Nine Democrats are vying to be appointed to the state Senate seat vacated by Denver attorney Jennifer Veiga, who resigned to move to Australia.
Her successor will be chosen tonight by the Senate District 31 vacancy committee. The district includes central Denver and portions of Adams County.
The candidates are:
Patrick Byrne
Age: 28
Occupation: Fiscal policy analyst at the Colorado Department of Transportation
Time in district: Two years
Why you? I am ideally suited to do this because of my budget experience in municipal, county and state government in Colorado.
Jill Conrad
Age: 40
Occupation: Ph.D. student in educational policy, education consultant, at-large member of the Denver Public Schools Board of Education
Time in district: Six years
Why you? I want to create new opportunities for everyone in the community to become engaged and empowered in our government, our schools, our communities and our state.
Butch Hicks
Age: 53
Occupation: Bus driver, revenue instructor
Time in district: 13 years
Why you? I have a proven record of taking on the tough issues, as the first minority elected to Westminster City Council.
John Maslanik
Age: 54
Occupation: Investment manager
Time in district: 15 years
Why you? I should be picked because of my long record of Democratic Party service, neighborhood activism and knowledge of finance, economics and politics.
Ann Ragsdale
Age: 72
Occupation: “Average housewife,” former state lawmaker representing Westminster
Time in district: 51 years
Why you? I understand reapportionment and congressional redistricting, and both are coming up.
Alex Sanchez
Age: 28
Occupation: Director of communications, Denver Public Schools
Time in district: More than five years
Why you? My passion comes from my personal experiences — growing up in a family of immigrants, overcoming obstacles as a first-generation American, going from a struggling student and English-language learner to being the first to graduate from college and enter corporate America.
Pat Steadman
Age: 45
Occupation: Attorney, registered lobbyist and a partner in the political consulting firm of Mendez, Steadman & Associates Inc.
Time in district: Almost 20 years
Why you? I have a thorough understanding of the role of a state legislator and the challenges facing our state, and I am a strong advocate for issues of importance to constituents in this district.
Doug Williams
Age: 63
Occupation: Realtor/ contractor/designer
Time in district: 13 years
Why you? At my age I have no political aspirations beyond this seat, and some of the other candidates do.
John Wren
Age: 62
Occupation: Business consultant, adult educator and community organizer
Time in district: 10 years
Why you? The issues that I’ll be addressing in this campaign include strengthening our wonderful Colorado caucus for nominating local candidates to the primary ballot and forming a nonprofit organization to advocate for mass transit from Denver into the mountains, starting with the restoration of the Ski Train.
Responses were edited for length and clarity.
