My name is Ed Rodriguez, and I live on Christine Street here in Elizabeth, the city where I’ve spent most of my life. I'm running for the NJ State Assembly because I believe that in moments like these—when so much is on the line—we don’t have the luxury of waiting for someone else to step up. We need leaders who are ready to meet this moment head-on, with urgency, conviction, and a willingness to fight for the people they serve.

My story begins in the kitchen of the Madrid Restaurant on New Point Road, where my parents poured everything into their family business. I’d bus tables and help in the kitchen, learning the value of hard work as part of a family effort that shaped my upbringing. I went on to earn my degree in Economics from Rutgers University, but those early lessons stayed with me: nothing worth having comes without effort, and progress is only possible when people roll up their sleeves and get to work.

My younger brother, Jose, is not just my sibling but my closest confidant. Despite the 18-month age difference, our relationship has always been more about friendship than rivalry. Watching my sons, Eddie and Joey, now 12 and 10, share a similar bond brings me immense joy. There’s an unexplainable magic in witnessing those everyday moments between brothers that will eventually become cherished memories.

Language has also played a crucial role in shaping my journey. Spanish was the heartbeat of our home—spoken at the dinner table, at the restaurant, and during family road trips. English was the language of school and sports. Yet, for years, I struggled with a challenging stutter that left me feeling, at times, as though I couldn’t fully express myself in either language. Overcoming that obstacle became a defining moment in my life. Once I found my voice, I promised myself I would use it to speak up for others.

Though I’m not a politician by trade, I have a deep history in public service—because public service, when done right, is about cutting through the noise, solving problems, and getting things done. I served as the Director of Planning & Community Development for the City of Elizabeth for over ten years. During my tenure, I created a program to address vacant and abandoned properties, reducing the number of abandoned properties from 487 to just 9 and led the development of over 400 affordable housing units and a million square feet of warehouse. I modernized operations by digitizing all property records and created online permitting. I also had the pleasure of working with and funding hundreds of local nonprofits through the CDBG program —all to ensure that every city project delivered real value to our community.

Through these experiences, I’ve come to understand the profound difference between "cost" and "value." Cost is what you pay; value is what you gain. And in public service, when done right, value always outweighs cost.

The Assembly’s role is to take on big, statewide challenges, and I’m ready to do just that. We need stronger tenant protections, expanded healthcare access, and increased funding for our school districts. But in order to achieve that, we need leaders who will act with the urgency this moment demands. We cannot afford the politics of hesitation—not when our democracy, our rights, and our communities are on the line.