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.” 

5 Reasons Why the Emergency Powers Amendments Are Needed

  • Michael Torres
  • May 4, 2021

May 4, 2021, Harrisburg, Pa. — Today, members of the Wolf administration held press conferences addressing the emergency powers constitutional amendments on the May primary ballot and Gov. Wolf announced…

Press Release

Read More: 5 Reasons Why the Emergency Powers Amendments Are Needed

State Budget

Clear the Red Tape to Rebuild a Stronger Pennsylvania

  • Tirzah Duren
  • April 27, 2021

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Wolf repealed regulations to allow our healthcare sector to respond to the evolving crisis. Nonmedical regulatory restrictions—such as permitting cocktails to-go—were also…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Clear the Red Tape to Rebuild a Stronger Pennsylvania

Op-Ed: School Closures Highlight The Need For Parental Choice

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • April 22, 2021

More affluent families have always had options — they can afford private schools or tutors as needed. Indeed, nothing illustrates the need for equity through school choice options more than…

Commentary

Read More: Op-Ed: School Closures Highlight The Need For Parental Choice

PA’s Economic Recovery Falling Behind

  • Michael Torres
  • April 19, 2021

April 19, 2021, Harrisburg, Pa. — Key economic indicators show that Pennsylvania is falling behind in its effort to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. While our unemployment rate remains unacceptably high…

Press Release

Read More: PA’s Economic Recovery Falling Behind

Op-Ed: All or Nothing at All

  • Charles F. McElwee
  • April 15, 2021

Russell Shorto explores his family roots, the small-town mafia, and a unique period in postwar America.

Commentary

Read More: Op-Ed: All or Nothing at All

Op-Ed: Fight Against PA Guv’s Powers Reflects Bipartisan Trend

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 15, 2021

The Pennsylvania General Assembly’s efforts to restrict Wolf’s emergency declaration – renewed four times – has reached its endgame in the form of two constitutional amendments in a statewide voter…

Commentary

Read More: Op-Ed: Fight Against PA Guv’s Powers Reflects Bipartisan Trend

Education

The Truth About Education Spending in Pennsylvania

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • April 14, 2021

Ben Franklin once said, “in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” If he lived in Pennsylvania today, he might have an addition to his list: claims of…

Backgrounder

Read More: The Truth About Education Spending in Pennsylvania

Op-Ed: Society of Woke

  • Michael Torres
  • April 8, 2021

In Greater Philadelphia, Quaker schools betray their historical values.

Commentary

Read More: Op-Ed: Society of Woke