week abortion ban in 2019. And for many progressives, that’s a dealbreaker.
But it’s worth acknowledging a hard truth: in Louisiana, a pro-choice Democrat likely would not have been elected at all. Without Edwards, there would have been no Medicaid expansion. No justice reform. No environmental progress. Sometimes, winning power—especially in conservative strongholds—requires ideological compromise.
And in exchange for that compromise, progressives in Louisiana gained real, material wins.
Why His Legacy Matters
Jon Bel Edwards won where few Democrats could, and governed in a way that delivered for the working class, marginalized communities, and future generations. He may not have satisfied every wing of the Democratic Party, but his record shows measurable progress in areas that matter deeply to New Orleans.
If we dismiss leaders like Edwards because they aren’t perfect, we risk losing the gains they made—and handing the future to those who will reverse them.
The post Why Progressives Shouldn’t Overlook Jon Bel Edwards’ Legacy in New Orleans appeared first on Big Easy.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
