2018 MIDTERM VOTERS GUIDE

Transcription

1 VOTERS GUIDE 1

2 Dear Fellow Coloradans, Sorting through campaign rhetoric can be difficult and elections do have consequences. That s why it is important to be informed on where the candidates stand on the issues facing you and your family. Exercising your right to vote can make a difference in the outcome of this election. It is critical that each of us remembers that our values and our vote determine our future. CFA Foundation has produced our well-known Voters Guide at coloradovotersguide.org to assist you in educating yourself prior to voting. In addition to the candidates covered in this guide, at coloradovotersguide.org, you will find: How to locate your election districts. Expanded comments that candidates wrote in response to the Voters Guide questions. Links to candidate websites as provided to the Secretary of State. Ability to download and personally print the Voters Guide in pdf format. Links to check your voter information, register to vote and much more! You ll see first-hand information that can help you choose elected officials that share the same values you do. Your one vote can make the difference and will affect your community, your family and the citizens of the State of Colorado. Be the difference, Debbie Chaves Executive Director, CFA Foundation ABOUT CFA FOUNDATION This guide is brought to you by CFA Foundation, a 501(C) (3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational organization. For more information visit our website at or call VOTERS GUIDE

3 WHICH RACES ARE COVERED IN THIS VOTERS GUIDE? Governor Colorado Attorney General Colorado Secretary of State Colorado State Treasurer Colorado State Senate (General Assembly) Colorado State House of Representatives (General Assembly) Colorado State Board of Education University of Colorado Board of Regents VISIT COLORADOVOTERSGUIDE.COM TO FIND: Responses from various candidates to our survey questions Any comments from the candidates regarding the survey questions presented Contact information for the candidates Free resources to download and share with your church and other concerned voters IS THE VOTERS GUIDE AFFILIATED WITH ANY POLITICAL PARTY? No. The Voters Guide is a nonpartisan, educational resource designed for voters who wish to educate themselves prior to the upcoming election. ARE ANY CANDIDATES ENDORSED IN THE VOTERS GUIDE? No. No candidates are endorsed in this nonpartisan, educational resource. WHICH CANDIDATES ARE INCLUDED IN THE VOTERS GUIDE? For state races, all candidates who were nominated or selected by a Major Party (Democrat, Republican) of Colorado, according to the Colorado Secretary of State s Political Party Directory (available at: co.us/pubs/elections/vote/generalcandidates.html) were invited to participate. For General Assembly races, all Democrat and Republican candidates were invited to participate. WHY DID SOME CANDIDATES NOT RESPOND TO THE VOTERS GUIDE QUESTIONNAIRE? We do not know why some of the candidates failed to respond to the questionnaire for their race. What we do know is that every candidate included in the Voters Guide had a fair and equal opportunity to respond. Candidates were contacted repeatedly by phone and using the contact information they provided to the Colorado Secretary of State and/or through their campaigns. We were able to extend the deadline to respond so ample time was given to everyone. Responses were accepted online through coloradovotersguide.org. WHO PAID FOR THE VOTERS GUIDE? Concerned Coloradans committed to an informed electorate and responsible citizenship contributed to the preparation and publication of this Voters Guide. No candidate or political party paid for any part of this publication. SUPPORT THE VOTERS GUIDE This guide would not be possible without the generous support of individuals around our state. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to continue this valuable work, you can call or donate online to CFA Foundation at: ColoradoAction.org CFA FOUNDATION VOTERS GUIDE DISTRIBUTION POLICY In an effort to steward resources, CFA Foundation (CFAF) has adopted the following policy for the distribution of our 2018 Voters Guide. CFAF will print 100,000 English guides, 25,000 Spanish guides, and provide a downloadable version for self printing if you so desire at: coloradovotersguide. org. We also provide downloadable fliers to promote the coloradovotersguide.org website where voters can download a pdf version of the entire guide. Members of the public, churches, Christian bookstores, Christian organizations, Christian radio stations and Candidates for Office: Can print copies of the guide from the website at their own cost as long as the guide is printed in its entirety. May not serve as CFAF s representative to distribute CFAF Voters Guide to churches and other locations. DISCLAIMER Churches and other nonprofit organizations may distribute nonpartisan, unbiased, voter-education material without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status. The questions asked of candidates in the 2018 Voters Guide along with other aspects of the guide have been reviewed by outside attorneys to ensure they comply with the Internal Revenue Service rules for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations. Each organization that distributes this guide is responsible for its own actions. VOTERS GUIDE 3

