Ed Neilson is a state representative in State Assembly District 174. He was first elected in 2015 and his serving his 5th term. He serves as the chair of the House Transportation Committee. He is a former at-large Democratic member of the Philadelphia City Council in the state of Pennsylvania. He was elected to the council to serve a partial term in a special election in May 2014. He resigned in June 2015. Before becoming a member of city council, Neilson was a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing District 169 from 2012 to 2014.

Ed Neilson served as the director of government affairs and business development for Chartwell Law Offices in Philadelphia and formerly served as the deputy secretary of labor under the Rendell administration. He is a lifelong member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98.

Ed is married to his wife, Doris. They have 5 sons.