John Bel Edwards in 2019 LA Governor's race

On Budget & Economy: We paid off billions of deficit; and we shouldn't go back

A: We came together and did the hard work necessary by focusing on cuts & savings, supported by a Republican legislature. We now are running surpluses because the economy is performing better. Last year, we did cut, by $650 million, the sales tax burden. And the worst thing we can do as a state is go back to a structural budget deficit that we just came out of that we had for the better part of 10 years, where we're now making investments.

Q: The sales tax though is about half a cent higher than it was when you took office?

A: That's correct. Four years ago.

Q: So would you find a way to cut taxes in a different area?

A: We don't agree that we should cut taxes until we know that we won't go back into a structural budget deficit.

On Families & Children: Ban flavorings in e-cigarettes that target teens

Eddie RISPONE: I think that's like cigarettes in general, we should put the warning on those. [But no] executive order to do away with them.

Gov. EDWARDS: Well, the first thing we would do is sit down with the Secretary of Health look and see what the facts are. I am growing in my concern. It seems like every single day, they're more reported cases of young people who after only a short period of time of smoking these e-cigarettes, and the vaping, they're developing very serious, irreversible lung damage. So I have heard the President say that he is looking at banning the flavoring of the cigarettes, and I happen to think that that's probably a smart thing to do. I think that's why children are attracted in the first place. We will take action on it one way or another, to limit these e-cigarettes, especially the flavoring of it, in the legislative session coming up next year.

On Families & Children: People believe e-cigarettes are safer, but they're not

Eddie RISPONE: I'd do everything I could to discourage you from using e-cigarettes just like regular cigarettes; both of them are very harmful to their health.

Gov. John Bel EDWARDS: We know e-cigarettes deliver nicotine, I believe that smoking is harmful to your health. I don't believe that e-cigarettes are healthier--they're not a healthier alternative. And so I will do everything that I can to try to convince my children but also anyone out there to not smoke. And part of the problem is many people believe it is a safer alternative, when in fact it is not. And certainly the flavorings lend themselves to children being attractive, but I would tell them, please not to do that.

Rep. Ralph ABRAHAM: Look, an optic is worth 1000 words literally. I would show them a lung that has been damaged by e-cigarettes. I've seen them and it's impressive.

On Abortion: Signed one of country's most restrictive anti-abortion laws

Edwards said, "The pro-life ethos has to mean more than just the abortion issue. It's got to go beyond that. The job isn't over when the baby's born if you've got poor people who need access to health care."

On Crime: Reduce highest incarceration rate in the nation

In fact, Louisiana had the highest incarceration rate in the nation until this year, when it fell below Oklahoma's. Edwards explains how he shed that distinction by releasing some nonviolent offenders early and then reimagining the whole system. As a result, he says, "we were able to save 12 million dollars last fiscal year alone, and we're going to reinvest eight million of that into making sure that people are successful upon re-entry" into society. Edwards has also restarted the process of commuting sentences; as of October, he has approved 119 of the 164 pardons recommended by the state's Pardon Board during his term. (His predecessor, Bobby Jindal, had approved only 23 pardons during the same point in his first term.)

On Crime: No executions until better lethal drugs found

On Gun Control: We need to do a better job with our background checks

On Health Care: Pro-life includes helping the poor get access to health care

The man himself sees a common principle at work: "The idea of not doing the Medicaid expansion, I just couldn't reconcile that, because I am pro-life. And the pro-life ethos has to mean more than just the abortion issue. [Abortion] is fundamental, and I understand how important it is, but it's got to go beyond that. The job isn't over when the baby's born if you've got poor people who need access to health care."

On Homeland Security: West Point grad; served 8 years in US Army

On Principles & Values: Faith plays a central role in his life and work

The first thing he did in his victory speech [in November 2015] was thank God. "Our faith is important, and I know we're called to give thanks in all things," he tells me, explaining his remarks on election night. "So I did that, and it was heartfelt because I've now been given the opportunity to be the governor."

"The Catholic faith has been central to our family just as long as I can remember," he says. "I'm fortunate that my mother is still alive, and she still attends Mass just about every day." What he wants to hand on to his three children is not just a way of talking about the Catholic faith, but an example of how to live it. "Even when we're on vacation," his daughter said in a campaign commercial in 2015, her father "will find out where the Mass is, what time the Mass is."

On Principles & Values: Only Democratic governor in the Deep South

But despite his popularity, the poll shows a 2019 race between Republican U.S. Sen. John Kennedy or Republican New Orleans Congressman Steve Scalise would be neck and neck. Edwards posts a stronger showing against 5th District Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham. Kennedy and Abraham have both said they're considering challenging Edwards in 2019, while Scalise has shown no interest so far. The poll shows Edwards with a 45-44 lead over Kennedy, well within the margin of error, and a 46-43 lead over Scalise.