4 CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE VOTERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? I am husband to my wife Jenna and father to my three young children, Craig, Coco and Olivia. I am a Christian and before ever running for office I was the CEO of a public company. It s been an honor serve the people of Colorado as State Treasurer and I hope to earn your vote to be the next Governor of Colorado. HOW WOULD YOU ASSURE QUALIFIED PERSONS ARE APPOINTED TO REGULATORY POSITIONS AND COMMISSIONS? WALKER STAPLETON I will work with stakeholders and knowledgeable people across the spectrum of issues to ensure that we are getting talented people in important government positions. Further, we will make sure those serving in my administration are not only qualified but also have high moral integrity. INFO@POLISFORCOLORADO.COM WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE VOTERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? CANDIDATE DID NOT RESPOND HOW WOULD YOU ASSURE QUALIFIED PERSONS ARE APPOINTED TO REGULATORY POSITIONS AND COMMISSIONS? JARED POLIS 4 VOTERS GUIDE

5 SURVEY ANSWERS BY GOVERNOR CANDIDATES KEY TO ANSWERS D = Democratic R = Republican S = Support O = Oppose U = Undecided = Declined to Respond * and ** = answers and comments displayed at: Review candidate comments/notes/citations at 1. Do you support or oppose the religious beliefs of a person being permitted to influence the decisions they make while serving in public office? 2. Do you support or oppose public funding, including Medicaid, for Planned Parenthood? 3. Do you support or oppose churches and other qualified religious organizations continuing to receive tax-exempt status? 4. Do you support or oppose increasing the advertising budget for the Colorado lottery in an effort to increase lottery ticket sales? 5. Do you support or oppose business owners being able to legally decline to use their artistic or creative talents to celebrate events that go against their personal beliefs? 6. Do you support or oppose the state of Colorado withholding funding to Sanctuary Cities that do not comply with federal immigration laws? GOVERNOR PARTY QUESTION # Walker Stapleton R S * O S O S * S * Jared Polis D VOTERS GUIDE 5

6 CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE VOTERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? I am running for Secretary of State because I believe there s extremely important work to do. I plan to ensure that every citizen s right to vote is protected, expand automatic voter registration, stop dark money in Colorado elections, and bolster our cyber security to ensure the integrity of our voting systems. HOW DOES YOUR EXPERIENCE PREPARE YOU FOR THE DUTIES OF THIS OFFICE? JENA GRISWOLD I ve worked on Colorado elections on multiple election cycles. I understand how elections work. I m also an attorney and small business owner myself--i have my own legal practice. One of the reasons I m running is to ensure that small businesses and entrepreneurs have the tools that they need and that government bureaucracy doesn t stand in the way of their success. WAYNEWWILLIAMS18@GMAIL.COM WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE VOTERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? As Secretary of State, Wayne Williams has made Colorado #1 in nation in voter registration & safety of elections, lowest business fees, and top 4 in voter turnout. CO added 100,000 businesses with Wayne as Secretary. Endorsed by Democrat, Republican, & unaffiliated clerks. Wayne & his wife Holly have 4 children. HOW DOES YOUR EXPERIENCE PREPARE YOU FOR THE DUTIES OF THIS OFFICE? WAYNE WILLIAMS Only one who has run elections & only Certified Elections/Registration Administrator. Hired by both Democrats & Republicans to run elections. El Paso County Clerk, Small business owner. Washington Post: Colorado safest state to cast a vote. Gazette: Wayne Williams leads country s fairest election system. 6 VOTERS GUIDE

