John Edwards

Democrat, John Edwards was born in Seneca, South Carolina in 1953. He was raised by his parents Wallace and Bobby Edwards in Robbins, North Carolina. John learned the values of hard work working alongside his father at the mill, and he developed a strong belief that all Americans deserve an equal opportunity to succeed and be heard. John was the first in his family to go to college. He attended North Carolina State University in 1974, and graduated with high honors, and then earned a law degree with honors from the University of North Carolina: Chapel Hill in 1977. Senator Edwards met his wife, Elizabeth, at Chapel Hill, and they were married in 1977. They had four children. Tragically, the first child died in 1996, leaving the couple with two daughters and one son. For 20 years, John dedicated his career to helping families and children hurt by the negligence of others. He was a Law Clerk at the Office of Judge Franklin T. Dupree Jr., United States District Court for the Eastern District. He went through numerous associate and partner jobs, and in 1998, John made a commitment to politics and ran for senator. He won. In Congress, Senator Edwards quickly made a remarkable difference to American families. He provided quality health care, better schools, Social Security and Medicare; he protected civil liberties and preserved the environment, and he changed the way campaigns were financed. John helped these families overcome tremendous challenges. John Edward's passionate advocacy for people earned him respect and recognition across the country.