MEET JOHN BEL EDWARDS

EDWARDS SUPPORTS PRESIDENT OBAMA AND OBAMACARE

ObamaCare Support

In May 2013, Edwards Called Louisiana’s Medicaid Eligibility Standard The “Second Stingiest” In The Country And Referred To ObamaCare As “The Law Of The Land”

“Edwards Said The Current Medicaid Eligibility Standard, At 25 Percent Of The Poverty Line, Is The ‘Second Stingiest’ In The Country As Far As Having Medicaid Eligibility.” (Sheila V Kumar, “Committee Kills Medicaid Resolution,” The Times-Picayune, 5/15/13)

Edwards: “The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, and the only question we have is how do we govern in light of the reality? It’s time to govern and not to continue to view this strictly through a political prism.” (Sheila V Kumar, “Committee Kills Medicaid Resolution,” The Times-Picayune, 5/15/13)

With The Reelection Of Obama, Edwards Said “He Hopes Jindal Will Extricate Himself From Politically-Based Stances On The Health Care Reform Law”

With The Reelection Of Obama, Edwards Said “He Hopes Jindal Will Extricate Himself From Politically-Based Stances On The Health Care Reform Law.” “With the re-election of President Barack Obama securing the ongoing implementation of the Affordable Care Act, Edwards said he hopes Jindal will extricate himself from politically-based stances on the health care reform law.” (Lil Mirando, “Health Care Reform Issues Loom,” The Daily Star, 11/15/12)

Edwards Admitted He Voted For Obama In The Past Two Presidential Election

Edwards Admitted He Voted For Obama, And John Kerry In The Past Three Presidential Elections. “Still another asked him who he voted for in the last three presidential elections. The Democrat, he replied.” (Stephanie Riegel, “John Bel Edwards Gets Relatively Warm Reception At Meeting Of East Baton Rouge Conservatives,” Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, 4/28/15)

2012 Election

Edwards was an Obama delegate for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

In 2012, Edwards Was Elected Delegate To Represent Louisiana At The Democratic National Convention To “Launch President Barack Obama And Vice President Joe Biden On Their Path Towards Re-Election”

Edwards Was An Obama Delegate To The 2012 Democratic National Convention. “The DNC At-Large and Party Leaders & Elected Official (PLEO) delegates elected on Saturday are: PLEO Delegates: Representative Wesley Bishop, Representative John Bel Edwards.” (Louisiana Democratic Party, “Louisiana Dems: Louisiana DNC Delegation Fired Up and Ready to Go to Charlotte!,” Press Release, 6/3/12)

Louisiana Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Carter Peterson Said Louisiana’s Delegates Would “Launch President Barack Obama And Vice President Joe Biden On Their Path Towards Re-Election.” “Louisiana Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Carter Peterson was elected to lead the delegation when it

met immediately after the completion of the DSCC meeting. ‘To those fortunate enough to be selected to represent all Louisiana Democrats in Charlotte where we will launch President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden on their path towards re-election, I say that we should be both honored and humbled by the opportunity we have been given and the work that we must do,’ Peterson added.” (Louisiana Democratic Party, “Louisiana Dems: Louisiana DNC Delegation Fired Up and Ready to Go to Charlotte!,” Press Release, 6/3/12)

EDWARDS HAS A HISTORY OF PROMOTING A PRO-UNION AGENDA

History Of Union Support

In 2009, State Union President Steve Monaghan Said “Edwards Supported Union Issues 100 Percent Of The Time In The 2008 And 2009 Regular Sessions”

In 2009, The State Union Awarded Edwards With Its Legislator of the Year Award. “The state union awarded its Legislator of the Year awards to Rep. John Bel Edwards, D-Amite, and Rep. Harold Ritchie, D-Bogalusa, both of whom supported union issues 100 percent of the time in the 2008 and 2009 regular sessions, state union President Steve Monaghan said.” (Andrea Shaw And Barri Bronston, “Assessor Pans Tax Hike In Kenner,” The Times-Picayune, 11/28/09)

