HELLO COLORADO KOSSA—ER UH Kosserians! It’s been awhile.
I’ve become deliciously detached from the drumpster fire that is our national-level politics. I mean, sure, I’m aware of it, and get in on the Indivisible-organized calling campaigns, but there is a relational, community-oriented magic to local and state politics that is so rewarding… and time-consuming, yep, especially when you become a volunteer campaign manager for a city council candidate. One’s investment goes so much further as a County Party volunteer, and as a volunteer for smaller district races. Plus—and I cannot stress this enough—it’s actually possible to talk with people who don’t automatically distrust you & want you to go away during these odd-year elections, when there are no federal and state ad campaigns bugging the crap out of everyone. The ability to ask people what’s on their mind when it comes to their city lets them know they are listened to, and that commodity is only increasing in value. So it’s been fun, and hopefully it will pay off on November 7.
This year, our new State Party Chair, Morgan Carroll—who in a better world would have defeated Mike Coffman and be currently representing Colorado’s 6th Congressional District—recognizes the importance of building both local community and our political bench by promoting Democrats in nonpartisan races. While the Party cannot officially endorse one Dem over another in a nonpartisan race, the Party certainly can and SHOULD list all the Dems running so that people know (well, at least this is true in blue-purple areas).
The Colorado Democratic Party partnered with our Indivisible groups, and Democracy Enter — Colorado, to pull together, entirely with volunteers, a statewide resource attempting to catalog ALL local races in ALL districts. This is the Indivisible Front Range Resistance Wiki, and while I can’t affirm that we did get every single one, our crew did GREAT. See the results for yourself, and use them. You can also volunteer for a local race through the Colorado Dems website via our Adopt-A-Campaign push.
Now, on to those candidates who I personally know and strongly support: I am asking you to support them too. I have seen them work and know their dedication & their causes.
THORNTON:
In Ward 4, Suzie Brundage is running against a literal fracker of an incumbent Republican. This incumbent (also a woman, so some people have been confused) is also chair of a major and highly problematic charter school. Suzie is a licensed clinical social worker who grew up in Thornton, and she really needs your vote, and if you’re so inclined, your volunteer power.
In Ward 3, David Acunto is a Westminster police officer who also wants to keep fracking out of the city; he’s up against both an unaffiliated incumbent who is all over the map, and a man with a compelling immigration/refugee story who is nonetheless a Republican getting Koch money. Don’t be fooled!
AURORA: Our most diverse city has our least diverse and highly Republican council. This must change. There are MANY candidates, and some races with more than one Dem, but these are the progressive folks we need to win:
At Large: Allison Hiltz is THE progressive in this race, the only one to stand up and affirm that she would vote to make Aurora a sanctuary city (the council has previously declared it is NOT).
Ward 1: Crystal Murillo is running against an incumbent Trumper in a highly diverse ward that is home to many of Aurora’s immigrants. We HAVE to win this one.
Ward 2: Nicole Johnston stands out in our field of amazing women candidates: community activist, single mom of three, grad student, grant writer. Did I mention she’s running for council? Vote for the only woman on the Ward 2 section of the ballot, vote Nicole!
Ward 3: Martha Lugo is one of three female Democrats running against one incumbent female Republican. It’s gonna be rough. But if I’ve seen grassroots energy behind any of them, it’s Martha. Line up!
WESTMINSTER: All seats are At Large. We have three Dems running for three seats; you need to vote for all three!
Incumbent Emma Pinter is part of an Emerge-powered progressive movement in Westminster. Council has done great things, and is poised to do so again if the C.A.V.E. people are prevented from pulling off an upset. In addition to Emma, challengers Jackson Dreiling and Kathryn Skulley are great and dedicated people who need to join Council. Help them out!
NORTHGLENN:
Ward 2: Danielle Henry is up against the (Dem) Mayor, who was on Council before being Mayor, and is now trying to get on Council again. C’MON, HANG IT UP. Help a young progressive win!
Ward 3: Julie Mullica is the only Dem, hooray! Vote in confidence.
Ward 4: formerly of Emerge, Jenny Wilford has put in a ton of work to recruit and elect progressive women.
MAYOR: Northglenn needs a labor voice, and that voice is UFCW’s Debbie Olander.
LAKEWOOD:
Ward 1: Kyra deGruy (said “degree”) needs our support! The incumbent is a former GOP state rep who is proposing a moratorium on high density housing—as in, Lakewood is for middle and upper class families, you poors stay out.
Ward 2: Jacob LaBure has been campaigning hard and needs to be on Council as an advocate for sustainable development.
BROOMFIELD: oil & gas are desperate to control this council. Don’t let them! I don’t know all of these folks personally, but I do know Deven & Guyleen, and I am comfortable recommending this slate on their advice & that of Broomfield activists:
Ward 1: James Marsh-Holschen
Ward 2: Sharon Tessier (incumbent)
Ward 3: Deven Schaff
Ward 4: Brian Devine
Ward 5: Guyleen Castriota
MAYOR: T.J. Cole
Issue 301: YES (bonus, I know)
COMMERCE CITY:
Ward 3: Tawnya Russell works in a nearby municipal government, and is a strong advocate for kids in challenging environments.
Other Democrats: Eugene Leffel in Ward 1, and Jose Guardiola & Harvest Thomas running At Large.
ARVADA:
At Large: Jordan Hohenstein is the only progressive council candidate this cycle. D’OH! So make sure people know.
SCHOOL BOARDS: DENVER, ADAMS/ARAPAHOE, DOUGLAS, JEFFERSON
I recommend Our Denver Our Schools for information on which DPS candidates are hedge-fund-ed reformers bent on a DeVos-lite agenda, and who aren’t.
I also strongly recommend for those of you in 28J, Aurora's A Team; the slate of Leung, Schor, Holtzmann, and Graziano in Douglas County; and the slate of Harmon, Mitchell, and Rupert who were elected to a half-term during the highly successful anti-Tea Party recall of 2015.
In Adams, re-elect Kathy Plomer in Adams 12 , Bill Hyde and Brian Reichel in Adams 14, and Ryan McCoy and Joseph Davidek for Westminster Public Schools.
Thanks for reading! Please share. Now, off to the doors to make sure the lit don’t blow away...