How this affects his reelection
By Jeff Thomas
National Democratic Party leaders’ criticism of Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards is not only short sighted and unrealistic but potentially politically damaging. Make no mistake, Edwards signature on the latest abortion rights attack bill is as political as it is ethically consistent with his publicly stated personal beliefs. But while national Democratic leaders are engaged in a battle with President Donald Trump and the national Republican Party, locally John Bel Edwards must not only appease progressive Democrats but conservatives across Louisiana.
Edwards is the only Democrat elected to a statewide seat. And Edwards was elected as a pro life Democrat. His position has never wavered, yet some local and national Democrats are highly upset with Edwards and threaten to derail his upcoming gubernatorial campaign. Talk about throwing the baby out with the bath water.
Edwards has always been, at best, a conservative Democrat. Yet during his first term, Edwards delivered Medicare expansion, criminal justice reform and worked with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to deliver more infrastructure cash to NOLA. Though using some regressive tax schemes for some of the funding, Edwards has also stabilized the state’s budget and increased salaries for Louisiana teachers. Astute and savvy, Edwards success has come mainly via back breaking political tactics used against the Republican legislature bolstered by strong voting blocks, especially the legislative Black Caucus.
And his signature of the abortion bill virtually assures his reelection. Quick geography check and Louisiana is still a part of the dirty deep south, where people skew very conservative. And though Edwards currently is the most powerful political force in Louisiana, his veto of the bill would have weakened him so much that his reelection would be dicey at best. The political calculation was easy. Signing the abortion bill makes Edwards much more palatable for Republican voters across the state
High Wire Balancing Act
Edwards seems to have hit the sweet spot in pleasing disparate and divergent voting blocs. Most importantly, Edwards gets to stay true to his personal beliefs. He has always been a pro-life politician. Yet he is a registered Democrat. And his progressive positions on healthcare, fair share and teacher pay are enough to galvanize his liberal base as he seeks reelection. Meanwhile, his support of a highly conservative abortion bill endears him to the conservative populace that dominate the voting rolls across the state.
That leaves little room for attack from future challengers. Sure, he raised taxes, but he delivered healthcare to a poor population of whites who actually voted against their own interests but now enjoy the benefits of his policies. The state’s economy is doing better than any year under his predecessor, Bobby Jindal. And even after releasing large numbers of nonviolent inmates from state prisons, crime has dropped every year statewide since his election.
National Democratic Party leaders’ protestations might temporarily dampen the governor’s approval ratings, but over the long haul this too shall pass as the reality of electing a more conservative Republican becomes apparent to Democrats. And although a vocal minority of highly invested abortion rights activists are raising a ruckus now, they will have little options in the upcoming election. Even they will likely vote to reelect Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards.
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu
Publisher — Black Source Media
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu
I am pleased Governor Edwards does not support abortion as most or all democrats do. Learning this will sway my voting decision as I am a republican.