State Union President Steve Monaghan Said Edwards “Supported Union Issues 100 Percent Of The Time In The 2008 And 2009 Regular Sessions.” “The state union awarded its Legislator of the Year awards to Rep. John Bel Edwards, D-Amite, and Rep. Harold Ritchie, D-Bogalusa, both of whom supported union issues 100 percent of the time in the 2008 and 2009 regular sessions, state union President Steve Monaghan said.” (Andrea Shaw And Barri Bronston, “Assessor Pans Tax Hike In Kenner,” The Times-Picayune, 11/28/09)

Endorsements And Scorecards

In March 2015, The Louisiana AFL-CIO Endorsed Edwards For Governor

In March 2015, The Louisiana AFL-CIO Endorsed Edwards For Governor. “Louisiana’s largest labor organization has endorsed Democratic state Rep. John Bel Edwards in this year’s governor’s race — giving the latest signal that the candidate lineup is unlikely to change much between now and Election Day.” (Elizabeth Crisp, “Labor Group Endorses Edwards In Governor’s Race,” The Advocate, 3/11/15)

The AFL-CIO “Didn’t Hesitate Over The Endorsement,” Even Though Other Candidates Had Several Months To Decide To Run. “AFL-CIO, which typically endorses Democratic candidates, didn’t hesitate over the endorsement Tuesday and quickly voted to back Edwards’ campaign, even though candidates legally have several months to decide to run.” (Elizabeth Crisp, “Labor Group Endorses Edwards In Governor’s Race,” The Advocate, 3/11/15)

In March Of 2015, The Louisiana Federation of Teachers Announced Their Endorsement Of Edwards For Governor

On March 11, 2015, The Louisiana Federation of Teachers, Announced That They Are Supporting Edwards. “Citing his longstanding support for public education, his family values and his inspiring life story, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers today

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announced that it is supporting State Rep. John Bel Edwards for governor.” (“LFT Endorses John Bel Edwards For Governor,” Louisiana Federation Of Teachers & School Employees, Accessed 3/11/15)

LFT President Steve Monaghan, Said “Edwards Earned The Federation’s Full Support Based Upon His Stellar Record Of Fighting For Public Education And Working Families During His Seven Years Of Legislative Service.” “Monaghan said that Rep Edwards earned the Federation’s full support based upon his stellar record of fighting for public education and working families during his seven years of legislative service.” (“LFT Endorses John Bel Edwards For Governor,” Louisiana Federation Of Teachers & School Employees, Accessed 3/11/15)

Monaghan Said That Edwards Has “Been A Voice Of Reason Standing Against Those Who Have Led The State To The Brink Of Disaster.” “From our state’s fiscal crisis to the decline of higher education to the calamitous rollout of Common Core standards, Monaghan said, Edwards has been a voice of reason standing against those who have led the state to the brink of disaster.” (“LFT Endorses John Bel Edwards For Governor,” Louisiana Federation Of Teachers & School Employees, Accessed 3/11/15)

Monaghan Called Edwards One Of The Heroes” Of The Legislature. “When Gov. Jindal and his allies demonized our teachers and attacked public education with the ill-conceived, unconstitutional schemes of 2012, Rep. Edwards was one of the heroes who actually read the legislation, did his own homework, and stood tall in defense of our constitution, our kids, teachers, and communities.” (“LFT Endorses John Bel Edwards For Governor,” Louisiana Federation Of Teachers & School Employees, Accessed 3/11/15)

The Political Action Committee For The Louisiana Association Of Educators Endorsed Edwards For Governor

