Edwards earns award for restrictive abortion laws

Gov. John Bel Edwards, whose staunch anti-abortion rights view helped him become the South's only Democratic governor, was recognized Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention for signing laws that could make Louisiana the most restrictive state for abortion access.

Edwards was presented the Governor Casey Whole Life Leadership Award from the Democrats for Life of America during a reception at the convention in Philadelphia.

"We must reach out to the many pro-life Democrats in our party and include these voters in our platform," Edwards, who is Catholic, said in a statement. "Life should be respected at every stage."

Louisiana is ranked No. 3 on the Americans United for Life 2016 Life List and could move to No. 1 after new laws passed last spring.

Among them: a 72-hour waiting period for abortions; restrictions on who can perform elective abortions by changing qualifications of physicians; prohibition of dilation and evacuation abortions; and prohibition of entities that perform abortions from receiving public funding for any purpose, which many believe targeted Planned Parenthood's new facility in New Orleans.

Louisiana is ranked No. 3 on the Americans United for Life 2016 Life List and could climb up the list after the package of this year's new laws.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1