I’m Edgar Afton (1914-2012), a Democrat who proudly served as a New Jersey Representative from 1947 to 2010. Over my 63-year career, I worked on key issues like labor rights, civil rights, environmental protection, and healthcare reform. I fought for workers' rights in the 1950s and 60s, supported civil rights legislation in the 60s, and later championed environmental regulations and healthcare access for low-income families and the elderly.

I was fortunate to have Lillian Rose Afton (née Jacobs) by my side; we married in 1941 and had three children: Edward, a lawyer and judge; Grace, a community organizer; and Lillian Jr., an educator. My wife was deeply involved in charitable work, supporting me throughout my political career. We were married for 55 years until her passing in 1996.

A dear friend and mentor was Warren Taylor Ellington, a fellow Democrat who served New Jersey. We shared many values and worked on various reforms together. His passing in 1971 was a personal and professional loss, but his principles continued to inspire me.

As a Democrat, I stood for social justice, labor rights, women’s rights, and later, LGBTQ rights. I considered myself a pragmatic but progressive voice for the working class. When I retired in 2010, I was proud of the legacy I left behind, but I knew it was time for younger generations to lead. I passed away in 2012 at the age of 98, grateful for a lifetime of service.