2014 Election Guide

Bob Beauprez

Declined our Interview Request

Despite numerous attempts to speak with the congressman, Beauprez’s people didn’t get back to us. Maybe he’s too busy combating the backlash after he called IUD contraceptive methods “an abortifacient.” His website states, “Bob served as Chairman of the Colorado Republican Party from 1999-2002. In 2002, Bob was elected as the first representative from Colorado’s seventh congressional district, and was re-elected in 2004. While in Congress, he served on the Ways & Means, Transportation, and Veterans Committees. He was the Republican nominee for Governor in 2006.”

Matt Hess

Hess believes that “Our state should be restored to a full republic.” He also believes that you have the right to live your life the way you want to, so there is that.

Cory Gardner

Declined our Interview Request

According to Garner’s website, “Cory has always been a strong voice for rural families and small business. He has earned a reputation for fighting onerous government regulations that hurt farmers and hinder job growth. After growing up in the arid west, Cory has also become a leading voice in the campaign to build more water storage to support our growing communities and the nation’s agricultural industry.”

Gaylon Kent

“I talk liberty a lot,” says Kent on his website. “Every American citizen should, really. We are a nation conceived in liberty, liberty is the fundamental issue of our republic and liberty should be at the forefront of our minds as we vote this November.”

George Leing

Leing has been a businessman for over 30 years, and he’s desperate to end the partisanship that is stopping anything getting done in Washington. “Blame, blame, blame,” he says. “I think people are sick of it and want to make some progress. Historically, we’ve been able to put differences behind us and still make progress. If both sides get 60 percent of what they want, that’s better than zero.”

Leing’s describes himself as fiscally conservative but socially moderate. “It’s consistent with what I think the role of government should be,” he says. “This world we live in of soundbites – people have pre-conceived notions about both parties and the truth is somewhere in the middle. I’ve had people come up to me, as a minority, and say that all Republicans are racist. Really? You’re saying this to me?”

Ken Buck

Declined Our Interview Request

Buck’s website states, “As a candidate for the U.S. Congress, Ken calls for a return to conservative principles to rein in the government, cut the massive spending, and pass a constitutional balanced budget amendment.”

Mike Coffman

Declined Our Interview Request

Coffman’s website states, “Coffman is the only veteran in the Colorado delegation and the only Member of Congress to have served in both Iraq Wars. Congressman Coffman represents the 6th Congressional District of Colorado and serves on the Armed Services Committee, the Veteran’s Affairs Committee where he is the Chairman for the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and on the House Committee on Small Business.”

Douglas “Dayhorse” Campbell

Declined Our Interview Request

Campbell says that the top challenges facing Colorado are cost control and affordability. And his nickname is Dayhorse.

Ed Perlmutter

Declined Our Interview Request

Perlmutter’s website states, “In 1994, Ed was elected to the Colorado State Senate as the first Democrat to hold the seat in nearly 30 years. He served two terms and garnered the reputation as a bipartisan bridge-builder and a champion of renewable energy and smart growth policies.”

Don Ytterberg

Declined Our Interview Request

Ytterberg runs a metal finishing company in Arvada. “In the 1990s, I began work as the Lockheed Martin small business liaison to the EPA,” he says. “The regulatory pressure on small businesses was very high then, and we asked at that time for regulatory participation with the EPA so that the regulations could be rolled out in a way that industry could respond. I learned that we could make a difference if we tried.” With a desire to closely examine the way that the federal government spends money, Ytterberg was attracted to the Republicans because, “I think that Republicans believe in the free enterprise system, they believe in a constitutional application of the law, and they believe that people are individually very capable and the government.”

Amanda Campbell

Campbell has been involved with politics for as long as she can remember thanks to her dad. She was drawn to the ACP because, “I agree with most of its standings, especially the pro-life platform. Also, the right to bear arms and to uphold the constitution. I agree with most of what the constitution of the United States says. That’s what our platform is designed after.”

That’s all fine and dandy, but how does she feel about some of the party’s more controversial platforms, like the wish to repeal laws that make it illegal to use force against women seeking abortion? “That’s something I would not support myself 100 percent,” she says. “But I support any pro life issues. I believe that a baby’s a baby from week one of conception. I would be behind the definition of that as an amendment on the ballot.”

Wayne W. Williams

Williams served for ten years on the Colorado Springs housing authority, which provides low income housing and meals for the elderly. “I first ran for office in 2002, and I was elected county commissioner in 2002 and held that for 8 years,” he says. “Four years ago I was elected El Passa county clerk.”

