Derrick Edwards

Derrick Edwards (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Louisiana. He lost in the primary on November 3, 2020.

Edwards completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

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Edwards was born in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. He suffered a broken neck while playing football in high school. As a result of the injury, Edwards was left paralyzed from the neck down. Edwards holds a bachelor's and a master's degree in accounting from Tulane University. He also earned a J.D. from Loyola University in 2003. Edwards is a lawyer and disability advocate.^[1]

Elections

2020

Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. Senate Louisiana

The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. Senate Louisiana on November 3, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Bill Cassidy (R)	59.3	1,228,908
	Adrian Perkins (D)	19.0	394,049
	Derrick Edwards (D)	11.1	229,814
	Antoine Pierce (D)	2.7	55,710
	Dustin Murphy (R)	1.9	38,383
	David Drew Knight (D)	1.8	36,962
	Beryl Billiot (Independent)	0.8	17,362
	John Paul Bourgeois (Independent)	0.8	16,518
	Peter Wenstrup (D)	0.7	14,454
	Aaron Sigler (L)	0.5	11,321
	M.V. Mendoza (Independent)	0.4	7,811
	Melinda Mary Price (Independent)	0.4	7,680
	Jamar Myers-Montgomery (Independent)	0.3	5,804
	Reno Jean Daret III (Independent)	0.2	3,954
	Xan John (Independent)	0.1	2,813

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,071,543
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Greg Fitch (Independent)
Dartanyon Williams (D)

2019

Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Louisiana State Treasurer

Incumbent John Schroder won election outright against Derrick Edwards and Teresa Kenny in the primary for Louisiana State Treasurer on October 12, 2019.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	John Schroder (R)	60.0	769,462
	Derrick Edwards (D)	34.5	442,740
	Teresa Kenny (Independent)	5.5	69,908

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 1,282,110
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2017

See also: Louisiana treasurer election, 2017

Louisiana held a primary election for treasurer on October 14, 2017, with a general election on November 18, 2017. This special election was called after the previous treasurer, John Neely Kennedy, was elected to the U.S. Senate.

John Schroder (R) defeated Derrick Edwards (D) in the election for Treasurer of Louisiana.

Election for Treasurer of Louisiana, 2017
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	John Schroder	55.74%	208,144
	Democratic	Derrick Edwards	44.26%	165,271
Total Votes				373,415
Source: Secretary of State of Louisiana

The following candidates ran in the election for Treasurer of Louisiana.

Election for Treasurer of Louisiana, 2017
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Derrick Edwards	31.26%	125,503
	Republican	John Schroder	24.02%	96,440
	Republican	Angele Davis	21.64%	86,880
	Republican	Neil Riser	18.13%	72,792
	Republican	Terry Hughes	2.77%	11,117
	Libertarian	Joseph D. Little	2.18%	8,767
Total Votes				401,499
Source: Secretary of State of Louisiana

2016

See also: United States Senate election in Louisiana, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated Louisiana's U.S. Senate race as safely Republican. The seat was open following incumbent David Vitter's decision to retire. A total of 24 candidates filed to run and competed in the primary election on November 8, 2016. John Kennedy (R) and Foster Campbell (D) took the top two spots in the election, advancing to the general election on December 10, 2016. Kennedy subsequently defeated Campbell in the general election.^[2]

**U.S. Senate, Louisiana General Election, 2016**
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	John Kennedy	60.7%	536,191
	Democratic	Foster Campbell	39.3%	347,816
Total Votes				884,007
Source: Louisiana Secretary of State

