Veteran, Former Cop Eddie Edwards Running To Continue Service

FIRST DISTRICT, NH -- New Hampshire First District voters on November 6 will decide between Republican Eddie Edwards and Democrat Chris Pappas to represent them in Congress. The pair are running to replace Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, a Rochester Democrat who is retiring. Edwards is from Dover; Pappas is from Manchester.

The First District includes the Patch communities of Portsmouth, Hampton, Exeter, Merrimack, Bedford and Londonderry. It covers the eastern part of the state, including its biggest city in Manchester.

Below is a profile of Edwards featuring personal information, his views on critical New Hampshire issues and key differences between his opponent. Patch asked the Edwards and Pappas campaigns to fill out these profiles and they have been edited sparingly.

• Learn more about the race: Historic NH Congress Race: Eddie Edwards Vs. Chris Pappas

Eddie Edwards Campaign Profile: New Hampshire First District Congress Race

Residence: Dover

Family: "I am blessed to be a father of two daughters, to be married to my wife Cindy,and to have two wonderful dogs, our Poodle named Zoe and English Bulldognamed Maximus."

Education: Bachelor of Business Administration-Northcentral University, Prescott Valley, AZ - 2014; Associate of Criminal Justice - New Hampshire Technical Institute, Concord, NH - 2004; Diploma of Management of Regulatory and Enforcement Agencies - Harvard University Kennedy Business School, Boston, MA – 2012; Diploma National FBI Academy, Quantico, VA - 2006

Previous job(s): "I am a U.S. Navy veteran, the former chief of police for the town of South Hampton, and the former Chief of New Hampshire State Division of Liquor Enforcement."

Previous elected office: None

What is the most important issue facing New Hampshire and how do you intend to address it?

"The most important issue facing New Hampshire is certainly the opioid epidemic. It is impacting families all across the state. As a former police chief, I have been on the front lines fighting to combat it, and I will continue to do so in Washington. In Congress, I’ll be tough on crime and will work to stop the drug dealers, but we also need to be compassionate to those afflicted and hold the pharmaceutical companies accountable for their actions."

What are the critical differences between yourself and your opponent?

"While my opponent is a career politician looking to climb up the next rung on the ladder of personal success, I am running for a different reason. He has been on the ballot 18 times, but as a U.S. Navy veteran, a former police chief, and a former law enforcement official, I have spent my life serving our state and nation. I am running for Congress to continue that sense of service. I hope to now be able to be a voice for our military veterans, to continue my fight against the opioid epidemic, and to ensure government gets out of the way so that our state’s small businesses can flourish."

What other issues define your campaign platform?

"As a U.S. Navy veteran, I know how important it is for us to stand up and fight for those men and women who have served our nation. They have put their lives on the line to protect us, and they deserve nothing but the utmost respect when they return home. Regrettably, for too long, many have been forgotten and countless more have not received the quality benefits they have earned. If I am honored to be their voice in Congress, I will fight every day to combat veteran homelessness and will be their advocate to improve their accessibility to quality healthcare here in the Granite State."

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence that you will excel if elected?

"Throughout my time in the military and in law enforcement, I have worked alongside men and women I agree with and those I disagree with. Service in those areas teaches you to put your difference aside to get the job done for the American people. That same mindset is critically necessary in Washington right now. We need more individuals who put service over self and sacrifice over self-promotion. We need leaders in Washington who are willing to fight for New Hampshire’s interests with other like-minded Members of Congress, regardless of political party. That bi-partisan patriotism is critically needed at this time in our nation’s history."

The best advice ever shared with me was...

"The best advice ever shared with me was from my grandmother. She taught me the American values of hard work, independence, and pride in our nation. She and the many other strong women in my life taught me to never give up and to fight for the values you hold dear. That advice has guided me throughout this campaign and will continue to do so if I am given the honor of representing NH-01 in Congress."

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

"If you elect me to Congress, I will:

• Cut taxes and work to reduce our debt and deficit
• Work to create good, high-paying jobs for New Hampshire
• Fight the opioid epidemic
• Reduce over-regulations and cut red tape
• Repeal and replace Obamacare
• Reduce college costs and address the student loan crisis
• Grow our trade schools and encourage Granite Staters to consider high-paying professions in the trades
• Strengthen national security
• Provide for our veterans
• Fight to protect our 2nd Amendment rights
• Finally fix our broken illegal immigration system"

Eddie Edwards campaign website

Photo credit: Eddie Edwards campaign