Ultimately, Williams says that he’s a Republican because, “I believe in people and that individuals can make better decisions. I trust people.”

Asked whether he thinks all people are in an equal position to make those decisions, Williams said that, “There are certainly folks within the population who need a little more assistance. That’s why in the last ten years on the Colorado Springs Housing Authority, I’ve been helping individuals who might have special needs. To help people move from poverty by providing them with the tools hey need to move to the next level.”

David Schambach

Schambach says that, “I am accessible and open to new ideas. I don’t claim to ‘have all the answers,’ but I am approachable and an active listener,” which is nice.

Walker Stapleton

Declined Our Interview Request

Stapleton’s website states, “During his tenure as Treasurer, Walker and his investment team have protected taxpayers’ money, ensuring that for every quarter he has served as Treasurer Colorado’s investments have made positive gains.” We would have liked to have asked him about it, but he and his people would speak with us. Shame.

Cynthia Coffman

Declined Our Interview Request

In 2004, Coffman served then-Governor as his chief council. In 2005 Attorney General John Sutherland selected Coffman as his chief deputy. She has filled this role for over eight years, acting as chief of staff and chief operating officer for the largest law firm in Colorado.

David Williams

According to Williams’ website, “David Williams is an accomplished private practice lawyer, proud father, radio show guest host, free-lance writer, blogger, and concerned citizen of Colorado. He is the also the co-founder and President of the Gadsden Society of Colorado, an advocacy group focused on preserving individual rights.”

Laura Boggs

Boggs came to Colorado from Florida for a job opportunity about 25 years ago. “I left sunny Florida and arrived in Denver on an airplane in November to snow all over the place. As I landed at Stapleton there was a big oil tank explosion. It was an exciting arrival,” she said.

Her two kids, who both attend public schools, are one of the reasons she is running for election. “Every child deserves access to a great public education that is locally controlled,” she says. “We spend billions and most of our students either don’t graduate or graduate without the skills they need to compete. We need to have a conversation and put our local communities back in control. Students are over tested and teachers need more flexibility to meet the needs of their students. Those things have to start coming into focus for us.”

Kim McGahey

Born in Buffalo, N.Y., McGahey moved to Breckinridge 35 years ago. “I walked down Main Street and I knew where I wanted to live. I was only going to spend two winters here but like a lot of Coloradans I ended up staying,” he says. “I’m running for Regent because I want to take it back from Ward Churchill and give it back to Thomas Jefferson. Our kids’ future is being wasted at both the state and federal level. I want liberty and critical thinking back in the classroom. Boulder is a place where we can give a world-renowned education in a world class setting to students. Instead of being a top 10 party school CU should be a top 10 academic institution. I want our CU graduates to get hired first in Colorado, the Rocky Mountain West and anywhere else.

John Carson

Carson graduated from Green Mountain High School in Lakewood, then a four-year degree in Political Science and then Law School both at CU. “I graduated from law school and I have a lot of ties to CU,” Carson says. “I worked on Capitol Hill on legislative staff for several members of congress and most recently for Wayne Allard of Colorado.”

Carson also lived in Washington, D.C. for 14 years. “The central concern I have is the affordability of higher education for CU students,” he says. “Tuition has gone up 160 percent in the last 10 years and students are being forced to take out large student loans. I support a tuition freeze that is tied to the growth in family income in Colorado.”

Irene Griego

Declined our Interview Request

Griego established the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Jefferson County Public Schools in 2010, and continues as its director in a post-retirement role. The system-wide effort was nationally recognized in September 2011 when the Jefferson School District received the prestigious National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) award for an institution.

Doug Aden

Should he win, it is not the voters putting Doug Aden in the State Senate, it is God. “I understand that each Civil Ruler is placed in his position by God, with obedient ones bringing blessings to their constituents and disobedient ones bringing curses.” Aden’s beliefs are stated clearly on his election website dougaden.com and in selected passages of the Bible. Unsure if you are a Christian? Aden covers that in “Are you one?” on his site. His motto: “Honor God, Defend the Family, Restore the Republic” expresses much of what the modern Constitution Party stands for. His course of action through the acronym POLICY. P= Promote God’s principles. O = Obey God’s instructions. L = Legislate according to scripture. I = Inerrant, infallible and absolutely true, which is what the Bible is according to Aden’s beliefs. C = Church and the State are accountable to God. Y = You’ve called me out of darkness into your marvelous light.

