[2] He was appointed by the Springfield City Council on December 28, 2010, to the vacancy caused by the death of Mayor Tim Davlin.

Edwards served in the Illinois Air National Guard while in college and attained the rank of Sergeant, before earning an honorable discharge in 1975.

Through the local park district, he also taught physical education and swimming at Springfield Southeast High School.

In addition to municipal government, Edwards also briefly sought the Republican nomination for Governor of Illinois in 2009, but withdrew before the primary election.

[7][8] Edwards' wife, Cinda, was also an elected official, serving as a Trustee of the Illinois Community College Board and Coroner of Sangamon County.