Why are you seeking public office?
To increase awareness of libertarian ideas and the Lbertarian Party.
What will your top three priorities be if elected?
1. Reduce the role of government.
2. Promote individual liberty.
3. Make politics less nasty.
Do you support some type of public option health insurance or Medicare for All at the state level? If so, which and why? If not, why not?
In principle, I support neither, because I believe that if permitted to work free market solutions could provide better alternatives.
Have your views on policing and racism in Colorado changed this year? If so, how?
My views have not changed, but they have been reinforced. I’m glad that the issue is receiving much needed attention.
Do you place a greater importance on addressing climate change or preserving Colorado’s oil and gas industry? What steps would you take on these issues as a lawmaker?
The question assumes a false premise. As a lawmaker, I would take no steps to preserve any particular industry, (oil and gas or any other), but I would seek to help make Colorado liberty-friendly, and therefore business friendly in general.
Global climate change is real and is one area where some government action may be justified on libertarian grounds. The devil is in the details. I am not opposed to every possible measure in a knee-jerk, doctrinaire way.
Should Colorado consider any new gun laws? If so, which do you support?
No.
Why are you seeking public office?
I’m the current Representative in HD6. I was an infant when my dad passed away. Thankfully my mom was able to teach public school, and we had the social safety net. I’ve been able to live the American Dream due to the investment made in me, and now I’m here to pay it forward. I understand what it means to represent all of HD6. We need leaders committed to expanding opportunities and leveling the playing field. This race is very much about the type of future we secure, and I’m committed to leaving it better than we found it.
What will your top three priorities be if elected?
These have recently changed due to COVID-19 and the pressing need to address multiple crises:
1. Supporting students and teachers navigating new learning environments
2. Protecting and securing our local economy and small businesses
3. Access to healthcare for all Coloradans to ensure the health and safety of our communities
Do you support some type of public option health insurance or Medicare for All at the state level? If so, which and why? If not, why not?
I do support a Single Payer Improved Medicare for All health care finance system. We have examples from around the world — Canada, Israel, Germany, Japan, France etc. — all of whom have figured out how to deliver better healthcare outcomes for a fraction of the cost. Healthcare is a human right, and I supported efforts last session to create a public option and will continue to support such efforts this coming term.
Have your views on policing and racism in Colorado changed this year? If so, how?
Not really. For years now data and video evidence have exposed our policing issues. Police officers have an exceptionally difficult job, but we cannot allow the current system to continue without reform. Over 1,000 people per year lose their lives to US law enforcement. Here in CO 42 people lost their lives to the police in 2018 alone. That is 4 times more than all of Germany (pop. 82 million) that year. This erodes public trust. I proudly co-sponsored Colorado’s law enforcement accountability bill (SB217) and will continue to advocate for equity, justice, and a return to community policing.
Do you place a greater importance on addressing climate change or preserving Colorado’s oil and gas industry? What steps would you take on these issues as a lawmaker?
Combating climate change is a top priority of my campaign and my efforts in the legislature. I support linking CO’s major population centers by clean, high speed rail and cities like Denver should have street cars, light rail, and even subways. Fewer cars means less traffic and less pollution. I support retiring older coal plants and transitioning away from natural gas to renewables. I also support stiffer fines when companies are caught polluting AND collecting those fines. We also need to look at how our businesses and homes are heated and supplied energy. While some running for office actually work in the oil and gas industry, I don’t, and I’m not a candidate who will engage in corporate protectionism. We have too much at stake and have ignored the climate crisis for far too long.
Should Colorado consider any new gun laws? If so, which do you support?
Yes. It was very upsetting that we were unable to pass any new gun legislation last session due to our intense focus on our COVID response. We had two bills — safe storage and reporting lost and stolen firearms, that we absolutely must pass. I also support a 5-day waiting period on firearms purchases (which would also close the so-called “Charleston Loophole” that allows purchasers to get guns regardless of their criminal history if the background check takes more than 3 days) as well as ending State-level preemption that bars local governments from enacting tougher gun laws.
Bill McAleb has not returned the questionnaire.
