Colorado
| Colorado Legislature | ||
Democrats |
Republicans |
|
| Senate | ||
| 2006 | 18 |
17 |
| 2008 | 20 |
15 |
| Today | 21 |
14 |
| House | ||
| 2006 | 35 |
30 |
| 2008 | 40 |
25 |
| Today | 38 |
27 |
According to the Almanac of American Politics, Colorado is "at the front edge of economic, cultural and political change." Unfortunately for progressives, the political change that's occurred since the 1990's has come in the form of right-wing politics — dominated by religious and social conservatives who have, in turn, soured the national political debate.
This is truly a state where we are at a stand off — one side wins and one side loses — and who wins can shape the electoral mood of the country.
That's why Progressive Majority set up shop in Colorado — to bring true progressives into politics and create positive change that would last. We're recruiting progressive leaders to run for office who can also galvanize progressive voters who have been shut down by the loud voices of the ultra-conservative right.
Colorado remains a battleground state despite its vocal right-wing movement. Progressive Majority is tapping an emerging demographic that leans progressive, recruiting candidates they can connect to, and building a progressive power base that will take control of the state — and keep it.
2009 Elected Candidate
Rachel Zenzinger
Elected to Arvada City Council - Ward 1 (Open Seat)
Rachel Zenzinger was successful in her bid for the open seat in Ward 1 of the Arvada City Council. Arvada is a city of about 100,000 people located in the highly targeted Jefferson and Adams counties. She is a former teacher and member of the Colorado Education Association, working at a local middle school and serving as coordinator of the expelled program for the local school district. Currently, she is engaged in volunteer activities while she is raising her two young daughters; she works at Catholic Charities for the chief operating officer. She's a graduate of the White House Project. She ran a strong campaign against two conservative opponents.
2008 Elected Candidates
Joe Neguse
Elected to University of Colorado Board of Regent - District 2 (Open Seat)
Joe Neguse was a first-time candidate running for the University of Colorado Board of Regents to represent Congressional District 2. Joe is a young, African American law student at the University of Colorado. He was appointed by the Boulder City Council as a Commissioner on the Boulder Housing Authority, and is a co-founder and former Board Chair of New Era, Colorado, an organization that engages young people around voter registration and mobilization. Congressional District 2 encompasses Boulder, the northern Denver suburbs and about four counties on the western slope. Joe's election will bring a more progressive, diverse voice to the board. He was endorsed by numerous elected officials at all levels of government, labor groups and prominent community members.
Dan Gibbs
Elected to State Senate - District 16 (Incumbent)
Eagle, Summit & Lake counties
Dan Gibbs was appointed to Senate District 16 when Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald resigned her seat to run for congress. This was an important seat for the senate to protect. Senate District 16 is a large district which encompasses both sides of the continental divide and goes from Jefferson/Boulder counties to Summit County. Progressive Majority successfully fielded Dan in 2006 when he ran for the House of Representatives. Dan is a 32 year-old former congressional staffer and forest firefighter. He is a champion on environmental issues around both renewable energies and the bark beetle. Dan ran against a businessman, who is relatively unknown, but pushed a very pro-business agenda.
Evie Hudak
Elected to State Senate - District 19 (Open Seat)
Arvada, Westminster
Evie Hudak was elected to Senate District 19. She is a retired educator who has spent the last 20 years working to build a stronger early education program in Colorado. She has twice been elected to the State Board of Education. District 19 was held by term-limited progressive Senator Sue Windels, who ran for Jefferson County Commissioner. Her opponent was Libby Szabo, a right-wing conservative. Evie is strong voice for children and will lead on educational issues. This was an important race for the State Senate and generated quite a bit of attention and resources from both candidates and their supporters.
Joe Miklosi
Elected to State Representative - District 9 (Open Seat)
Southeast Denver
Joe Miklosi, former Progressive Majority Colorado State Director, was elected to State House District 9. The incumbent Democrat was a term-limited moderate who ran for higher office - State Senate. The district is located in Southeast Denver and is comprised of older, stable neighborhoods with a large Jewish population. Joe will bring passion, dedication and a progressive voice to all House District 9 residents. He secured the top line on the ballot through the caucus process, and was out walking and talking to voters every day.
Dennis Apuan
Elected to State Representative - District 17 (Open Seat)
Western El Paso County
Dennis Apuan was a first-time candidate running for House District 17 in Western El Paso County. A member of the Asian-Pacific Islander community, he has a strong background in community organizing and brings a base of grass-roots support. His top issues are economic justice, development of renewable energy sources and affordable healthcare. District 17 is a unique district in that it encompasses a large military base. Dennis is a strong progressive and will be another voice for progressive issues in the Statehouse.
Dianne Primavera
Elected to State Representative - District 33 (Incumbent)
Broomfield, Louisville, Erie, Superior, Westminster
Representative Dianne Primavera was re-elected to the state House in District 33. Dianne is a progressive leader on healthcare issues and needs to return to the Capitol to finish the job she started. She received the Colorado Legislator Award from the CO Women's Chamber of Commerce and Denver Women's Commission. This year her opponent was Nick Kleibenstein, a graduate of the Leadership of the Rockies, a very conservative leadership training group in Colorado. Rep. Primavera represents a key county in the state and one where Progressive Majority has worked on both state and city races. Dianne is a passionate, dedicated and hard working progressive legislator.
Su Ryden
Elected to State Representative - District 36 (Open Seat)
Araphoe County
Su Ryden was a first-time candidate elected to House District 36 in Arapahoe County. Su is a business owner and community activist involved in the arts and historic preservation. House District 36 has had progressive representation for the last four years with Morgan Carroll, who ran for state Senate. Morgan is a strong progressive leader and Su's election will provide that continued progressive leadership. Su is a champion of economic opportunity, healthcare and transportation. She has been endorsed by several federal, state and local elected officials as well as by AFSCME, UTU, CEA and the AFL-CIO.
Wally White
Elected to La Plata County Commissioner - District 3 (Incumbent)
Commissioner Wally White was re-elected to the La Plata County Commission. Wally is a long-time community activist and a llama farmer. Over the last 20 years he has served the La Plata County communities on a number of local planning commissions and boards. La Plata County is a largely rural county in southwest Colorado that includes the city of Durango. Wally is a champion of planning, water and oil and gas regulations issues, all of which are top priority in this rural county. He was endorsed by numerous community leaders. La Plata County has been a priority area for Progressive Majority, in 2006 we successfully fielded Joelle Riddle for La Plata County Commission. Wally's continued leadership is important in this corner of the state.
Monisha Merchant
Elected to University of Colorado Board of Regent - District 7 (Challenger)
Monisha Merchant is a 31 year-old runningwho was elected to the University of Colorado Board of Regents in Congressional District 7. She is a director of product management for Level 3 Communications and has a long history of political involvement, most recently in the Democratic presidential campaign. Monisha is a late addition to the ballot, replacing the original candidate who dropped out of the race. Her opponent is a Republican and current Chairperson of the Board of Regents. Monisha is dedicated to providing quality higher education to CU students, improving economic justice and opportunities within the university system and promoting the University of Colorado as a world-class research and development institution.