Adams County

Incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet joined the U.S. Senate in 2009 after Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter appointed him to succeed Sen. Ken Salazar after Salazar was appointed Secretary of the Interior by President Barack Obama. Prior to his appointment, Bennet served as Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, presiding over increased student enrollment and graduation rates.

Sen. Bennet won his first full term in office in the close 2010 election against Rep. Ken Buck. In 2013, Bennet played a key role as a member of the Gang of Eight in the passage of comprehensive immigration reform out of the U.S. Senate. In twelve years of service in the Senate, Sen. Bennet has been a consistent supporter of voting rights, abortion rights, nondiscrimination and LGBTQ+ rights, reducing gun violence, environmental protection and confronting human-caused climate change, and ending the failed War on Drugs.

Sen. Bennet's signature policy achievement in office came with the March 2021 passage of the Child Tax Credit expansion as part of the American Rescue Plan. The expanded Child Tax Credit resulted in an historic reduction in child poverty for the one-year period in which the program was fully funded. Sen. Bennet's top priority in 2023 is to make the Child Tax Credit expansion permanent. In 2019, Sen. Bennet joined with Republican Sen. Mitt Romney to call for a universal basic income standard for children.

Sen. Bennet can negotiate with Republicans across the aisle and influence policy with the Democratic Senate majority and the White House. Bennet was the driving force behind President Joe Biden's establishment of a new national monument at Camp Hale and drilling protections in the ecologically sensitive Thompson Divide.

Sen. Bennet's opponent, concrete executive Joe O'Dea, tried and failed to hide his far-right agenda from Colorado voters. During the Republican primary, O'Dea claimed to be "personally very pro-life," and proudly admitted after winning the nomination that he was a supporter of Proposition 115, an abortion restriction measure that failed overwhelmingly in 2020. Despite this, O'Dea has falsely claimed to be "pro choice" in deceptive campaign ads. O'Dea was proud to claim the support of members of the Trump administration during the primary, then tried to back away from Trump after winning the nomination.

The contrast between Michael Bennet's record of service and policy wins in the U.S. Senate and Joe O'Dea's empty promises concealing a right-wing agenda could not be greater. Bennet is the clear progressive choice.

Ike McCorkle is challenging the Republican incumbent for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District. The single father of three kids believes the people in the district deserve a representative who is dedicated to them, not the elite. In order to get Big Money out of politics, he supports a publicly funded, transparent system of campaign financing and wants to see the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling overturned to limit the influence of special interest groups that are buying much of our governmental leadership.

McCorkle is also an unabashed environmentalist who intends to fight for a Green New Deal not just to address the existential threat of climate change and rapidly transition energy production but to reinvest in rural America and create thousands of good-paying jobs in his district. Other policies he supports are ones that will expand equity and opportunity for everyone, including Medicare for All, tuition-free public college, reducing college debt by imposing a tax on Wall Street speculators, and a universal basic income system.

A retired Marine Corps officer and special operator who served for 18 years, six deployments, and four combat tours, McCorkle seeks to bring dignity and integrity to Congress and restore trust and confidence in government. He is a clear progressive choice who, if elected, plans to bring people with diverse backgrounds and beliefs together to build an American society where we lift each other up so that we all benefit together.

The incumbent he faces is U.S. Sen. Ken Buck, a former prosecutor and district attorney in Weld County who has been in Congress since 2014. His legal career has been marred by numerous ethical scandals, including compromising a case against Republican donors and declining to prosecute a sexual assault, instead blaming the victim. Since he has been in Congress, Buck has toed the party’s extreme right-wing line. He is anti-choice, opposes reasonable gun safety legislation, and has said that being gay is a choice. Buck also voted in favor of the 2017 tax reform bill, which heavily favored the wealthy and corporations while increasing tax burdens on the middle class. 

With all this in mind, Buck must not remain in office. Progressives should cast their vote for McCorkle.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, a lawyer and former Army Ranger who completed three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, is running for reelection in Colorado's 6th Congressional District. In 2018, he defeated longtime Republican incumbent Mike Coffman to become the first Democrat ever to represent this district.

