Erik Telford

Media Contact
media(at)commonwealthfoundation.org

Request an Interview Headshot

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

Kane Delay on Lottery Could Cost Taxpayers (Again)

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 12, 2013

The Patriot News reports that private lottery manager Camelot Global Services may not be willing to extend its bid beyond the current expiration date of Saturday. Attorney General Kathleen…

Media

Read More: Kane Delay on Lottery Could Cost Taxpayers (Again)

Regulation

Poll: Pennsylvania Voters Want Liquor Choice

  • February 12, 2013

The Commonwealth Foundation today released a new poll showing widespread support for ending the government-run monopoly over wine and liquor. The poll results and more information about proposals to…

Media

Read More: Poll: Pennsylvania Voters Want Liquor Choice

Regulation

Poll: Pennsylvanians Want End to Government Booze Sales

  • February 12, 2013

Contact: Jay Ostrich: 717-649-6547| jay@cfpolicy.com A strong majority of Pennsylvanians favor ending government sale of wine and liquor according to a comprehensive poll conducted by nationally-renown pollster, FM3, released…

Press Release

Read More: Poll: Pennsylvanians Want End to Government Booze Sales

PLCB Should Not Pass Go

  • February 11, 2013

Growing up in Pennsylvania, we enjoyed playing games over the holidays and none more than Monopoly.  The possibilities were endless, the rules clear and the objective simple - heck, it…

Commentary

Read More: PLCB Should Not Pass Go

State Budget

Transportation Plan Falls Short of Principles

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • February 11, 2013

We’ve received several requests for our assessment of Governor Corbett’s transportation proposal, in light of our principles for transportation funding. Here is our take. First, transportation is a…

Media

Read More: Transportation Plan Falls Short of Principles

Privatization Poll

  • February 11, 2013

A strong majority of Pennsylvanians favor ending government sale of wine and liquor according to a comprehensive poll conducted by nationally-renown pollster, FM3. The poll found more than 3 out…

Commentary

Read More: Privatization Poll

State Budget

Corbett’s Medicaid Decision Could Save Jobs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 11, 2013

The Affordable Care Act—often dubbed Obamacare—included 20 new taxes or tax increases. As these taxes are beginning to go into effect, businesses are starting to feel the impact, and…

Media

Read More: Corbett’s Medicaid Decision Could Save Jobs

Liquor Privatization: Just the Facts

  • February 9, 2013

In a recent Delaware County Times webcast on Pennsylvania liquor store privatization, on which I was a panelist, there was a great deal of information thrown into the mix which may have…

Commentary

Read More: Liquor Privatization: Just the Facts

Taxes & Economy

Welfare Traps Good People in Broken System

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 6, 2013

CBS 21’s Chris Papst presents a chilling story showing how easy it is for Pennsylvania families to get trapped in the welfare system. Investigators discovered a single mother of two making $20,000 in Pennsylvania can…

Media

Read More: Welfare Traps Good People in Broken System

State Budget

Standing with Taxpayers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 6, 2013

Most Pennsylvanians probably weren't aware – or don't care – that Governor Corbett delivered his 2013-14 budget proposal this week.  But they should!  Spending $20,900 per family of four, the…

Commentary

Read More: Standing with Taxpayers