The PAC For The Louisiana Association of Educators Endorsed Edwards For Governor. “The LAE Fund for Children & Public Education (LAE-FCPE) – the political action committee for the Louisiana Association of Educators – announces Mr. John Bel Edwards as the association’s recommended candidate in the 2015 race for Louisiana Governor” (“The LAE Announces John Bel Edwards As The Group’s Top Pick for Louisiana’s Next Governor,” Louisiana Association Of Educators, 4/13/15)

Edwards Said He Was “Proud To Accept The Support Of Educators And School Employees.” “‘I am proud to accept the support of educators and school employees,’ Edwards said. ‘Together we will be able to promote policies that truly prioritize our students. Better days are ahead!’” (“The LAE Announces John Bel Edwards As The Group’s Top Pick for Louisiana’s Next Governor,” Louisiana Association Of Educators, 4/13/15)

EDWARDS IS A TRIAL LAWYER AND IS FUNDED BY LAWYERS

Edwards’ 2015 Personal Financial Disclosure

Edwards Reports Owning Two-Thirds Of Edwards & Associates Law Firm, LLC

Edwards Reports Being Employed By Edwards & Associates Law Firm LLC, A “General Civil Practice.” (John Bel Edwards, Tier 1 Personal Financial Disclosure Statement, Louisiana Board Of Ethics, Filed 9/14/15)

Edwards Reports Owning Two-Thirds Of The Firm. (John Bel Edwards, Tier 1 Personal Financial Disclosure Statement, Louisiana Board Of Ethics, Filed 9/14/15)

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In 2015 Edwards Reports Earning Between $100,000 - $199,999 From Edwards & Associates

Edwards Reports Earning Between $100,000 - $199,999 From Edwards & Associates. (John Bel Edwards, Tier 1 Personal Financial Disclosure Statement, Louisiana Board Of Ethics, Filed 9/14/15)

Louisiana Association For Justice

Edwards Is A Member On The Board Of Directors Of A Trial Lawyer Association

Edwards Reports Being A Member Of The Board Of Directors Of The Louisiana Association For Justice. (John Bel Edwards, Tier 1 Personal Financial Disclosure Statement, Louisiana Board Of Ethics, Filed 9/14/15)

The Louisiana Association For Justice Is A State Level Trial Lawyer Association. (“State Trial Lawyer Associations,” American Association For Justice, Accessed 10/8/15)

Pushed Pro-Trial Lawyer Legislation

In 2008, Edwards Filed A Bill To Increase The Filing Period For Tort Claims From One Year To Two Years

HB 102 Filed By Edwards Increased The Prescription Period For Delictual Actions. (“HB 102,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/8/15)

HB 102 Would Increase The Filing Period For Tort Claims From One Year To Two Years. (“HB 102,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/8/15)

Edwards Voted Against A Measure That “Would Have Stopped People From Unfairly Shopping For Judges Likely To Rule In Their Favor”

“HB 245 By Rep. Kirk Talbot Would Have Stopped People From Unfairly Shopping For Judges Likely To Rule In Their Favor.” (Melissa Landry, Op-Ed, “Legislators Failed To Make Tort Reform,” Daily Advertiser, 9/2/09)

Edwards Voted Nay On HB 245. (“HB 245 Final Passage,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/14/15)

In 2012, Edwards Filed HB 672, To Extend The Period For Which Workers Compensation Claims Could Be Filed

Edward Filed HB 672, Which Changed The Prescriptive Period For Certain Injuries For Workers Compensation. (“HB 672,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/8/15)

HB 672 Extends Time To File Claim For Workers’ Comp From 1 Year After Injury To 3 Years. (“HB 672,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/8/15)

In 2008 Edwards Filed HB 664, Which Would Increase The Medical Malpractice Cap

Edwards Filed HB 664 To Increase The Medical Malpractice Cap Based On The Consumer Price Index. (“HB 664,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/8/15)

In 2014, Edwards Opposed A Bill That Restricted How The State Attorney General Hires Private Lawyers

In 2014, The Louisiana Legislature Passed The “Transparency In Outside Counsel Contracts In The Attorney General’s Office” Bill. (HB799, Louisiana State Legislature, Accessed 5/28/15)

