McPherson: Edwards for NH CD1

Until recently, the GOP Primary for New Hampshire's 1st District was looking bleak. Voters are being quite vocal. They want representatives in congress who will upset some apple carts, not preen and sentimentalize. A couple of people announced their candidacy, and I wasn't impressed. (Don't even get me started on the Democrats).

I was in familiar territory: Ignore the primary fight and hold my nose in November, or vote third party. Usually it's the latter.

Then a friend convinced me to have coffee with Eddie Edwards.

Edwards is a navy veteran, and graduate of the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He looks like a cop, but without the menace I first noticed in young male "state security" officers swaggering around Moscow in the early 1990s, and now typical of police officers throughout these United States. (I'm happy to report that the Portsmouth Police Department is mostly comprised of fine people).

His attitude guides his action, and is reflected in his method. As South Hampton's chief of police Edwards demanded integrity and public service from his officers. Concerned about the militarization of police departments and growing antagonism between citizens and police, he effectively lead the fight against these dangerous trends on behalf of New Hampshire residents. That kind of thinking could be useful in a constructive national discussion of police shootings in the United States.

The Division of Liquor Enforcement, under his leadership, became the first statewide law enforcement agency in New Hampshire to win Advanced National Law Enforcement Accreditation, and while there he urged reforms that would make the agency more business- and taxpayer-friendly. After putting that house in order he continued to serve the people, in the private sector helping business owners navigate stifling regulations and heartless, maddening bureaucracy.

The guy knows how to get things done.

The best part is, Edwards kept bringing our conversation back to the importance of government as servant, not master. He understands that liberty is a rare gift, to be jealously guarded.

I urge Republican and Independent voters in the 1st District who care about their freedom to vote for Eddie Edwards on September 11.