Edwards, John Reid (1953- )

US Democrat politician, vice-presidential candidate in 2004. A charismatic and populist campaigner, with particular appeal in the southern states and in rural and blue-collar areas, Edwards put in a strong challenge for the Democrat presidential nomination in 2004 and was selected by the party's eventual nominee, John Kerry, as his running-mate and candidate for the vice-presidency.

Originally a successful personal injury lawyer, Edwards moved into politics in 1997, not long after the death of his 16-year-old son in a car accident. After selling his law practice and investing US$6 million of his own funds, he defeated the Republican incumbent to become senator for North Carolina from 1999. In the Senate he rose to prominence in the proceedings that ended in President Bill Clinton's acquittal in the impeachment trial concerning the Monica Lewinsky affair.

Born in Seneca, South Carolina, into a blue-collar household, he was the first person in his family to attend university. He graduated in law from North Carolina State University and then specialized as a trial attorney who represented families and children wrongly injured by corporate negligence. In one case, he secured an award of US$25 million for a girl who was seriously injured by a defective pool drain. In Congress, Edwards's priorities have been improved healthcare and patient rights, and more investment in state schools.