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State Rep. Scott Bishop (R) Sponsored The Bill To Restrict How The State Attorney General Hires Private Lawyers Because Of A Concern For “Transparency.” “During recent legislative hearings, state Rep. Stuart J. Bishop testified that he sponsored a bill to restrict how the state attorney general hired private lawyers because of a concern for transparency.” (Marc Ballard, “Jindal Signs Bills To Ban AG Contracts,” The Advocate, 7/24/14)

House Bill 799 Forbids The State Attorney General From Hiring Lawyers On A “Contingency Fee” Basis. “House Bill 799 basically forbids the state attorney general from hiring lawyers on a ‘contingency-fee’ basis. Basically, such arrangements require the plaintiffs’ lawyers to pay up-front costs in return for a portion of the winnings, if any. Louisiana became the ninth state in the country to adopt those new rules being pushed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a group that lobbies for large corporations.” (Marc Ballard, “Jindal Signs Bills To Ban AG Contracts,” The Advocate, 7/24/14)

The Bill Prohibited The Attorney General “From Retaining Any Special Attorney Or Counsel On A Contingency Fee Basis In The Absence Of Express Statutory Authority.” “To amend and reenact R.S. 42:262 and R.S. 49:259(A) and (C), relative to legal representation of state entities; to prohibit the state entities from retaining any special attorney or counsel on a contingency fee basis in the absence of express statutory authority; to provide that attorney fees recovered by the state belong to the state; to provide for the deposit and use of attorney fees recovered by the state into the Department of Justice Legal Support Fund; to provide for record-keeping and hourly rates of a special attorney or counsel representing the state; to require certain entities to obtain approval prior to employment of any special attorney or counsel; to provide for certain requirements relative to the contract, application and resolution; to provide for exceptions; to provide for a preference in hiring certain attorneys; to provide transparency relative to approval and ratification of a contract by the attorney general and governor; to provide for prospective application; and to provide for related matters.” (HB799, Louisiana State Legislature, Accessed 5/28/15)

The Bill Was Called An “Important Victory” In The Fight Against Contingency Fee Agreements. “Perhaps the most important victory for the corporate lawyers came this year in Louisiana, where Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, a Republican, has collected $294 million in settlements since 2011 against pharmaceutical companies with the help of outside law firms, which in turn have earned $54 million in fees. The legislation, Mr. Caldwell said in a statement, was devised by the companies to ‘restrict and destroy the attorney general’s ability to hold them accountable.’” (Eric Lipton, “Lawyers Create Big Paydays By Coaxing Attorneys General To Sue,” The New York Times, 12/19/14)

Edwards Voted Nay On The Final Passage Of HB 799. (“HB 799,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/14/15)

Funded By Trial Lawyers

Edwards’ Largest Donors Are “By Far Are Attorneys, Which Speaks To His Own Calling As A Trial Lawyer”

“Edwards’ Largest Donors By Far Are Attorneys, Which Speaks To His Own Calling As A Trial Lawyer.” (Jeremy Alford, “Saved By The Bel?,” Gambit Weekly, 5/7/13)

“He Refers To His Business As A ‘Plaintiff's Practice.’” (Jeremy Alford, “Saved By The Bel?,” Gambit Weekly, 5/7/13)

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Political Scientist Pinsonant Said “His Profession Is A Trial Lawyer, And Louisiana Is Not A Friendly State [For Trial Lawyers], One Of The Top Three In That Regard.” “Pinsonat says business and industry won't see a distinction. ‘His profession is a trial lawyer, and Louisiana is not a friendly state [for trial lawyers], one of the top three in that regard,’ the pollster says. ‘He will certainly be up against it with the business community, and they will be throwing money at it.’” (Jeremy Alford, “Saved By The Bel?,” Gambit Weekly, 5/7/13)

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