Jerry Sonnenberg

Do not frack with Jerry Sonnenberg. Jared Polis tried this summer and he was having none of it. This is not his first rodeo, but the four-time Legislator from Sterling has to mosey on. He’s term limited from running again so he’s setting his sights on State Senate. Sonnenberg knows his area well. He graduated long ago from CSU’s Agriculture and Rural Leadership Program. He’s been a rancher since the 70’s but also kicked around with a variety of jobs as a truck driver, news photographer, substitute teacher and even spent some time working at a funeral parlor. Folks love him up there. The Logan County Republicans just gave him a .22 rifle in appreciation of his service. He’s keeping his eye on rural Colorado, and Democrats, and anti- frackers better keep an eye on him.

Kevin J. Grantham

Declined our Interview Request

Grantham’s Facebook page states, “Kevin supports limited government, lower taxes/fees, fiscal responsibility, 2nd Amendment Rights, traditional family values, private property rights, the free market, small business, and personal responsibility.”

Ellen S. Roberts

Declined our Interview Request

Roberts is the first woman elected to the District 6 senate seat and was elected to the Colorado State Senate in 2010 with just over 60 percent of the votes cast in the general election. Roberts travelled to South Africa in 2011as part of a legislative faculty team to work with legislators in
four of the South African provinces. In May 2013, Roberts travelled with a small faculty team to Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique, to work with legislators there.

Ray Scott

Declined our Interview Request

According to his website, Scott says, “I believe citizen-legislators who understand the needs of their community run the best government. Government is responsible to uphold the Constitution, protect individual liberty, and allow Americans to pursue prosperity and peace.”

Joe Perez

Perez grew up in Western Nebraska, which he says is very similar to his District 13 in Eastern Colorado. “Where I grew up it was a rural agricultural community, much like where I am now,” said Perez.

Public service has been the focus of his career, first as a City of Greeley public service employee and then as a member of the military as a member of the Retired Air National Guard. “I served my country in the military. I have an extensive background in public service,” Perez said.

“I believe in our form of government and in citizen participation. I will serve all the constituents of my district. When elected I will live the words of the Gettysburg Address which is a ‘government of the people, by the people, for the people.’”

Kevin Lundberg

Lundberg was born in Denver and lived in Colorado his entire life. “I spent two months in California and I just wanted to come back,” he says.

“I think government is about the statements in the Declaration of Independence,” Lundberg says. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

“I think my job as legislator is to secure those rights. We should be a free people and determine what is right for us. I want to see a better political environment for my kids. I want to
ensure a free country that we can live in and that’s not easy.”

Laura J. Woods

Declined our Interview Request

In 1996, Woods began an 18-year stint in Bible Study Fellowship. I attended as a class member for three years, and then served as a discussion group leader for two years, and then as a substitute teaching leader for three years, and in January on 2004 she became the teaching leader. She says on her website, “Like a number of citizens in Colorado, it angered me to watch the Democrats in the Colorado Legislature force their radical agenda on our state in 2013.”

Judy Solano

Declined our Interview Request

Solano states on her website, “I know families are being hit hard by skyrocketing prices at the pump, college tuition and health care. That’s why I’ve fought to create jobs, decrease health care costs and strengthen public schools. I know we can find sensible solutions to the challenges facing Colorado families.”

Beth Martinez Humenik

Declined our Interview Request

Humenik’s website states, “As a principled policy maker and proven leader, I understand and believe in government transparency, accountability, making common sense decisions and fiscal responsibility.”

Mike Foote

Lafayette resident Foote, running unopposed, moved to Colorado to go to CU law school in 1999. “In 2004, I moved up to the Boulder District Attorney’s office,” he says. “Since then, I have been working on all types of different cases, including most recently complex economic crimes. I was first elected to the state house in 2012. I’ve been doing the district attorney job and the state representative job since then.”

He quickly passed a bill protecting at-risk seniors, and bills against certain types of sex offenders, particularly those against children, and crimes against pregnant women. Now, he feels that we need to focus on making sure that we have the best economy possible, and creating jobs. “We need to focus on education and making sure that it’s properly funded, and higher education as well,” he says. “Higher education gets the short end of the stick most of the time when it comes to funding because it’s not constitutionally protected. Of course, environmental and conservation concerns are always at the top of the list, especially with oil and gas. We live in a beautiful area and many people live in east Boulder County because of that, and we ned to make sure we preserve that.”

