Ed Stafman

Ed Stafman
Member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 62nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 4, 2021
Preceded by	Tom Woods
Personal details
Born	Edward Stafman 1954 (age 69–70) Key West, Florida, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Children	2
Residence(s)	Bozeman, Montana, U.S.
Education	Stony Brook University (BA) Florida State University (MA, JD)

Edward "Ed" Stafman (born 1954) is an American attorney, rabbi, and former attorney serving as a member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 62nd district. Elected in November 2020, he assumed office on January 4, 2021.

Early life and education

Stafman was born in Key West, Florida. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stony Brook University, a Master of Arts from Florida State University, and a Juris Doctor from the Florida State University College of Law.^[1]

Career

Prior to entering politics, Stafman worked as a civil rights attorney in Tallahassee, Florida. During his legal career, Stafman specialized in death penalty cases. In 2000, Stafman was one of several lawyers who worked on Bush v. Gore litigation.^[2] Stafman was later ordained as a rabbi and moved to Bozeman, Montana with his wife and two children. He has since been affiliated with T'ruah.^[3] Stafman was elected to the Montana House of Representatives in November 2020 and assumed office on January 4, 2021. During his tenure in the House, Stafman has sponsored legislation to abolish the death penalty in Montana.^[4]

References

1. "Ed Stafman". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
2. Cooper, Michael (December 7, 2000). "CONTESTING THE VOTE: THE ABSENTEE BALLOTS; With 24,000 Votes at Stake, Dual Trials Open on Incomplete Ballot Applications". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
3. Kampeas, Ron. "A civil rights lawyer-turned-rabbi cites Jewish law in Montana State Legislature". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
4. "Montana House committee tables bill to abolish death penalty". AP NEWS. February 23, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.