**U.S. Senate, Louisiana Primary Election, 2016**
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	John Kennedy	25%	482,591
	Democratic	Foster Campbell	17.5%	337,833
	Republican	Charles Boustany	15.4%	298,008
	Democratic	Caroline Fayard	12.5%	240,917
	Republican	John Fleming	10.6%	204,026
	Republican	Rob Maness	4.7%	90,856
	Republican	David Duke	3%	58,606
	Democratic	Derrick Edwards	2.7%	51,774
	Democratic	Gary Landrieu	2.4%	45,587
	Republican	Donald Crawford	1.3%	25,523
	Republican	Joseph Cao	1.1%	21,019
	Independent	Beryl Billiot	1%	19,352
	Libertarian	Thomas Clements	0.6%	11,370
	Independent	Troy Hebert	0.5%	9,503
	Democratic	Josh Pellerin	0.4%	7,395
	Democratic	Peter Williams	0.4%	6,855
	Democratic	Vinny Mendoza	0.3%	4,927
	Independent	Kaitlin Marone	0.2%	4,108
	Libertarian	Le Roy Gillam	0.2%	4,067
	Republican	Charles Marsala	0.2%	3,684
	Independent	Arden Wells	0.1%	1,483
	Independent	Bob Lang	0.1%	1,424
	Independent	Gregory Taylor	0.1%	1,151
Total Votes				1,932,059
Source: Louisiana Secretary of State

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

Derrick Edwards completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Edwards' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Derrick Edwards and I am an attorney running in the United States Senate election in Louisiana against Sen. Bill Cassidy. In 1989, I suffered a high school football injury, leaving me paralyzed in a wheelchair. Despite being paralyzed, I graduated on time with my high school class and went on to become the first quadriplegic to receive a Bachelor and Masters in Accounting from Tulane University and a Law Degree from Loyola University School of Law. I have a track record of perseverance, overcoming the odds and achieving success, which I will bring to the United States Senate.

The reason I am running for U.S. Senator is because the people of Louisiana and the United States deserve a true public servant that will champion and fight for social justice, racial justice and economic justice for all of us. Unlike Sen. Bill Cassidy, he champion and fights for the wealthy billionaires and big corporations as his voting record reflects not the hard-working people of Louisiana. See my website to look at Sen. Bill Cassidy voting record. I am asking for your support and vote in this election on November 3, 2020.

This is a link to the Today Show segment with Hoda Kotb featuring my amazing story called, "Defying the Odds." Also, I have included the link to my campaign website with my political platform, for your review.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=mMQL7c_vEHE&feature=emb_logo

https://www.votederrickedwards.com

Thanks

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Affordable Housing
Additional Funding for Small-Business until the Coronavirus Pandemic is over
Free College Tuition to State Colleges and Universities

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The areas of public policy, I am personally passionate about are Arm Forces and National Security, Economics and Public Finance, Education, Health, Law, Environmental Protection and Government Operations and Government Policy.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I think the characteristics and principles that are most important to an elected official are honesty, integrity, faith and moral values in public service.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

In 1989 at the age of 17, I suffered a high school football injury that was historical to me, because it left me paralyzed in a wheelchair. Despite being paralyzed, I graduated on time with my high school class and went on to become the first quadriplegic to receive a Bachelor and Masters in Accounting from Tulane University and a Law Degree from Loyola University School of Law. I have a track record of perseverance, overcoming the odds and achieving success with faith in GOD, which I will bring to the United States Senate.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Tie a Yellow Ribbon around the Old Oak Tree, because this song is about fighting for your country and hoping and believing your love one believes in your commitment to our country and will sacrifice and wait for you to return from war.

What qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The United States Senate has the sole power to approve treaties, and the confirmation of Cabinet Secretaries, Supreme Court Justices, Federal Judges, ambassadors, other federal executive officials. The Senate has the responsibility of conducting the trials of those impeached by the House of Representatives.

What do you think of the filibuster?

The Filibuster is a delaying tactic used in the United States Senate to block a bill, amendment, resolution, or other measure being considered by preventing it from coming to a final vote. I think the filibuster should be eliminated, because it is used to weaponize partisan obstruction to prevent any opportunity to make the changes the American people want. This would allow legislation to pass with 50 votes instead of 60 votes.

What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees?

As your next senator in Louisiana, this is simple. The criteria I would apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees is experience, results and job performance to serve the American people.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2019

Ballotpedia survey responses

Derrick Edwards did not complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

2017

The following issues were found on Edwards' campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.

