House District 56

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.

David Torres is the progressive candidate running in Colorado's 5th Congressional District against the far-right conservative incumbent Rep. Doug Lamborn. Torres grew up in Colorado Springs and served in the Air Force Reserves at Petersen Air Force Base. A political newcomer, Torres is focused on helping veterans, reducing gun violence, and making education and health care accessible to all.

Torres' opponent, incumbent Rep. Doug Lamborn, is a reliable vote for the far-right agenda who has recently became ensnared in ethics investigations over his misuse of staff for personal errands and even allowing his son to live rent-free in a U.S. Capitol storage lot. Despite Lamborn's slavish devotion to Donald Trump, Trump chose to move the U.S. Space Command away from Colorado Springs to reward more reliable supporters in Alabama. Rep. Lamborn was also one of the members of Congress who voted against certification of President Joe Biden's victory on January 6th, 2021.

Rep. Lamborn is a prime example of safe-seat corruption and contempt for the dignity of their office. David Torres would be a welcome and long-overdue change in the 5th Congressional District's leadership.

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.

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.

Joseph Shelton is an emerging leader born and raised in Colorado Springs. Shelton first ran for office in 2019 when he was seeking a seat on the Colorado Springs School District 11. He was a student activist when his local school in Colorado Springs was closed down. For Shelton, running for State Board of Education is about creating a future-ready environment for all students. Shelton is the clear progressive choice.

Steven Durham, the Republican incumbent, is an advocate for charter schools. Over the past year and a half, Durham has worked to have the state's academic standards connect the Holocaust to socialism. A first draft of the standards was created in which Durham succeeded in omitting the word Nazi in favor of the full name of the party, which is the National Socialist German Workers Party. More recently Durham voted in favor of the “American Birthright” framework, a set of social studies standards modeled after Florida's guidelines and created by a conservative education coalition. The education system does not need Steve Durham and his twisted ideas.

We strongly recommend Joseph Shelton.

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.

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.