Before serving in Congress, Crow spent years helping veterans like himself who struggled to receive benefits, focusing his work on veteran homelessness and substance abuse issues. Then, during his first term, Crow stepped into the national spotlight as one of the seven impeachment managers who argued for Donald Trump’s removal from office during the Senate trial. Crow made the case that Trump put both Ukraine’s safety and the U.S.’s national security at risk by withholding military aid in exchange for political favors.

Crow’s district is the most diverse in Colorado, with 1 in 5 residents being born outside the United States; Crow has said this is what makes his community such a special place to live. He supports protecting DREAMers and passing comprehensive immigration reform and has called for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to end its contracts with private prison companies.

Crow has worked on instituting campaign finance reform. The first bill he sponsored, the End Dark Money Act, would prevent mega-donors from being able to hide their political contributions. His other priorities include preventing gun violence, combatting the effects of climate change, ensuring small businesses are able to thrive, and fighting for a bold investment in America’s infrastructure.

Rep. Crow's opponent Steven Monahan is a political newcomer and officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve. In Monahan's candidate questionnaire from the Denver Post, Monahan repeated discredited talking points about the Inflation Reduction Act and expressed support for the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Rep. Crow has served the residents of the 6th Congressional District with distinction and is the clear progressive choice in this race.

State Sen. Brittany Pettersen is the progressive candidate running for the open 7th Congressional District seat being vacated by retiring long-time Rep. Ed Perlmutter. Pettersen has represented the west Denver suburbs since her original election in 2012 to the Colorado House, then succeeding Sen. Andy Kerr in Senate District 22 in 2019. Pettersen is opposed by Erik Aadland, an avowed election conspiracy theorist with no experience in public office.

In the Colorado General Assembly, Pettersen has been a leading advocate for criminal justice reform and combating the opioid addiction crisis that threatens communities across the state and nation. Pettersen helped pass landmark Equal Pay for Equal Work legislation which has been modeled in other states. Pettersen was one of the sponsors of the Colorado Option health insurance reform measure intended to reduce premiums on the individual market by up to 20%. In Congress, Petterson has promised to fight for the repeal of the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts and a fairer tax policy for all Americans.

Erik Aadland is an Army veteran with no political experience best known for his belief that the 2020 presidential election was "rigged." Aadland supports sweeping cuts to federal spending that would endanger social safety nets like Medicare and Social Security, and refuses to confirm that humans are impacting the global climate. Aadland also opposed Colorado's law codifying abortion rights while supporting the repeal of Roe v. Wade.

Pettersen is far and away the superior candidate to succeed Rep. Perlmutter and continue to provide strong progressive leadership to the 7th Congressional District.

Dr. Yadira Caraveo, who has served in the Colorado House of Representatives since 2019, is the progressive candidate in Colorado's brand-new 8th Congressional District, one of the most evenly-divided and competitive congressional districts in the nation. Her race is proving to be one of the most important 2022 electoral battlegrounds.

Caraveo is a pediatrician who graduated from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. In the Colorado House, Caraveo has played a major role in the passage of health coverage, prescription drug affordability, education, economic development, and legislation to reduce toxic air pollution. Caraveo is a proven supporter of abortion rights, helping pass legislation to protect abortion rights in Colorado ahead of the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade. Caraveo has a reputation at the state capitol as a tireless organizer who is constantly in touch with her constituents through town halls and other outreach campaigns.

State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer first became known outside Weld County when she helped organize a ballot initiative campaign to begin the process of seceding from the state of Colorado and forming the new state of "North Colorado" with Greeley as its capital city. As a Weld County Commissioner and then in the Colorado Senate, Kirkmeyer earned a reputation for uncompromising anti-abortion grandstanding and total devotion to the oil and gas industry over the best interests of her constituents. Kirkmeyer was criticized as county commissioner for reimbursing herself over $70,000 in taxpayer dollars for vehicle expenses.

Yadira Caraveo represents the very best in elected leadership in Colorado today, and is the easy choice to recommend for Colorado's 8th Congressional District.