7 SURVEY ANSWERS BY SECRETARY OF STATE CANDIDATES KEY TO ANSWERS D = Democratic R = Republican S = Support O = Oppose U = Undecided = Declined to Respond * and ** = answers and comments displayed at: Review candidate comments/notes/citations at 1. Do you support or oppose requiring a government issued ID in order to cast a vote? 2. Do you support or oppose mailing ballots to inactive voters? 3. Do you support or oppose citizens being able to propose laws through the current citizen initiative process? 4. Do you support or oppose churches and other qualified religious organizations continuing to receive tax-exempt status? 5. Do you support or oppose increasing the advertising budget for the Colorado lottery in an effort to increase lottery ticket sales? SECRETARY OF STATE PARTY QUESTION # Wayne Williams R S * O* S* S* U* Jena Griswold** D VOTERS GUIDE 7

8 CANDIDATES FOR TREASURER WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE VOTERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? CANDIDATE DID NOT RESPOND HOW DOES YOUR EXPERIENCE PREPARE YOU FOR THE DUTIES OF THIS OFFICE? DAVE YOUNG WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE VOTERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? I want to be a citizen Treasurer. A Statesman. As such, I have committed to not take a salary from the government if elected. I will be a steward of our state and its budget because every dollar matters. My faith guides me in my approach to money, service to our community, commitment to integrity, and love of others. HOW DOES YOUR EXPERIENCE PREPARE YOU FOR THE DUTIES OF THIS OFFICE? BRIAN WATSON I am not a politician, but am a self-made entrepreneur with decades of experience managing hundreds of millions of dollars in assets, restructuring complex debt, as well as overseeing large investments throughout Colorado and the country. 8 VOTERS GUIDE

9 SURVEY ANSWERS BY TREASURER CANDIDATES KEY TO ANSWERS D = Democratic R = Republican S = Support O = Oppose U = Undecided = Declined to Respond * and ** = answers and comments displayed at: Review candidate comments/notes/citations at 1. Do you support or oppose TABOR? 2. Do you support or oppose the recent legislatively approved changes to Colorado s PERA? 3. Do you support or oppose increasing the advertising budget for the Colorado lottery in an effort to increase lottery ticket sales? 4. Do you support or oppose Colorado legalizing sports betting? 5. Do you support or oppose the state of Colorado withholding funding to Sanctuary Cities that do not comply with federal immigration laws? TREASURER PARTY QUESTION # Brian Watson R S S* O O S Dave Young D VOTERS GUIDE 9

10 CANDIDATES FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE VOTERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? CANDIDATE DID NOT RESPOND HOW DOES YOUR EXPERIENCE PREPARE YOU FOR THE DUTIES OF THIS OFFICE? PHIL WEISER WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE VOTERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? I am a middle class kid from Lakewood. To help pay for college, I earned a U.S. Army ROTC scholarship and took it to CU. I am the elected DA for more than 1 million people. I have been mobilized to active duty twice since 9/11 and currently serve as Colonel in the Army National Guard. My wife, Marcia, and I have four kids. HOW DOES YOUR EXPERIENCE PREPARE YOU FOR THE DUTIES OF THIS OFFICE? GEORGE BRAUCHLER When hiring a top enforcer of CO s laws, there is no substitute for experience. I am the only candidate who has ever practiced law in CO and I have a record as DA of accomplishment, not rhetoric or mere lecturing, that I will take with me to the AG office to keep our families safe, uphold the law and represent all of CO. 10 VOTERS GUIDE

