Jess Edwards

Jess Edwards served in the U.S. Army from 1976 to 2009 and reached the rank of lieutenant colonel. Edwards earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Texas Christian University in 1980, a master's degree in systems management from the University of Southern California, and a master's degree in computer science from the University of Southern California in 1987. His career experience includes working as a project manager with Mammoth Tech, an adjunct instructor with Southern New Hampshire University, and the director of privacy project management with Philips. Edwards has served on the Vital Records Privacy Board of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, the board of One Sky Community Services, and the Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery.[1][2]

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What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

Improving healthcare access, cost and quality in New Hampshire, Protecting rights and otherwise leaving people alone, Rejecting the Resistance

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Fiscal efficiency and effectiveness, healthcare improvement, protections of rights & separation of powers

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

Coach Tom Osborne who is also a former Congressman from Nebraska. He's a highly principled man who focused his energy on building better men for community leadership.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Preamble to the Constitution with emphasis on the portion stating, "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity".

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

Clear and consistent principles, transparency, accessibility, courage to do the right thing

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I strive to achieve Clear and consistent principles, transparency, accessibility, and the courage to do the right thing. I'm intelligent, well educated, have a diverse background, eclectic experiences, a sense of humor and am collegial. I put the time in to fulfill the role to the best of my abilities.

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

To secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I suffer no delusions of grandeur. If I achieve a legacy, it will be because my children live life well.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The assassination of JFK

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

My first W2 came from the University of Nebraska at age 15 from working in a research lab of the Department of Pharmacology. The Chair was an Iranian who always introduced himself as a Persian. He kept a large painting of the Shah of Iran in public view. When I asked him why, he said that the Shah had spies and that if he was thought to be disloyal, harm could come to his family. Despite Vietnam, that was the first time I became aware of evil loose in the world.

What happened on your most awkward date?

I'm a politics and college football nerd. All my dates are awkward as a result, and still are even though I've been married to an incredible person the past 37 years.

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

Christmas is pretty great watching kids share their hope and excitement for the gifts that will soon be theirs. Independence Day because I love our country.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Miracle in Philadelphia - Catherine Drinker Bowen. Her book exposes the reader to the humanity, tension, and times that brought people together to courageously create the greatest governmental document in history among all of mankind.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman. I read a lot of comic books as a kid.

What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?

My wife. She's been the guiding light in my life since meeting her on a blind date at 18 years of age.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Thunderstruck - AC/DC

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

I hate politics. I love policy. Unfortunately the politics is part of the process.

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

I'm laughing as I write this, they have staff to help them and we don't. Senators v. Representatives

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

I grew up in Nebraska so I'll say the "non-partisan" campaigning let's politicians hide how they'll vote and the Cornhusker state has a more liberal government than they would otherwise get.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Tons of things are beneficial experiences. A great mix of experiences is needed to make a good legislature. and legislator.

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

We face an enormous state employee pension liability and retiree health care liability while graying rapidly. Our kids are not being educated on what it is that makes the United States great. The focus appears to overemphasize where we want to improve.

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

Respect for Separation of Powers between two of the three co-equal branches

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Of course. Good legislation is a team sport.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I'm fine with the NH status quo. We've been doing it more than a couple hundred years.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

I have over 40 years of experience in healthcare which made me well qualified for the Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs committee

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

Everyone has the ability to lead whether it is formal or informal. I think I provided leadership in my freshman term.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I've been a fan of Newt Gingrich. He had a great sense of history and an open, inquisitive mind. He educated the public as much as he lead the House.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I'm not interested in fund-raising which is a requirement for higher office. So, no.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Most recently, I've been dealing with a married couple whose mom has had Alheimer's for about seven years. They discovered that someone had registered her to vote and helped her cast an absentee ballot in 2014 and 2016. Knowing their mother, they know that she lacked the capacity. So what happened? Who did it? How prevalent is it? It seems likely that a form of elder abuse is taking place.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

Improving healthcare access, cost and quality in New Hampshire, Protecting rights and otherwise leaving people alone, Rejecting the Resistance[8][9]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

Fiscal efficiency and effectiveness, healthcare improvement, protections of rights & separation of powersCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[9]

[the profile publisher] also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Jess Edwards answered the following:

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

Coach Tom Osborne who is also a former Congressman from Nebraska. He's a highly principled man who focused his energy on building better men for community leadership.[9]

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else that best describes your political philosophy?

