Edwards: Message of optimism, hard work, liberty resonating with young people

CD-1 candidate Eddie Edwards says he's looking forward to getting his message out to young people across his district, which includes the Manchester area, the Seacoast and the Lakes Region. (Courtesy photos/Eddie Edwards)

When it comes to connecting to young people, Congressional District I candidate Eddie Edwards says having two daughters in their 20s is a good place to start.

"I talk with them and their friends all the time," said Edwards. "I respect young people and believe we have to inform them of our history, the history of the Republican party and the legacy of our party and our country. If we do that it then begins to resonate."

In a veiled reference to a leftist-leaning media, Edwards, a Republican, said a lot of young people are getting their information "from a bad lens."

Eddie Edwards, CD-1 candidate

But he said young people are "happy to listen, and open to new information."

"I've visited some high schools and colleges and I enjoy telling them about things I've overcome," he told The Rochester Voice earlier this week. "I tell them how I mowed lawns to buy school clothes."

He also had to overcome a home in which domestic violence was a routine thing at the hand of an abusive father.

Edwards says his lifelong love of law enforcement was cemented in his belief that police answering his mom's call for help protected her from an aggressive husband.

A former South Hampton police chief and former chief of the state's Liquor Enforcement division, he preaches self reliance and liberty instead of big government's culture of dependency and entitlement.

"I didn't' grow up in a community like that," he said. "I grew up knowing that if you work hard, you're honest, good things will happen to you."

Now as Edwards is looking forward to a November matchup against Democrat Chris Pappas, he said he is going anywhere he can to talk to Granite State voters about the choice that lies ahead.

"I am going door to door, to family events, fairs, town halls, places where you find people interested in what is going on in this country and the state of New Hampshire," he said.

Edwards said that with President Trump's leadership the country is enjoying prosperity like it hasn't seen in decades, and that is the big story.

"We have record low unemployment, wage increases, and a new spirit of patriotism; it's all very positive," he said.

When he looks at a Democratic Party populated more and more with a leftist agenda, he says, "You have two choices. Do you want more family or do you want more government?
"This nation was built on families, not government. The federal government has a lot of intrusion, and our founders wanted to restrain the federal government. My goal as Congressional District 1 rep will be to restrain the federal government and taxes and keep those dollars in our state."

Edwards said other planks of his platform include protecting social security, taking care of our veterans and keeping taxes down which puts more cash in the hands of the people instead of the government.

He said Republicans may have more at stake than ever before and that he is reaching out to Independents to help him over the top.

"Our goal is to unite our party like never before and give Independents a real reason to vote our way, too," he said.

When it comes to President Trump, Edwards is an unabashed backer.

"I support our president," he said. "What I say to people is you want someone who can get things accomplished. His policies have benefited our state and our nation.

"But when there is something wrong, I 'll fight for our district, I'll stand up for what's right."