CT Patch Candidate Profile: Ed Edelson For State Rep

SOUTHBURY, CT — Election Day on Nov. 5 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the towns, cities and state.

Candidate’s Name: Ed Edelson

What office are you seeking? State Representative - 69th Legislative District

District: 69th State Legislature

Campaign website

What city or town do you live in? Southbury

Party affiliation: Democrat

Education: BS from Cornell University School of Engineering('75), MPA from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government ('81)

Occupation: Employed for 24 years by ExxonMobil Corporation (General Manager of Bermuda, International Data Warehouse Team Manager, Public Affairs Manager for Exxon Latin America, Corporate Planning Analyst), California Institute of Technology (Energy and Environmental Policy Analyst), Battelle Memorial Institute (Energy and Environmental Policy Analyst), Owner and Operator of Cornucopia at Oldfield Bed and Breakfast

Family: Married 54 years, 3 children: Justin (49), Megan (47) and Sarah (43). 6 grandchildren.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

First Selectman of Southbury (2011- 2015), Commissioner appointed by Governor to CT Siting Council (2017 - 2022)

Age: 75

Why are you seeking this office?

Provide an effective voice to the citizens of the 69th District who knows the leadership in Hartford (resolve congestion on I-84 west of Exit 16), finish work that was started before I left office in 2015 (Southbury Farmlands, Southbury Training School, repurpose STS Personnel Village)

What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?

Maintain Fiscal Guardrails even if it requires some update/tweaking. As laid out in my position paper on this topic on my website, the current surplus created over the past years will require some re-balancing of the portfolio between paying down debt, supporting education and safety net programs and lowering future taxes. As a Democrat, I will be part of the important negotiations between Urban and Rural Democrats. Given the ever shrinking Republican party, they are no longer a player.

There have been an alarming number of deaths on Connecticut's roadways. Is there anything from a legislative standpoint that can be done to address that?

My reading shows the speed cameras on roads has proven effective. Convincing citizens that the benefit is worth it will be difficult but I think we are near a tipping point. Current methods of enforcement (Highway Patrol) are ineffective and dangerous.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have more extensive and more diverse experience that can be brought to bear on new topics that confront the legislature. I have tangible accomplishments like securing funding for large infrastructure projects in Southbury or putting Southbury Training School's abandoned farmlands (1,000 acres) back into production. My endorsements demonstrate my working relationships with the leadership in Hartford and DC.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

At ExxonMobil I negotiated the introduction of low-sulfur diesel fuel to Bermuda by bringing my competitors and Government together. Wrote an award winning children's historical fiction book about Southbury that has been used throughout CT to discuss topics like bullying. As First Selectman, I took lead in putting 1,000 acres of abandoned State Prime farmland back into production. As a retired Commissioner of Connecticut Siting Council I wrote the first opinion piece about the work of the council which was printed in newspapers across the State (shows my willingness/ability to communicate to the public).

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Please compare the depth of material on my campaign website to my opponent. We need leaders who know how to create solutions not someone with hackneyed slogans.