11 SURVEY ANSWERS BY ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATES KEY TO ANSWERS D = Democratic R = Republican S = Support O = Oppose U = Undecided = Declined to Respond * and ** = answers and comments displayed at: Review candidate comments/notes/citations at 1. Do you support or oppose the religious beliefs of a person being permitted to influence the decisions they make while serving in public office? 2. Do you support or oppose the state of Colorado providing funding to Sanctuary Cities that do not comply with federal immigration laws? 3. Do you support or oppose churches and other qualified religious organizations continuing to receive tax-exempt status? 4. Do you support or oppose business owners being able to legally decline to use their artistic or creative talents to celebrate events that go against their personal beliefs? 5. Do you support or oppose the Office of the Attorney General having the authority to investigate Planned Parenthood? 6. Do you support or oppose repealing TABOR? ATTORNEY GENERAL PARTY QUESTION # George Brauchler R Phil Weiser D VOTERS GUIDE 11

12 SURVEY ANSWERS BY STATE SENATE CANDIDATES KEY TO ANSWERS D = Democratic R = Republican S = Support O = Oppose U = Undecided = Declined to Respond * and ** = answers and comments displayed at: Review candidate comments/notes/citations at In 325 characters or less, what would you like the voters to know about you? * In 325 characters or less, how would you assure qualified persons are appointed to regulatory positions and commissions? * 1. Do you support or oppose the religious beliefs of a person being permitted to influence the decisions they make while serving in public office? 2. Do you support or oppose public funding, including Medicaid, for Planned Parenthood? 3. Do you support or oppose churches and other qualified religious organizations continuing to receive tax-exempt status? 4. Do you support or oppose increasing the advertising budget for the Colorado lottery in an effort to increase lottery ticket sales? 5. Do you support or oppose business owners being able to legally decline to use their artistic or creative talents to celebrate events that go against their personal beliefs? 6. Do you support or oppose the state of Colorado withholding funding to Sanctuary Cities that do not comply with federal immigration laws? STATE SENATE PARTY QUESTION # DIST 1 DIST 2 Debra Gustafson** D U* S* S* U* O* O* Jerry Sonnenberg R Beth Hart Harz** D S* S* S* U* S* O* Dennis Hisey** R S O S O S S 12 VOTERS GUIDE

13 STATE SENATE PARTY QUESTION # DIST 34 DIST 32 DIST 30 DIST 24 DIST 22 DIST 20 DIST 16 DIST 15 DIST 13 DIST 11 DIST 9 DIST 7 DIST 6 DIST 5 D3 Leroy M. Garcia D Kerry Donovan D Olen Lund R Guinn Unger Jr.** D O* S* S* O* O* O* Don Coram R Chris Kennedy D Ray Scott R Gil Armendariz D Paul Lundeen** R S O S O S S Pete Lee D Pat McIntire** R S O S U S S Phil Kelley D John Cooke** R S O S U S S Rebecca Cranston D Rob Woodward R Tammy Story D Tim Neville** R S* O S O S S Jessie Danielson D Christine Jensen** R S O S O S S Brittany Pettersen D Tony Sanchez** R S O S O S S Faith Winter D Beth Martinez Humenik** R * O* S O* * S* Julia Varnell-Sarjeant D Chris Holbert** R S O S O S S* Robert Rodriguez D Mark Calonder** R S O S O S S Julia Gonzales D Gordon Alley** R S O S O S S VOTERS GUIDE 13

14 SURVEY ANSWERS BY STATE HOUSE CANDIDATES KEY TO ANSWERS D = Democratic R = Republican S = Support O = Oppose U = Undecided = Declined to Respond * and ** = answers and comments displayed at: Review candidate comments/notes/citations In 325 characters or less, what would you like the voters to know about you? * In 325 characters or less, how does your experience prepare you for the duties of this office?* 1. Do you support or oppose the religious beliefs of a person being permitted to influence the decisions they make while serving in public office? 2. Do you support or oppose public funding, including Medicaid, for Planned Parenthood? 3. Do you support or oppose churches and other qualified religious organizations continuing to receive tax-exempt status? 4. Do you support or oppose increasing the advertising budget for the Colorado lottery in an effort to increase lottery ticket sales? 5. Do you support or oppose business owners being able to legally decline to use their artistic or creative talents to celebrate events that go against their personal beliefs? 6. Do you support or oppose the state of Colorado withholding funding to Sanctuary Cities that do not comply with federal immigration laws? STATE HOUSE PARTY QUESTION # DIST 5 DIST 4 DIST 3 D2 DIST 1 Susan Lontine D Alysia Padilla R Alec Garnett D Jeff Bridges D Toren Mushovic R Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez D Robert "Dave" John** R S O S O S S Alex Valdez D Katherine E. Whitney R 14 VOTERS GUIDE