Incumbent Gov. Jared Polis' record of public service to the state of Colorado goes back over two decades to his election in 2000 to serve as at-large member of the Colorado State Board of Education. After helping found the New America Schools to serve recent immigrant students focused on English language instruction, Polis was elected in 2008 to represent Colorado's 2nd Congressional District, succeeding Mark Udall who was elected to the U.S. Senate that year.

In the U.S. House, Polis was a strong advocate for health care and immigration reform, serving on the House Education, Natural Resources, and Rules Committees. Polis received an 89% lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters after leading the fight for a variety of important environmental reform initiatives including reducing methane pollution, protecting clean water resources, and addressing the threat of human-caused global climate change.

Elected to his first term as Governor of Colorado in 2018, Polis quickly went to work with the progressive majority in the Colorado General Assembly to successfully enact a comprehensive agenda of health care reform, inclusive economic development, education funding, anti-discrimination and equal wage protections, and environmental justice legislation. Senate Bill 19-181, a fossil fuel extraction reform measure, fundamentally changed the purpose of Colorado's oil and gas oversight authorities to prioritize public health and environmental protection over industry profits.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Polis' leadership and deliberate work to minimize partisan conflict with the Trump administration helped the state reduce economic harm while keeping the state's overall death rate from the pandemic well below the national average. Once the threat of the pandemic's spread without vaccines and effective treatments was past, Polis was at the head of the curve nationally in working to re-open Colorado's economy.

Polis' opponent, University of Colorado Regent Heidi Ganahl, is the only remaining statewide Republican elected official after years of losses in recent elections. Ganahl described herself as "The MAGA candidate Colorado has been waiting for," and is by for the most openly pro-Trump candidate on the statewide ballot in Colorado. As CU Regent, Ganahl enthusiastically supported Trump coup plotter John Eastman's paid appointment as the school's "Visiting Conservative Scholar." Ganahl's campaign has employed key members of Trump's former legal team. Ganahl's platform of slashing state revenue while promising to pay for crucial state services has been widely denounced as unrealistic. As governor, Ganahl has pledged to roll back recently-passed legislation protecting abortion rights in Colorado.

Jared Polis has served the state of Colorado with distinction during one of the greatest period of crisis in the entire nation's history. The choice between Polis and Ganahl's Trump-style bad faith could not be easier. Polis deserves your vote.

Incumbent Secretary of State Jena Griswold is an attorney with experience in voting rights and accessibility. Before winning office in 2018, Griswold served as the director of Gov. John Hickenlooper's federal liaison in Washington, D.C. and as an attorney for President Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

As Secretary of State, Griswold has overseen elections featuring some of the highest rates of voter participation in America, while defending Colorado's gold standard mail ballot election system from repeated baseless attacks from President Donald Trump and election conspiracy theorists. Griswold conducted the initial investigation into a breach of election security by Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters that resulted in numerous felony charges against Peters.

Griswold's opponent, former Jefferson County Clerk Pam Anderson, severely damaged her once-commendable reputation for standing up to right-wing misinformation by campaigning with Republicans who dispute the results of the 2020 elections. Anderson has refused to condemn election deniers who support her campaign, claiming that would “divide or ostracize people.” Less than two years after Donald Trump's attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential elections, Coloradans cannot responsibly entrust Pam Anderson and the Party of Trump with control over our elections.

Secretary Griswold is the clear progressive choice in this important statewide race.

Incumbent Treasurer Dave Young is running for his second term as Colorado Treasurer after winning office in 2018. Prior to Young's election as Treasurer, he served as a state legislature representing House District 50 in Weld County. In the legislature, Young served on the powerful Joint Budget Committee and chaired the House Appropriations Committee, some of the most important fiscal posts in the General Assembly. On the JBC, Young worked across the aisle each year to hammer out the state's most important annual piece of legislation, the "Long Bill" general fund budget. In 2013, Young helped communities he represents recover from that year's devastating floods.