The Preamble to the Constitution with emphasis on the portion stating, "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity".[9]

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

Clear and consistent principles, transparency, accessibility, courage to do the right thing[9]

What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful officeholder?

I strive to achieve Clear and consistent principles, transparency, accessibility, and the courage to do the right thing. I'm intelligent, well educated, have a diverse background, eclectic experiences, a sense of humor and am collegial. I put the time in to fulfill the role to the best of my abilities.[9]

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

To secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.[9]

What legacy would you like to leave?

I suffer no delusions of grandeur. If I achieve a legacy, it will be because my children live life well.[9]

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at that time?

The assassination of JFK[9]

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

My first W2 came from the University of Nebraska at age 15 from working in a research lab of the Department of Pharmacology. The Chair was an Iranian who always introduced himself as a Persian. He kept a large painting of the Shah of Iran in public view. When I asked him why, he said that the Shah had spies and that if he was thought to be disloyal, harm could come to his family. Despite Vietnam, that was the first time I became aware of evil loose in the world.[9]

What happened on your most awkward date?

I'm a politics and college football nerd. All my dates are awkward as a result, and still are even though I've been married to an incredible person the past 37 years.[9]

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

Christmas is pretty great watching kids share their hope and excitement for the gifts that will soon be theirs. Independence Day because I love our country.[9]

What is your favorite book? Why?

Miracle in Philadelphia - Catherine Drinker Bowen. Her book exposes the reader to the humanity, tension, and times that brought people together to courageously create the greatest governmental document in history among all of mankind.[9]

If you could be any fictional character, who would you be?

Superman. I read a lot of comic books as a kid.[9]

What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?

My wife. She's been the guiding light in my life since meeting her on a blind date at 18 years of age.[9]

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Thunderstruck - AC/DC[9]

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

I hate politics. I love policy. Unfortunately the politics is part of the process.[9]

(For non-Nebraska candidates) What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

I'm laughing as I write this, they have staff to help them and we don't. Senators v. Representatives[9]

(For Nebraska candidates) What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

I grew up in Nebraska so I'll say the "non-partisan" campaigning let's politicians hide how they'll vote and the Cornhusker state has a more liberal government than they would otherwise get.[9]

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Tons of things are beneficial experiences. A great mix of experiences is needed to make a good legislature. and legislator.[9]

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

We face an enormous state employee pension liability and retiree health care liability while graying rapidly. Our kids are not being educated on what it is that makes the United States great. The focus appears to overemphasize where we want to improve.[9]

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

Respect for Separation of Powers between two of the three co-equal branches[9]

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Of course. Good legislation is a team sport.[9]

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I'm fine with the NH status quo. We've been doing it more than a couple hundred years.[9]

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

I have over 40 years of experience in healthcare which made me well qualified for the Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs committee[9]

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

Everyone has the ability to lead whether it is formal or informal. I think I provided leadership in my freshman term.[9]

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I've been a fan of Newt Gingrich. He had a great sense of history and an open, inquisitive mind. He educated the public as much as he lead the House.[9]

Are you interested in running for a different political office in the future?

I'm not interested in fund-raising which is a requirement for higher office. So, no.[9]

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Most recently, I've been dealing with a married couple whose mom has had Alheimer's for about seven years. They discovered that someone had registered her to vote and helped her cast an absentee ballot in 2014 and 2016. Knowing their mother, they know that she lacked the capacity. So what happened? Who did it? How prevalent is it? It seems likely that a form of elder abuse is taking place.[9]