“	I am the Most Qualified Candidate running for the Louisiana State Treasurer’s office and the Election is on October 14, 2017. I am the Only Candidate with a Bachelor and Masters in Accounting from Tulane University and a Law Degree. The Louisiana State Treasurer election is statewide. Please Register & Vote. As your next State Treasurer, I will Represent the People of Louisiana with Integrity, Accountability and Transparency, so that You Know Exactly How Your Tax Dollars Are Being Spent and Wasted. When any Legislative Bill is Passed wasting LA Taxpayers money, I will Post These Bills on the State Treasurer’s Website and Social Media, so that the people of Louisiana Know exactly how their Tax Dollars are Being Wasted and what Politicians voted for the Bill, so that you can Hold Those Politicians Accountable for Wasting Your Tax Dollars by Voting Them Out of Office. I need your Support, Vote and Donations, because Louisiana Politicians have a Spending Problem, not a Revenue Problem. We pay the Highest Sales Tax in the United States with Little to Show for It. Let’s elect a Public Servant, Not a Career Politician. It’s Time for a Change and vote Derrick Edwards, Louisiana State Treasurer on October 14, 2017. Together, we can and will make Louisiana a place, Everybody is Proud to Call Home. ^[3]	”
—Derrick Edwards^[4]

2016

The following issues were listed on Edwards' campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.

“

Small Business: As your next United States senator, I will author a Bill to invest in grants to grow small businesses, because they are the engine that fuel Louisiana economy. Small businesses create jobs in our community that directly stimulate our economy. We need to cut taxes for small businesses and I will work with the small business administration to simplify regulations and reduce compliance costs.

Economy: I will have a Bill in place within my first 100 days, as your next United States Senator to reduce taxes on small businesses. This will allow the money generated by small business to stay within Louisiana economy. I will also work with my United States Senate colleagues to have a Bill in place, as your next United States Senator to Strengthen Louisiana economy by using the federal government to create more high paying jobs with benefits with an infrastructure Bill to improve and repair our roads, streets, highways, bridges, levies and dams that will create many good construction jobs throughout Louisiana.

Social Security: Eliminate the tax cap-workers pay into Social Security based on earnings of up to $117,000. Individuals who earn more than that don’t pay Social Security payroll taxes on that amount or have it factored into their retirement benefit. The cap covers about 83% of all earnings. This change would result in payroll taxes on all earned income, instead of only a portion of them, and getting higher benefit payments in retirement. Eliminating the payroll tax cap would reduce 74% of the Social Security’s shortfall.

Reform Healthcare: The United States Supreme Court has upheld the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama Care, which means repealing or eliminating Obama Care will likely not occur, but we can and I will have a Bill written within my first year to amend Obama Care to better serve the medical needs and medical treatments of our young, individuals with disabilities, and senior citizens, by allowing your doctor, not bureaucrats and insurance companies, to determine your medical needs, medical treatment, medical equipment and medical supplies.

Education: I will work with my United States Senate colleagues to increase Pell grant funding for college students and decrease government student loan interest to a 0% interest rate, in addition to federally funding all head start programs, to make sure all American children have an opportunity to receive an excellent education. I am not a supporter of Common Core and I believe Louisiana needs a statewide standard that exceeds what we have in place now.

^[3]

”

—Derrick Edwards' campaign website, http://derrickedwards2016.com/issues/

External links

Suggest a link

Footnotes

↑ Derrick Edwards 2016, "Meet Derrick," accessed July 5, 2016
↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "Candidate Inquiry," accessed July 25, 2016
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
↑ Vote Derrick Edwards, "Issues," accessed August 19, 2017

[show]

Louisiana's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Bill Cassidy (R)

John Kennedy (R)

Representatives

District 1

Steve Scalise (R)

District 2

Troy Carter (D)

District 3

Clay Higgins (R)

District 4

Mike Johnson (R)

District 5

Julia Letlow (R)

District 6

Garret Graves (R)

Republican Party (7)

Democratic Party (1)

[1] Derrick Edwards 2016, "Meet Derrick," accessed July 5, 2016

[list16-2] Louisiana Secretary of State, "Candidate Inquiry," accessed July 25, 2016

[quotedisclaimer-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

[4] Vote Derrick Edwards, "Issues," accessed August 19, 2017

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

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Derrick Edwards

Contents

Biography

Elections

2020

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. Senate Louisiana

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2019

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Louisiana State Treasurer

2017

2016

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

2019

Ballotpedia survey responses

2017

2016

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2024 Elections

2025 Elections

Analysis

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

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