A popular song once told us that “One is the loneliest number that there’s ever been.” And that’s the case for Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards.
Edwards is the only Democrat governor in the nation who is pro-life on abortion. He one of just a handful of pro-life Democrats elected at any major federal or statewide level — a reminder that most pro-life Democrats have become Republicans as the Democrat Party has drifted further left and become ubiquitously pro-abortion.
Edwards beat pro-life Republican businessman Eddie Rispone 51.3% to 48.7% over the weekend. national pundits tried to use the victory as a knock on President Trump and his re-elecetion bid, but the truth of the matter is Edwards won primarily because he’s one of the last vestiges of a conservative Democrat in a southern state. Had he been a staunchly liberal abortion proponent, the pro-life movement would have come out in full force and Louisiana voters likely would have voted more strongly Republican.
But pro-life voters were happy to reward Edwards, who signed into law an abortion ban earlier this year. In March, Edwards signed the bill banning abortions when an unborn baby’s heartbeat begins.
“I know there are many who feel just as strongly as I do on abortion and disagree with me – and I respect their opinions,” Edwards said in a statement.
“As I prepare to sign this bill, I call on the overwhelming bipartisan majority of legislators who voted for it to join me in continuing to build a better Louisiana that cares for the least among us and provides more opportunity for everyone.”
“I ran for governor as a pro-life candidate after serving as a pro-life legislator for eight years. As governor, I have been true to my word and beliefs on this issue. But it is also my sincere belief that being pro-life means more than just being pro-birth,” said Edwards.
“For each of the last three years, my administration has set records for the number of children being adopted out of our foster care system.
Edwards’ signature didn’t go over well with his own party — as New Orleans Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, the head of the state’s Democratic party, called the measure “egregious and offensive” and had encouraged opponents to call the governor’s office to urge him not to sign the bill.
“Sad day in Louisiana,” Peterson said on Twitter. “Women’s right to choose completely disrespected! It’s offensive! One’s faith is not imposed on others in their policy … others have (different) beliefs.”
But Benjamin Clapper, Executive Director of Louisiana Right to Life, told LifeNews.com after the signing: “We thank Governor Edwards for signing the Heartbeat bill into law to protect unborn babies whose heartbeat can be detected. Abortion stops the beating heart of a precious and irreplaceable unborn child, and the Heartbeat bill is another step towards full protection of the rights of these children. We look forward to a day when every baby is protected by law and welcomed with love in our state and nation.”
Edwards deserves kudos for standing up for life in the face of a monotonically pro-abortion Democrat Party. If the party had more elected officials willing to take a morl and principled stand for women and unborn children, Planned Parenthood would have less of a stranglehold over it.
