Slate's Bizbox



ballot box: Politics and policy.

Profile: John Edwards


This week, Slate begins a series of short features explaining who the 2004 presidential candidates are, what they've said and done, and where they propose to take the country. The first installment summarizes each candidate's personal and professional background. Today's subject is John Edwards.

John Edwards

Johnny Reid Edwards

Web site: www.johnedwards2004.com.

Age: 49 (born June 10, 1953).

Highest grade completed: Law school (1977).

Political experience: U.S. senator, North Carolina (1999-present).

Asserted achievements: Co-authored Patients' Bill of Rights; wrote bioterrorism and port security measures that were passed by the Senate.

Previous jobs: Lawyer in private practice (1978-1998).

Spouse: Elizabeth Edwards.

Children: College-aged daughter, toddler daughter, toddler son. Fourth child, a boy, died in a 1996 car accident at age 16.

Previous marriages: None.

Military history: None. Didn't turn 18 until June 1971.

Medical history: None reported.

Parents' jobs: Father worked in a textile mill, eventually becoming a supervisor. Mother operated a small business and later worked in a post office.

Net worth: $8.7 million-$36.5 million.

Religion: Methodist.

Campaign song: "Small Town" (John Mellencamp).

Print This ArticlePRINTDiscuss this in The FrayDISCUSSEmail to a FriendE-MAIL
Share on FacebookPost to MySpace!Share with MixxDigg ThisShare with RedditShare with del.icio.usShare with FurlShare with Ma.gnolia.comShare with SphereShare with Stumble Upon
William Saletan is Slate's national correspondent and author of Bearing Right: How Conservatives Won the Abortion War. Avi Zenilman is a former Slate intern.
Photograph of John Edwards by Ellen Ozier/Reuters.
Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum
What did you think of this article?
POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES




Washington Post
The Washington Post
OPINIONS
Topic A: Obama's Speech
| Pundits and diplomats respond.
Robinson: Sunshine in BerlinToles: The World ?'s ObamaTelnaes: Meanwhile, McCain