EDUCATION
Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Bachelor of Science, 1996-1998
University of Charleston, Charleston, Master's of Science, 2002-2004
Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Doctorate of Education, 2020-2026

AFFILIATIONS
Lincoln Place Church of the Nazarene, Associate Pastor, 2020-2026

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
N/A

Jim Edwards earned a Bachelor of Science from Geneva College and a Master of Science from the University of Charleston. He is listed as an associate pastor at Lincoln Place Church of the Nazarene.

Jim Edwards - State Representative, District 35 - iVoterGuide

Jim Edwards earned a bachelor's degree from Geneva College and a master's degree from the University of Charleston. He is listed as an associate pastor at Lincoln Place Church of the Nazarene.

QUALIFICATIONS: I have managed pathology departments throughout the state for 20 years. I have been an officer in the US Army for 25 years serving in various positions such as Commander, Operations Officer, and Executive Officer. I have worked in the National Guard Coordination Center during natural disaster.

Professional Experience
US Air Force
US Army, Lieutenant Colonel

Professional Experience
US Air Force
US Army, Lieutenant Colonel

Election Information

Jim Edwards has managed pathology departments throughout Pennsylvania. He has served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army for 25 years and has professional experience with the U.S. Air Force.

Pennsylvania State Representative District 35 - VOTE411.org

Jim Edwards | BallotReady

2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing residents of your district, and how would you address them?
The biggest issue is the ability to keep as much of your paycheck as possible. I would put forth bills that would reduce the tax burden of everyone to include gas tax, inheritance tax, property tax, and other areas like no emission test.

What are your thoughts on the state budget process? What changes, if any, would you support so that the budget is enacted in a timely manner?
The budget must reduce the tax burden and needs to be balanced every year. All congressmen should not receive a paycheck if there is any type of government shutdown.

Proposes reducing gas, inheritance, property, and other taxes.

Says the state budget should reduce taxes and be balanced annually.

- Proposes reducing gas, inheritance, property, and other taxes.
- Says the state budget should reduce taxes and be balanced annually.

Economy

HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare:
C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.

NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Supports keeping Medicaid and Medicare available while opposing other taxpayer-funded healthcare programs.

- Supports keeping Medicaid and Medicare available while opposing other taxpayer-funded healthcare programs.

Healthcare

EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Agree

VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.

Supports eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and returning education control to states and communities.

- Supports eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and returning education control to states and communities.

Education

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Disagree

ABOUT YOU

Should the state legislature enact laws concerning the impacts on water, energy, or land use from the development and operation of data centers? Would state regulation of data center development and operation interfere with the authority of municipalities to establish ordinances under the MPC (Municipal Planning Code)?
There should be oversight of these industries to ensure that there is no hazardous waste being emitted into the waterways or into the ground. All data centers should be self sufficient as it pertains to energy so they are not a burden on the municipality's grid.

Disagrees with the view that man-made climate change is a global threat requiring urgent political action.

Supports oversight of data centers to prevent hazardous waste from entering waterways or the ground.

Says data centers should be energy self-sufficient rather than burden municipal electric grids.

- Disagrees with the view that man-made climate change is a global threat requiring urgent political action.
- Supports oversight of data centers to prevent hazardous waste from entering waterways or the ground.
- Says data centers should be energy self-sufficient rather than burden municipal electric grids.

Energy & the Environment

CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
To place the victim first and to make the criminal never want to commit a crime again, which means prison should be a deterrent to crime.

2ND AMENDMENT

Says criminal justice should prioritize victims and use prison as a deterrent to crime.

- Says criminal justice should prioritize victims and use prison as a deterrent to crime.

Public Safety

What changes, if any, would you support to enable better access, ensure security, and support the processes of our elections?
Annually a bipartisan team will review all voter registration to ensure they are up to date and accurate. All registered voters must show ID before being allowed to cast their ballot.

Supports annual bipartisan reviews of voter registration records to keep them current and accurate.

Supports requiring registered voters to show identification before casting a ballot.

- Supports annual bipartisan reviews of voter registration records to keep them current and accurate.
- Supports requiring registered voters to show identification before casting a ballot.

Voting & Elections

Facebook

Jim Edwards

Supports four-term limits for House members and two-term limits for senators.

LinkedIn

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
Have a balanced budget amendment
Make each construction contract accountable for their results.
Term limits for House of Representative to 4 terms and Senate to 2 terms
No pay raised for elected officials
Ban any lobbying

Dan Goughnour

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws, including introducing tax bills. 
- State representatives and their staff respond to constituent concerns and questions through emails, phone calls, and website announcements. 
- State representatives oversee the executive branch and can vote to overrule a veto by the Governor.  
- They are elected to two-year terms and have a salary of $106,000, with a 1-3% annual increase

Your representative and state lawmaker in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives