The son of a local coal miner, Eddie was born and raised in Nanticoke, learning the value of hard work, honesty, and integrity from a young age.
Eddie is a graduate of Wilkes University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and has a master's equivalency from Penn State University. He uses his 38 years of experience as a former music teacher and choral director at the Greater Nanticoke Area School District to push back against irresponsible and drastic state education funding cuts that adversely affect local property taxpayers and threaten the quality of public education.
As an educator, Eddie held several union positions with the Greater Nanticoke Area Education Association, serving as chief spokesperson, vice president, and eventually president. In addition to the local offices, he also served as PACE Director and Region Chairman for PSEA on the state level. A staunch supporter of community involvement, he has held leadership roles with the Luzerne County Coordinating Council, Luzerne County Legislative Committee, United Way of Wyoming Valley, and the Advocacy Fund for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (AF4GRG).
As House Representative for PA District 121, Eddie serves Bear Creek Township, Bear Creek Village, Buck Township, Laurel Run, Plains Township, Wilkes-Barre City, and Wilkes-Barre Township. He was first elected to represent the 121st Legislative District in 2006, and since then, Eddie has established himself as a passionate, consensus-building voice in the General Assembly. Eddie is working for the things our neighbors need, like property tax relief, jobs that pay a living wage, appropriate funding for public education, reducing the cost of higher education, access to affordable quality healthcare and more.
Eddie serves as the Democratic chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, a position held since 2017. He also currently serves as board member of the Center for Rural PA and the PA Hardwoods Development Council, as well as Chair of both the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and Legislative Sportsmen’s caucuses. Eddie also has previously served on the Insurance, State Government, Human Services, Aging, Gaming, and Commerce committees.
A tireless fighter for healthcare reform, Eddie led a task force of regional experts that developed recommendations to improve the healthcare system. He has introduced numerous bills to increase access to medical care, reduce costs to consumers, and improve outcomes.
Eddie has organized a package of legislation that has helped provide resources for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, as well as helped to pass the historic 2019 PA Farm Bill, which included his language supporting PA Preferred’s Homegrown for Heroes program, promoting Pennsylvania veterans who become farmers and producers.
Following the devastating floods of 2011, Eddie spearheaded a legislative package to help homeowners and small businesses recover and protect local jobs. He has been named "Legislator of the Year" by several organizations representing the best interests of Luzerne County residents and the people of Pennsylvania.
Music has always been an important part of Eddie's life. A popular local musician, entertainment manager, and promoter, Eddie performed throughout Luzerne County, most notably at Harvey's Lake with his bands Eddie Day and the Starfires and Eddie Day and TNT. A noted singer and band frontman in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Eddie still holds shows today.
Eddie is the proud father of 4 children with his late wife Millie, and grandfather to 7 wonderful grandchildren.