Charlie Plagainos

Plagainos was born in Harlem in a tenement and grew up between Harlem and Yorkville in Manhattan. “After several visits to Colorado I decided to retire here. I love Colorado. I think this is the most magnificent place in the world. I’ve spent the last 15 years in Colorado,” he says. Plagainos worked as a union representative for the Communication Workers of America, which according to him is the second largest union in the world. Every two years for the 24 years he was elected as a union representative. “I got elected even when I didn’t run. I was amazed,” said Plagainos.

“Right now we’re in big trouble, fiscally . I am an experienced representative. I’m here to protect the rights, privileges and benefits of the common folk, of which I am one. I’m willing to yell at my own party as well as anyone else. I’m the real thing.”

Libby Szabo

This Arvada representative must like horses a lot because she said “Nay” on most of the House bills this year. “Nay” on civil unions. “Nope” on adding any sort of gun control. And a great big “no way” on anything having to do with selling weed. Szabo does say “Yes” to bringing big business to Colorado however. As State Chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Szabo works with other politicians across the nation to cut corporate regulation and taxation, loosen environmental laws, halt illegal immigration, and protect gun laws. Her long held family business her experience in the mortgage and lending services industry drew her toward politics in the first place. According to her campaign website, “Libby’s desire to affect tax policy and the state’s regulatory environment inspired her to run for the Colorado Legislature in 2008.”

Carol “Jody” Beckler

“Oooooooooooooh, the Republicans” Carol Beckler sighs when asked who talked her into signing up on Facebook this July. It’s all to get the word out on her campaign for State Representative. The great grandmother and “Jody” of Jody’s Flower Basket has been active in the Thornton business community since the 1980s, joining the local Chamber of Commerce, zoning board and serving two terms on the City Council. “They needed somebody to run and I said, ‘well, I guess I could try so I’m running.’” Like many Coloradoans, her biggest concern with education right now is Common Core State Standards. “Common Core is so strong with the education program right now. The math has changed for the kids. And Common Core is a national federation from the government and they want to tell the schools what to teach.” Students spend too much of their time being tested and parents lose their rights over what their children learn. “Kids can’t write cursive anymore!” she says. “I think it’s really gotta’ go.”

Edgar Antillon

Looking to obtain your concealed carry gun permit, pick up some advanced techniques, or just teach your kids the basics of gun safety? Edgar Antillon’s your guy. “It all goes back to freedom,” says the NRA Certified Instructor and co-owner of Guns for Everyone in Westminster. Like most candidates in Adams County, Antillon cares about the economy: “Government does not create jobs, plain and simple. The best government can do to create jobs is to get out of the way,” and education: “Give back the control to the students, to the teachers, and to the parents. Unfortunately the government is way too involved in how schools are run and what curriculum (is taught).” If elected the former security guard will repeal overly restrictive laws.

Marijo Tinlin

The spelling of her first name may look exotic, but Marijo (pronounced Mary Jo) Tinlin is a regular, ol’ mom in Superior just like the rest of us. Well… she may have been on Fox News a few more times than the rest of us and written a book on patriotism (“How to Raise an American Patriot, Making it Okay for our Kids to be Proud to be American”), but like most moms she wants to make sure her kids get the best education possible. She comes with real personal experience with five kids who have been in private, public and charter schools in the area, and supports what works for the individual child rather than what works for the teachers or their unions. She is the Managing Editor of FamilyFirst.com magazine and a contributor of Conservative Commandos Radio.

Alexander “Skinny” Winkler

Raise your lighters high for a rock and roller in the State House! Meet Skinny Winkler, he’s young, plays drum/bass/keyboard, has ear piercinsg galore and he’s been in a bunch of Denver bands, man. He’s worked at Red Bull, and owns SSS Productions, this totally chill sound, staging, and lighting company in Northglenn that’s done work at Red Rocks and local outdoor festivals. Dude loves snowboarding, graduated from CU, loves talking to folks and promoting concerts. He’s down with finding out what unaffiliated voters think, and feels a lot of the recent gun laws coming out of the Legislature were just emotional reactions to recent tragedies and are unenforceable, diggit? And he’s totally into… the GOP? He’s the former Vice Chair of the Adams County… Republicans?! And his favorite book is by… Ayn freakin’ Raaaaaand?! Lighters down, dude. Lighters down.

