As the daughter of a country doctor who helped establish one of the first Planned Parenthoods in Vermont, and a mother who was a feminist and community leader, Edie was raised with the understanding that we have an obligation to serve those in need and to actively improve the quality of life in our communities. She has carried this understanding into her life’s work, in both the private and public sectors. A successful advocate for progressive candidates and causes, civic leader, and mother of two, she has focused her energy and experience on reproductive rights, climate action, affordable housing, access to quality education for all, and working to increase voter participation in the election process.
I unequivocally oppose the death penalty, and was proud to see Colorado abolish this practice in 2020 with SB 20-100. As a system, the death penalty has failed society by being imposed arbitrarily – disproportionately affecting the poor and people of color. The cost to the taxpayers is exorbitant for a system that is proven to have no deterrent effect. With so many individuals around the country being exonerated because of new evidence or procedural abuse at trial, there is no certainty that innocent people aren’t facing execution.​
I also oppose solitary confinement because of its proven detrimental effect on the mental health of the individual and the cumulative negative effect on our community. We are the only advanced nation in the world that continues to use solitary confinement as a behavior modification tool, and the evidence shows it to be a failure.