Democratic state Rep John Bel Edwards promotes life story to voters in race for governor

John Bel Edwards is a West Point graduate in the political fight of his life — a Democrat trying to defy the odds and become Louisiana’s next governor.

And one way to do so, friends and backers say, is to present his life story to the public so that his string of successes propels him over his better-financed Republican rivals in an increasingly GOP state.

“I think he has a reputation and a message and a biography that makes him a pretty impressive candidate,” said Brad Stevens, Edwards’ nephew and law partner.

Edwards, 49, grew up in Amite, which is the parish seat of Tangipahoa Parish.

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