Erik Telford

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Erik Telford

Senior Vice President of Public Affairs

Erik Telford is the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the Commonwealth Foundation.

Erik is a senior public affairs and communications executive with more than 15 years of diverse experience across public policy, advocacy, and public affairs institutions. Before joining the Commonwealth Foundation, Erik served as the senior vice president at Stand Together Communications, the Koch network’s marketing and communications capability. Erik has also served as the president of the Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity, a state-based watchdog journalism organization. And at Americans for Prosperity, he was the executive director of RightOnline (an initiative he founded) and the director of membership and online strategy. He is currently on the board of the American Commitment Foundation.

In 2013, Campaigns & Elections Magazine honored Erik as an “Advocacy Innovator” and in 2011 as a “Rising Star in American Politics.”  Politics Online named him one of the “Top 10 Who Are Changing the World of Internet and Politics.” 

Regulation

Fact Check, Please! Anti-Liquor Privatization Study Falls Short

  • Bruce Cornibe
  • March 12, 2014

As several states (Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Oregon) look to rid themselves of antiquated government-run liquor systems, the defenders of state-control status quo are fighting back harder than ever.  And some…

Media

Read More: Fact Check, Please! Anti-Liquor Privatization Study Falls Short

Government Accountability

State House to Tackle Union Violence

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 11, 2014

Federal charges of racketeering and arson against several Philadelphia union members, who called themselves The Helpful Union Guys (or T.H.U.G.s) has renewed interest in closing a loophole in…

Media

Read More: State House to Tackle Union Violence

Public Union Democracy

Union Dues Still Fund Politics & Union Members Don’t Like It

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 4, 2014

Last night, I spoke with ABC 27 about polling that shows the vast majority of union household support ending taxpayer collection of union political money. See the video…

Media

Read More: Union Dues Still Fund Politics & Union Members Don’t Like It

Education

The $1 Billion Lie Exposed

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 4, 2014

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) took out full-page, color ads in several major state newspapers last week proclaiming Gov. Corbett “closed neighborhood schools” and laid off teachers in Philadelphia…

Media

Read More: The $1 Billion Lie Exposed

Public Union Democracy

CF Calls Out Union Ad Campaign’s Deceptions

  • March 4, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 National Teachers’ Union Fibs in Political Attack Ad Uses taxpayer resources to do it March 4, 2014, HARRISBURG, PA—Today,…

Press Release

Read More: CF Calls Out Union Ad Campaign’s Deceptions