Ed Stafman
{{short description|American politician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Ed Stafman
| birth_name = Edward Stafman
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1954}}
| party = Democratic
| birth_place = Key West, Florida, U.S.
| children = 2
| state_house = Montana
| district = 62nd
| term_start = January 4, 2021
| predecessor = Tom Woods
| education = Stony Brook University (BA)
Florida State University (MA, JD)
| residence = Bozeman, Montana, U.S.
}}
Edward "Ed" Stafman (born 1954) is an American politician, 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.{{Cite web|title=Ed Stafman|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Ed_Stafman|access-date=2021-05-04|website=Ballotpedia|language=en}}
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.{{Cite news|last=Cooper|first=Michael|date=2000-12-07|title=CONTESTING THE VOTE: THE ABSENTEE BALLOTS; With 24,000 Votes at Stake, Dual Trials Open on Incomplete Ballot Applications|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/07/us/contesting-vote-absentee-ballots-with-24000-votes-stake-dual-trials-open.html|access-date=2021-05-04|issn=0362-4331}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Kampeas|first=Ron|title=A civil rights lawyer-turned-rabbi cites Jewish law in Montana State Legislature|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-civil-rights-lawyer-turned-rabbi-cites-jewish-law-in-montana-state-legislature/|access-date=2021-05-04|website=www.timesofisrael.com|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-23|title=Montana House committee tables bill to abolish death penalty|url=https://apnews.com/article/legislature-bills-montana-bozeman-crime-c91fc833e84b25a11efacb8cbfb49fb1|access-date=2021-05-04|website=AP NEWS}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Montana House of Representatives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stafman, Ed}}
Category:Politicians from Key West, Florida
Category:Stony Brook University alumni
Category:Florida State University alumni
Category:Florida State University College of Law alumni
Category:Politicians from Tallahassee, Florida
Category:Democratic Party members of the Montana House of Representatives
Category:People from Bozeman, Montana
Category:21st-century American rabbis