America’s Work Force Union Podcast welcomed Jay Edwards, Republican candidate for Ohio State Treasurer, who discussed his background and steadfast support for labor. As a former Ohio House representative hailing from Nelsonville, Ohio, Edwards has made a name for himself by defying party stereotypes and championing union issues. Edwards discussed his upbringing in southeast Ohio, his personal connection to the working class, his approach to labor relations and his vision for the office of the state Treasurer.
Edwards began by sharing a few formative experiences from his Appalachian upbringing, emphasizing the importance of family values and his early exposure to labor struggles. He said that while much of his family was longtime Democrats, he found himself drawn to the Republican Party due to events that altered his thinking in his hometown. Attending a union meeting at a power plant and witnessing outsiders protest Local Union jobs left a lasting impression on him, shaping his commitment to protecting good union employment and supporting working families.
Edwards then shifted the discussion to his hands-on engagement with labor groups. He recalled how his initial campaign for state representative brought him face-to-face with various Local Unions across his district. These encounters revealed that, despite political differences, he shared more in common with union members than with some of his party colleagues. He took the initiative to learn about prevailing wage, project labor agreements and so-called “Right-To-Work” legislation, eventually earning the respect and support of prominent labor leaders and organizations throughout Ohio.
As for his aspirations as State Treasurer, Edwards outlined the responsibilities of the position, which focus largely on investments for the state and safeguarding public funds. While the role offers limited direct influence over pension plans, he said he intends to use the treasurer’s office as a platform to speak out on behalf of Ohio’s working men and women. He vowed to remain vigilant against policies that undermine labor rights, pledging to call out attempts to weaken unions and to stand firmly with workers. Edwards insisted that economic progress in Ohio should be measured by the prosperity of working people, not just by numbers on a report.
For more from Edwards and his relationship with labor, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast above.