What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
Cost of living — gas, groceries and housing inflation is really hurting JeffCo families.
Crime – the defund the police and soft on crime movements from our current leaders has made crime skyrocket in Colorado. We have to get our law enforcement the support and training they need to serve our communities.
Education – A school choice it’s also imperative that parents have a voice in their child’s education.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
I hope we can find common ground on education, transportation, crime and making America energy independent again.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
I believe my active duty service as a Marine will bring a different perspective to the state legislature.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
While a lot of our housing costs are driven by local concerns, the state needs to make every effort to reform and cut red tape that makes starter homes like condos, townhomes etc. more affordable. I worry that my kids won’t be able to join the home ownership club with some changes.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
Fentanyl is a poison and we should have zero tolerance for it. Period. When the Democrats decriminalized possession of enough fentanyl to kill 2,000 people, I was shocked, angered and worried. We must revisit the bill they passed last year as it did not solve this problem. Coloradans deserve better.
Sheila Lieder and Brian Bakkum have not returned the questionnaire.
How candidate order was determined: A lot drawing was held at the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office on Aug. 3 to determine the general election ballot order for major and minor party candidates. Colorado law (1-5-404, C.R.S.) requires that candidates are ordered on the ballot in three tiers: major party candidates followed by minor party candidates followed by unaffiliated candidates. Within each tier, the candidates are ordered by a lot drawing with the exception of the office of Governor and Lt. Governor, which are ordered by the last name of the gubernatorial candidate.