As Treasurer, Young worked closely with Gov. Jared Polis to successfully manage the COVID-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on keeping Colorado's small business afloat during the worst of the crisis and swiftly reopening Colorado's economy once it was safe to do so. Young has also worked to streamline and expedite payments to Colorado property owners under the Great Colorado Payback program.

Young's opponent is Lang Sias, a perennial candidate for a variety of elected offices in Colorado who most recently lost the election to serve as lieutenant governor under Walker Stapleton in 2018. While serving in the U.S. Navy, Lang Sias attended a pilot's convention known as "Tailhook" in 1991 that resulted in nationwide scandal, with allegations of sexual assault committed against 83 women and seven men. Currently a FedEx pilot, Sias' run for this office is due to its availability, not Sias' fiscal policy experience.

Re-electing Treasurer Dave Young should be one of the easiest choices on this year's ballot.

Incumbent Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is seeking his second term after winning office in 2018. Prior to serving as Colorado Attorney General, Weiser served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the U.S. Justice Department during the Obama administration. Weiser also served as a senior counsel at the Justice Department Antitrust Division during the Clinton Administration. Early in his career, Weiser served as a law clerk for Justices Byron White and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

As Colorado's Attorney General, Weiser has fought to defend Colorado's historic recent progress on health care reform, protecting consumers from exploitation, anti-discrimination laws and Colorado's gold standard election system. Weiser was a nationwide leader in holding drug manufacturers accountable for their role in the opioid addiction crisis, as well as legal action to forgive the student loans of thousands of victims of predatory lenders and scam for-profit colleges.

Weiser's opponent is District Attorney John Kellner, who succeeded George Brauchler as Arapahoe County DA after Brauchler lost his race for Attorney General in 2018. Kellner's dishonest attacks on Weiser over Colorado's crime rate ignore the stark increase that has occurred in Kellner's own district during the same period. Kellner has expressed his support for the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, and has promised to "support Colorado law" despite his fellow Republicans' determination to repeal Colorado laws protecting abortion rights.

Phil Weiser has done an examplary job as the state's chief attorney, and has earned a second term in office.

Kathy Plomar has been heavily invested in public education as former President of the Adams 12 Board of Education and former President of the Parent Teacher Organization. Plomar believes in bringing people together with different life experiences to ensure all kids receive an excellent education. Plomar lists three key priorities that will define her work as an at-large State Board of Education member: academic excellence, respecting teachers, and transparency and accountability. Plomar is a solid progressive choice for the State Board of Education.

The Republican candidate for this seat is Dan Maloit, a parent of three and a medical device sales manager. Maloit recently became involved in politics when he organized for the reopening of schools for full-time, in-person learning in August of 2020, before the development of any COVID-19 vaccines or effective treatments. We recommend voting for Plomar.

Incumbent Rebecca McClellan has served the 6th Congressional District on the Colorado State Board of Education since 2017. She has taken various roles on the board including a term as the Board Liaison to the Colorado Special Education Advisory Committee, as well as State Board Legislative Liaison. More recently she has been fighting against conservative board members who have been advocating for conservative social studies standards that erase LGBT people and people of color from history. McClellan has proven to be a defender of education and Colorado needs her continued leadership. McClellan is the progressive choice.

Molly Lamar is the Republican candidate. Lamar has been endorsed by many conservative Republicans including Steve Durham, a conservative extremist State Board of Education incumbent that represents the 5th Congressional District. Lamar would be a dangerous addition to the State Board of Education.

Rhonda Solis is a product of the Weld County school district and has proudly served two full terms on the Greeley- Evans School District 6 Board of Education. Solis is determined to advocate for families and educators. She hopes to replicate the work she has done as a school board member which includes individual learning plans for all students. Rhonda was the recipient of the 2021 Female Leader of the Year by the Cesar Chavez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver. Rhonda Solis is prepared and ready to lead; she is the clear choice in this race.

Peggy Propst is the Republican candidate in the 8th Congressional District. She wants to change current curriculum standards to focus on “American Exceptionalism.” Propst opposes teaching sex-ed and the history of African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and other ethnic groups. Propst's racist values would be detrimental to the mental health and wellbeing of students. She would be disastrous on the State Board of Education.

