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Tony Exum (i)Democrat
Residence: Colorado Springs
Profession: Firefighter (retired); State Senator
Education: Bachelor of Science, Social Science
Experience: After serving 35+ years as a firefighter, I’ve served eight years in the House (as Rep. for HD17) and four years in the Senate.
What are your top three priorities, if elected?
From being an elected state legislator, I’ve learned different people have different urgent needs. Some people are unemployed and need immediate financial assistance. Other people are being poisoned by toxic chemicals and need clean drinking water. There isn’t just one or two pressing issues facing people in Senate District 11. There are many, and they all need immediate attention.
Which is why my top priorities as a state legislator have always been and continue to be these three things: supporting public education, protecting the environment, and helping low-income families, people of color, and the elderly live better lives.
What specific actions would you support to improve affordability for Coloradans, whether aimed at housing costs, tax burdens or other impacts?
In just the last few years alone, I’ve supported and passed bills to raise wages for workers, prevent price-gouging at grocery stores and other shops, increase the supply of and access to affordable housing, reduce the costs of electric and gas utilities, lower property tax rates and assessment values, reduce costs in healthcare, reduce costs in childcare, expand access to free Pre-K, and much more. I will continue working hard, finding new ways to help Coloradans save money everywhere we can.
Whether your party is in the majority or minority next year, where do you see actionable common ground with the opposing party?
Most of the bills I’ve sponsored in the state legislature have had Republicans join me as co-sponsors, and most of the bills I’ve passed in the state legislature passed with bipartisan support, some even with wide bipartisan support or unanimous votes. I’ve always been good at finding common ground with people who may disagree with me on other issues, and will continue doing such good outreach if I win reelection to the State Senate.
A new governor will take office next year. What opportunities are there for legislation or other changes that did not gain traction under Gov. Jared Polis?
None of the bills I’ve sponsored and passed in the state legislature were ever vetoed by Governor Polis, and in fact many of my bills were supported by the Governor’s office. I’m optimistic and confident my priorities and legislation will continue being supported by Colorado’s next Governor, too.
Janet TurnerLibertarian Party
Residence: Colorado Springs
Profession:Occupationaltherapist
Education: Bachelor of science
Experience: I am new to politics. I ran for county commissioner in District 5 some years ago. I served on the state board of the Libertarian Party and currently am serving on the board of LPEPC
What are your top three priorities, if elected?
Public schools should improve, but better education doesn’t necessarily require bigger government. We can pursue better results through choice, accountability, local control, and efficient use of existing resources.
Homelessness: Enforce existing laws, expand temporary shelter with partnerships, make it easier to build housing/rehab existing abandoned buildings.
Private charity, address addiction and mental illness.
Healthcare: Expand treatment for addiction and connect it with housing, employment, and recovery programs.
Measure outcomes, making sure healthcare programs actually improve patients’ health rather than simply increasing spending.
What specific actions would you support to improve affordability for Coloradans, whether aimed at housing costs, tax burdens or other impacts?
Protecting seniors from being priced out of their income-based assistance can prevent a wealthy homeowner from receiving the same benefit as a senior living on a fixed income. Help veterans keep more of whatap earned: specifically tax advantages. Reduce unnecessary zoning so private entities do not have to rely on government subsidies.
Whether your party is in the majority or minority next year, where do you see actionable common ground with the opposing party?
Libertarian party currently is in the minority. The key is to start with specific problems rather than ideological labels. For example, both sides might disagree about the proper size of government but agree that Colorado should have fewer homeless people, lower housing costs, better mental-health access, and less government waste. Then negotiate over the mechanisms.
A new governor will take office next year. What opportunities are there for legislation or other changes that did not gain traction under Gov. Jared Polis?
Depends on who is elected.
Levon Stilson did not return the questionnaire.