Faith Winter

If Colorado has its own Leslie Knope, it may just be Westminster City Councilwoman Faith Winter. “That may be the best compliment I’ve ever had!” the perky 30-something says. She’s served the local Parks and Recreation Department by helping create the Armed Forces Memorial Garden, and is moving forward with her political aspirations by running for the State House. In her six years on City Council, Winter also worked to keep the government greener. “I have an Environmental management degree, so one of my priorities has always been making sure that Coloradans have clean air and clean water.” That’s not just talk. Winter was instrumental in changing four government building, including City Hall and the Rec Center, over to solar. “We’re the 1stawards over the year, being named one of the 10 Most Influential Women in Denver, and Colorado Business and Professional Woman of the Year. Let’s add another blue ribbon from the folks of Pawnee to Leslie… oops, we mean Faith, this year.

Lori Saine

By legislative terms, conservative Weld County Republican Lori Saine accomplished a lot during her first term. She sponsored five pieces of legislation that passed this session and sponsored many more. If reelected, Saine says she will probably focus passing a felony DUI law in Colorado, which was narrowly defeated.

The former Dacono City Council member supports Guns, God, Life, Liberty and works hard to keep these freedoms alive. She is unabashedly, 100% Pro-life. She also believes we have the God given right to bear arms as outlined in the Constitution.

Saine caught the attention of Republican Party leaders several years ago and was asked to run for Dacono City Council “It wasn’t something I ever thought I would do.” She understands the importance of job growth in Colorado because she comes from the working sector. “I represent most of the people in Weld County.” She strongly supports the oil, gas and coal industry, and keeping water in Colorado for farmers to use.

In the race for District of Regional Transportation Director, we endorse former Louisville mayor and incumbent Chuck Sisk over Elizabeth Adams.

Hillary Hall gets plus points for Boulder County Clerk and Recorder thanks to her publicly stating that the ban on gay marriages is unconstitutional while in the job, but Libertarian Ralph Shnelvar gets our thumbs up. “After 40 years of a Democrat in that position, it’s time for another pair of eyes,” Shnelvar told us. Paul Weissman is running unopposed for Country Treasurer, as is Jerry M. Roberts for Boulder County Assessor, Joseph K. Pelle for County Sheriff, Lee Stadele for County Surveyor, and Emma Hall for County Coroner. We endorse all of them. Yellow Scene endorses Chris Leh for City of Louisville City Council Person Ward I, and Clint Folshom for Town of Superior Mayor, while Sandy Pennington, Rita Dozal, Anthony Stewart, Colleen Callin and Chris Hanson are looking to fill a number of seats for Town of Superior Trustee.

The following judges are looking to be retained:

Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court Brian D. Boatright and Monica M. Márquez, Court of Appeals Terry Fox and Alan M. Loeb, District Judge 20th Judicial District Ingrid S. Bakke, Maria E. Berkenkotter, Patrick Butler, Judith L. LaBuda, and Andrew Ross Macdonald, and County Judge David Archuleta, Noel E. Blum, Karolyn Moore, and Norma A. Sierra.

Finally, the following local ballot issues will be on the relevant ballots:

Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A asks is sales and use tax should be increased 0.185 percent to help the flood recovery, Boulder County Ballot Issue 1B proposes a mill levy extension of $7 per $100,000 value of a home, City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2A proposes a temporary tax increase for community, culture and safety, City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2B will grant Boulder City Council permission to met in executive session, not in public, to discuss legal matters, City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2C asks whether Boulder should have the authority to create municipal internet, City of Lafayette Ballot Issue 2A asks if property taxes in Lafayette should be raised to fund upgrades to the police department and ambulance service, City of Lafayette Ballot Issue 2B asks is looking to approve a $5.5 million bond to improve the Lamont Does pool and park complex, City of Lafayette Ballot Issue 2C would add a 10 percent on all marijuana and marijuana products bought in the city, City of Lafayette Ballot Issue 2D would require residents of the city to pay a small additional tax based on their utilities bill, City of Longmont Ballot Issue 2A seeks to extend street system maintenance and improvement, Town of Lyons Ballot Issue 2A wants city surtaxes on marijuana, and North Metro Fire District Ballot Issue 4A, Coal Creek Canyon Fire Protection District Ballot Issue 4B, Lyons Regional Library Ballot Issue 4C, and Sunshine Fire Protection District Ballot Issue 2A seeks to raise funds.

Definition of Person and Child

Amendment 67, or issue 5, will read on the ballot, “Shall there be an amendment
to the Colorado constitution protecting pregnant women and unborn children by defining ‘person’ and ‘child’ in the Colorado criminal code and the Colorado wrongful death act to include unborn human beings?” In other words, should women who have an abortion be convicted of murder? We say no.

School Board Open Meetings

Should the public be able to observe collective bargaining negotiations? Do they want to?