15 STATE HOUSE PARTY QUESTION # DIST 21 DIST 20 DIST 19 DIST 18 DIST 17 DIST 16 DIST 15 DIST 14 DIST 13 DIST 12 DIST 11 DIST 10 DIST 9 D8 DIST 7 D6 Chris Hansen D James Rashad Coleman D Jay Frank Kucera R Leslie Herod D Emily Sirota D Bob Lane R Edie Hooton D Murl S. Hendrickson IV** R S O* S* O* S* S Jonathan Singer D Brian O. Donahue R Sonya Jaquez Lewis D David Reid Ross** R U* O S O* S S* K.C. Becker D Kevin Sipple** R S* O* S* U* S* S* Paul J. Haddick D Shane Sandridge** R S O S O S S Brenda Krause D Dave Williams** R S* O* S O S* S* Andrew Smith D Larry G. Liston** R S* O* S* U S* S* Thomas "Tony" Exum Sr.** D Kit Roupe R S* * S* O S S Marc A. Snyder D Mary Elizabeth Fabian** R S* O S O S* S Asia M. Zanders D Tim Geitner R S* O S O S S Kent Edward Jarnig** D S* S* S S U* O* Terri Carver** R S O S O* S* S Liz Rosenbaum D Lois Landgraf** R U* O* S* O S* S VOTERS GUIDE 15

16 STATE HOUSE PARTY QUESTION # DIST 36 DIST 35 DIST 34 DIST 33 DIST 32 DIST 31 DIST 30 DIST 29 DIST 28 DIST 27 DIST 26 DIST 25 DIST 24 DIST 23 DIST 22 Todd Kastetter D Colin Larson R Chris Kennedy D Joan Poston** R S* O* S U S* S* Monica Duran D Arthur Erwin** R S* U* U* O S S Lisa A. Cutter D Steve Szutenbach** R S O S O S S Dylan Roberts D Nicki Mills** R S O* S O S S Brianna Titone D Vicki Pyne** R S* O S O S U Kerry Tipper D Kristina Joy Alley** R S O S O S S Tracy Kraft-Tharp D Grady Nouis** R U O S O S* S* Dafna Michaelson Jenet D Susan Kochevar R Yadira Caraveo D Rico Figueroa R Adrienne Benavidez D Kim Bishop R Matt Gray D Eric Rutherford** R S U* S* O* S* S* Kyle Mullica D Alexander "Skinny" Winkler** R S O S U* S* S* Shannon Bird D Bruce Baker** R * * * O S S Mike Weissman D Richard J. Bowman** R S O S O S S 16 VOTERS GUIDE

17 STATE HOUSE PARTY QUESTION # DIST 43 DIST 42 DIST 41 DIST 40 DIST 39 DIST 38 DIST 37 Tom Sullivan D Cole Wist** R S O S O S S Chris Kolker D Susan Beckman R Kamala Vanderkolk D Mark Baisley** R S* O* S* O* S* S* Janet Buckner D Richard Allen Bassett R Jovan Melton D Dahlia Jean Weinstein R Dominique Jackson D Mike Donald R Barrett Rothe D Kevin Van Winkle R S* O S O S S DIST 51 DIST 50 DIST 49 DIST 48 DIST 47 DIST 46 DIST 45 DIST 44 Simone Aiken D U* S* S* O* U* O* Kim Ransom** R S O S O S S Danielle Kombo** D O S U O O O Patrick Neville** R S O S O S S Daneya Esgar D Jonathan Ambler** R S* O S* O* S* S* Bri Buentello D Don Bendell** R S* O S O S S Gbenga Ajiboye** D O S S O O O Stephen Alan Humphrey** R S O S O S S Conor Duffy D Perry L. Buck** R S O S* U S S Rochelle Galindo D Michael A. Thuener** R S* O S O S S* Joan Shaffer D Hugh McKean** R S* O S O S S VOTERS GUIDE 17