Jack Barrington is a Navy veteran, teacher, truck driver and mechanic. Barrington has traveled throughout the state of Colorado and learned about the diversity in our state. Living in the far Southeast plains, he is interested in representing the citizens of CD4 as a board member of the University of Colorado Board of Regents. Jack Barrington is the candidate to elect.

Frank McNulty is the Republican candidate. He is a Republican political operative. As former House Speaker, he is notorious for stalling the Colorado Civil Unions bill, ensuring its failure.

Jack Barrington is the progressive choice for the CU Board of Regents.

Yolanda Ortega is a former administrator in Higher Education. Ortega found passion in mentoring young people and students. Ortega's experience includes an appointment to the Auraria Board of Trustees. She hopes to relieve the financial burdens for students so that more will have access. Ortega also recognizes that the faculty and staff need support to provide quality academic programs. Yolanda’s deep experience in higher-ed administration sets her apart.

Mark VanDriel is the Republican candidate from Greeley. One of VanDriel's top priorities is to fight "cancel culture," a right-wing culture war talking point.

Yolanda Ortega has the experience to make a positive impact in the lives of all CU students and deserves your vote.

Representative Kyle Mullica is running to represent Colorado Senate District 24. Mullica currently represents House District 34 in the Colorado House of Representatives, which includes Thornton and Northglenn - now he is running to serve Adams County in the State Senate. When he isn’t working at the state legislature Mullica is an ER Nurse. In Mullica's first term he talked about the youth vaping epidemic and workers' rights, he then went on to pass historic healthcare legislation. Mullica lists his priorities as cost of living, education, healthcare, and public safety. Mullica is the right step forward to continue the work that needs to be done.

Courtney Potter is the republican candidate. She is pro oil and gas, and against abortions.

Mullica is the progressive choice for Senate District 24.

Senator Faith Winter is running for re-election to represent Colorado State Senate District 24. aWinter has been in the political space since 2005 when she ran for Westminster City Council. Winter went on to represent House District 35. During her tenure in the state legislature, Winter has been a bold champion in fighting climate change, fighting for family medical leave, and she is the Chair of the Senate Transportation & Energy Committee and is a member of the Finance Committee. Winter will continue to prioritize working families, fighting climate change, funding transportation, and women's rights.

Winter has been a champion in moving the progressive platform and is the clear progressive choice.

Rep. Lindsey Daugherty is the current House District 29 Representative running in House District 24 following Colorado's redistricting process. Daugherty supports issues such as education, housing, and health care. She has helped pass legislation that would support suicide prevention, as well as legislation to help law enforcement prevent human trafficking. Daugherty also believes in strengthening the job force and has introduced legislations to help workers compensation and small businesses struggling during the pandemic.

Opposing her is Republican Bill Patterson, a small business professional. Patterson seeks to fund law enforcement and support stricter sentencing of criminals. He is also a proud supporter of TABOR will work to protect it.

Through her experience, Lindsey Daugherty has proven to be the right choice for House District 24. She deserves your vote.

Representative Shannon Bird is seeking re-election for a third term in the Colorado State House District 29. Bird was first elected to the State House in 2018 after serving on the Westminster City Council. Bird served in 2021-2022 as the Chair of the House Finance Committee and on the Business Affairs and Labor Committee. Bird lives in Westminster with her family. She has led the way in supporting small businesses through her Small Business Recovery Loan Program; cosponsored the $5.3 billion transportation package; fought for all day kindergarten and preschool; and signed on as a co-sponsor for the Reproductive Health Equity Act. Bird will continue to represent working families and small businesses and to protect freedoms in the Colorado legislature.

Bird is the progressive choice to continue leading House District 29.

Said Sharbini is the progressive candidate running to succeed Rep. Yadira Caraveo in Colorado State House District 31. Sharbini has dedicated his career to helping people in their moment of greatest need as an attorney with the Office of the State Public Defenders.

