James Edwards

James Edwards has served in the U.S. Army National Guard since 2003. Edwards earned a high school diploma from Turtle Creek High School. His career experience includes working as a military officer.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Jim Edwards was born and raised in North Braddock, PA, and moved to Homestead, PA, after marrying his wife, Gina, in 1993. After the birth of their two children, they moved to Munhall and have lived there for the past 26 years. Jim has served in the US Air Force. He worked in the medical field (Pathology) at various UPMC facilities, the dental field, the Mental Retardation field, and construction. Currently, he is an ordained minister in the Nazarene Denomination and a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, as the Deputy Assistant Commandant of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School. He is retiring soon and wants to continue serving the country and state that he loves. Jim Edwards strongly believes that elected officials should serve the people of their state or nation and do everything they can to lift government burdens on them so they can pursue life, liberty, and happiness.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I want to get rid of the property tax for all Pennsylvanians that are 65 and older. No person who has worked and paid taxes their whole life should not worry about losing their homes now that they are on a fixed income.I want to lower the gas tax on both the unleaded and diesel since we are the highest for diesel and second highest for unleaded in the whole United States. If the cost of gasoline surpasses $90 a barrel then a moratorium will be placed on gas tax until it goes below this price.Get rid of the inheritance tax. No one should have to worry how much they have to pay in taxed for something that their parents worked their whole life for and had already paid taxes on. Also, no emission testing throughout the whole state of Pennsylvania.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The two public policies that I am passionate about deal with the budget and government overreach of perceived medical pandemics or epidemics. I am a firm believer that government needs to be better stewards of the revenue they receive from taxes. This means that a balanced budget needs to be the goal and not spend more than the government takes in. The second is that people should be able to make decisions of their healthcare without the government mandating conditions in which they are to live their lives.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

The only person that I look up to and try my very best to live my life according to him is Jesus.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, Integrity, Compassion, and a knowledge that your job is to better the lives of your constituents.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Do not make a career out of it, everything that you do is to make life better for those you represent, and deliver on your campaign promises.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I delivered on my promises and that I truly cared about my fellow Pennsylvanian and American.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Paper boy for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Not taking time for me

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

It should be an amicable relationship for the betterment of all Pennsylvanians

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Bringing in good paying jobs for all Pennsylvanians

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Not in all cases but in the ones that have a mutual outcome and a positive one for the people you represent.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

LifePac and Firearm Owners Against Crime.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

Being the first person in my family to earn my commission as an officer in the Army.