18 STATE HOUSE PARTY QUESTION # DIST 65 DIST 64 DIST 63 DIST 62 DIST 61 DIST 60 D59 DIST 58 DIST 57 DIST 56 DIST 55 DIST 54 D53 DIST 52 Joann Ginal D Donna Walter** R S* S* S* O* U* S* Jeni Arndt D Erin Shipp D Matt Soper R Tanya Travis D Janice Rich** R U* U* S O* U* S Dave Rose** D U* S* U* O U* O* Rod Bockenfeld** R S* O* S* U* S* U* Colin Wilhelm** D Bob Rankin R Seth Cagin D Marc Catlin R Barbara McLachlan D Erin Kelley D James D. "Jim" Wilson** R Julie McCluskie D Mike Mason** R S* O* S* O S* S* Don Valdez** D S S S O S O Scott Honeycutt** R S* O S O S S Brandon D. Bobian D Lori A. Saine** R S O S O S S Teri Nilson Baird** D U S U* U O* O Kimmi Lewis R Bethleen McCall D Rod Pelton** R S* O* S O S S 18 VOTERS GUIDE

19 SURVEY ANSWERS BY BOARD OF ED CANDIDATES KEY TO ANSWERS D = Democratic R = Republican S = Support O = Oppose U = Undecided = Declined to Respond * and ** = answers and comments displayed at: Review candidate comments/notes/citations at In 325 characters or less, what would you like the voters to know about you? * In 325 characters or less, how does your experience prepare you for the duties of this office? * 1. Do you support or oppose requiring the same benefits and advantages to all student groups, including those which require their leadership to subscribe to the moral or religious values of the group? 2. Do you support or oppose requiring parents to affirmatively opt their children in to comprehensive sex education curriculum as opposed to opting out? 3. Do you support or oppose prohibiting public support of charter schools? 4. Do you support or oppose the state of Colorado providing funding To Sanctuary Cities that do not comply with federal immigration laws? 5. Do you support or oppose the religious beliefs of a person being permitted to influence the decisions they make while serving in public office? BOARD OF ED PARTY QUESTION # DIST 2 DIST 4 Angelika Schroeder D Johnny Barrett** R S O* S* O* S* Tim Krug** D S U O U S Debora L. Scheffel** R S S O U* U VOTERS GUIDE 19

20 SURVEY ANSWERS BY CU REGENT CANDIDATES KEY TO ANSWERS D = Democratic R = Republican S = Support O = Oppose U = Undecided = Declined to Respond * and ** = answers and comments displayed at: Review candidate comments/notes/citations at In 325 characters or less, what would you like the voters to know about you? * In 325 characters or less, how does your experience prepare you for the duties of this office? * 1. Do you support or oppose requiring the same benefits and advantages to all student groups, including those which require their leadership to subscribe to the moral or religious values of the group? 2. Do you support or oppose prohibiting concealed carry weapons on college campuses? 3. Do you support or oppose the religious beliefs of a person being permitted to influence the decisions they make while serving in public office? 4. Do you support or oppose the state of Colorado providing funding to Sanctuary Cities that do not comply with federal immigration laws? CU REGENT PARTY QUESTION # DIST 3 STATE DIST 5 Lesley Smith D Ken Montera R Alvin Rivera D Glen H. Gallegos** R Tony Wolusky D Chance Hill R 20 VOTERS GUIDE