Sharbini's opponent, Heidi Pitchforth, is a retired school teacher who has spread COVID-19 misinformation via social media and has called for a "recount or revote [of] the entire 2020 presidential election."

Said Sharbini is the only responsible choice for the voters of House District 31.

Incumbent Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet has served Colorado House District 32 (known before redistricting in 2021 as House District 30) since winning her seat in 2016, ousting far-right disgraced Rep. JoAnn Windholz. Prior to serving in the Colorado House, Rep. Michaelson Jenet had a career as an award-winning author.

In the Colorado House, Rep. Michaelson Jenet has been a leading advocate for behavioral health legislation, school nutrition, and protecting children from discrimination and so-called "conversion therapy." In 2021, Rep. Michaelson Jenet was the prime sponsor of legislation requiring health insurance policies to cover mental health wellness examinations.

Rep. Michaelson Jenet's opponent, Justin Brown, is an oil and gas service company owner with no previous political experience. Brown told the Denver Post his top priority is to "battle against 'woke' education and the teaching of 'nonacademic concepts.'"

Rep. Michaelson Jenet has tirelessly served her constituents with heartfelt empathy and is the easy choice for House District 32.

Broomfield City Councilmember William Lindstedt is the progressive candidate running in Colorado House District 33. On the Broomfield City Council, Lindstedt has been on the forefront of crucial growth planning and environmental protection issues. Prior to election to the Broomfield City Council, Lindstedt was a senior leader staffer in the Colorado General Assembly.

Lindstedt's opponent, Stacie Dougherty, has no previous political experience, opposes "mask and vaccine mandates," and claims that "natural gas can reduce our emissions."

Councilmember William Lindstedt is the clear choice for House District 33.

Northglenn Mayor Pro Tem Jenny Willford is the progressive candidate running in Colorado House District 34 to succeed outgoing Rep. Kyle Mullica. Willford has served on the Northglenn City Council since 2017. Prior to her election, Willford was the Executive Director of Emerge Colorado, an organization dedicated to promoting Democratic women in elected office.

As City Councillor and Mayor Pro Tem, Willford has worked to provide generous family leave benefits to municipal employees while promoting affordable housing and addressing the threat of human-caused climate change. Wilford's opponent Kevin Allen is an engineer with no experience in public office.

Willford is the recommended progressive choice for House District 34.

Incumbent Rep. Adrienne Benavidez has served in the Colorado General Assembly since winning election in 2016. Benavidez serves as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Colorado House of Representatives, and has played a leading role in healthcare reform, criminal justice reform and safe communities, and environmental justice for communities damaged by industrial pollution.

Little is known about Rep. Benavidez's opponent, Craig Jones, who describes himself as a "charter member" of a so-called "Tea Party" far-right organization.

Rep. Benavidez is the clear choice to represent Colorado House District 35.

Rep. Mike Weissman has served Colorado House District 36 since winning election in 2016, succeeding outgoing Rep. Su Ryden. Prior to election to the Colorado House, Weissman was a leading strategist in the historic progressive political realignment that took place in Colorado from 2004 to the present day. Weissman serves as chair of the Colorado House Judiciary Committee.

Weissman's relatively unknown opponent, William Walters, is a retired Denver Sheriff who believes schools are being "used [to] indoctrinate children."

Rep. Weismann is the clear progressive choice in House District 36.

Spring Erickson is a Colorado native running to represent Colorado House District 48. Erickson is a Methodist minister, artist and substitute teacher running to strengthen access to health care and mental health care and to support Colorado families.

Erickson is the progressive choice in Colorado House District 48.

Kathleen Conway is running to represent Colorado House District 56, which includes rural Adams, Arapahoe El Paso, Elbert, and Lincoln Counties. Conway has a long history of community service and leadership in her career and as a volunteer. She has served on the Governor’s Foreclosure Prevention Task Force and as the Chief Clerk and Recorder for Douglas County. Conway will “work for the people” to preserve the rural way of life as well as the land and water. She will also work to address growth in Colorado.

Conway is the progressive choice for House District 56.