QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC:

1) Why are you running for Essex County sheriff?

In late March 2021, I was presented with an unexpected opportunity to run for elective office in Essex County. After ten years of working toward improving governance and civic engagement in my hometown of Montclair, in Essex County and in Northern New Jersey, I seized the opportunity and chose the Essex County Sheriff office. As a county sheriff is a Constitutional officer, the position offers the greatest opportunity to continue my efforts to make sure our local government and citizens most fully embrace and enjoy American Constitutional limits, liberties and responsibilities.

2) What makes you more qualified than the other candidates for the job? I’d stress ‘differently qualified’ rather than ‘more qualified.’ I seek to bring a woman’s touch for improving & sustaining healthy civic culture to Essex County through the office of the county sheriff. These would include using the position to express and encourage respect and respectful behavior (R), firearms safety and skill (F), and deputizing (D), in a sense, each citizen of Essex County to self-govern themselves and their families for a dramatically-strengthened social fabric. On the subject of firearms training, I am an NRA Certified Rifle Instructor and educate people in the shooting sports. In the other areas, I have worked professionally and as a volunteer in educating children and adults in good citizenship through the Boy Scouts of America, Rotary International, the Montclair Republican Club and Essex County NJ Republican Women. Remember my message by thinking of the TV character Sheriff Andy Taylor (Griffith) and the spinoff show ‘Mayberry R.F.D.’ – Respect, Firearms Safety & Training, Deputy Sheriffs….R, F, D.

3) What changes do you plan to make if you are elected? If elected, I would extend the good work of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department and message our nearly 1 million citizens on sound personal, civic and community behavior; add firearms safety and skill education opportunities for children and adults; and lead educational initiatives focusing on our American Constitutional rights and responsibilities. My goal is to have safer county parks, roads and systems without having to add further regulations, costs and restraints on our citizenry as individuals become more self-policing, in effect.

4) Do you have law enforcement experience?

While I don’t have law enforcement experience, I do have tremendous respect for our Essex County Sheriff’s Department and its professionalism. My experience in various industries includes managing up to 1,000 people, recognizing talent, organizational efficiency, strategy and performance, and enforcing policies and procedures.

Thank you for letting me share my perspectives with you through the opportunity of running for Essex County Sheriff. Independent and Republican voters should vote Maureen Edelson for Essex County Sheriff on June 8, 2021. For more information, email info@maureenedelson.com.