Jason Crow
Democratic Party
AGE
41
RESIDENCE
Aurora
PROFESSION
Congressman for Colorado’s 6th District
EDUCATION
University of Wisconsin – Madison (BA); University of Denver (JD)
FAMILY
Married to Dr. Deserai Anderson Crow and father to Josephine (7) and Anderson (10)
EXPERIENCE
Currently serving in his first term of Congress; former Army Ranger, veterans advocate, and lawyer
Why are you seeking public office?
As CD6’s Representative, I have worked to restore trust in the government, held over 26 town halls, and rejected corporate PAC money. I’m also one of the few members of Congress to post my schedule publicly. Over the last two years, we’ve worked hard on the issues that matter most to Coloradans, from holding ICE accountable for conditions at detention centers, addressing gun violence, protecting coverage for preexisting conditions, or tackling the climate crisis, we have never backed down from the tough work.
In these turbulent times, CD6 deserves a servant leader who will work for the people, not special interests and I look forward to continuing to serve my community if elected to a second term.
What will your top three priorities be if elected?
As our country grapples with COVID-19, we must provide economic relief and full funding for testing, contact tracing, and vaccine research. We also must address the impact of big money in our politics by passing comprehensive campaign finance reform — ensuring quality affordable health care, passing immigration reform, ending the scourge of gun violence, and combating climate change all depends on our ability to end the influence of special interests. My third priority is addressing climate change. We’ve seen the impact of climate change on our communities and we need to make sure we’re working with an administration that believes in science and takes a fact-based approach.
Should the Affordable Care Act be replaced? If so, what would you replace it with?
We should preserve and build on the ACA, not throw it out. For too long, we have seen the negative influence of Big Pharma on Congress with several industry lobbyists on Capitol Hill for every member of Congress. Meanwhile, one in three Coloradans can’t afford to pay for their medication — which is why I co-led the Freedom from Price Gouging Act, which would prevent drug manufacturers from profiting off unreasonable price hikes.
Do you support a ban on fracking? Why or why not?
I support a rapid transition to 100% renewable energy, and oppose fracking on our protected, public lands, as we make investments in solutions such as wind and solar energy. America’s economy and environment both demand a forward-looking comprehensive energy policy that prioritizes a rapid transition to renewable energy while protecting American jobs and promoting economic growth.
What, if anything, should the federal government do to improve the economy?
The COVID-19 pandemic calls for an aggressive government response. It’s been over three months since we passed our latest COVID relief bill, the Heroes Act, which is sitting in the Senate while American families struggle to put food on the table and make rent. This is the public health and economic crisis of our generation and if we don’t provide the federal funding now to support hardworking families, build back our economy and invest in COVID-19 response, we are going to be facing a decade-plus-long recovery. In addition, we should invest heavily in infrastructure to ensure we have the infrastructure necessary to compete in the 21st century.
Do you support further federal restrictions on firearms? If so, which restrictions?
As a hunter and former Army Ranger, I know that there are many responsible gun owners in Colorado, but I also know what guns are capable of and that common-sense reforms are needed to reduce gun violence. It’s why I helped pass common-sense solutions that will make our churches, schools, homes, and communities safer from gun violence. As co-chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I helped secure $25 million in federal research funding for gun violence, helped pass the universal background checks act, introduced a bill that would close the loophole on interstate firearm sales, and stood with victims of gun violence by helping introduce legislation that would repeal gun sellers and manufacturers from liability.
Steven House
Republican Party
AGE
59
RESIDENCE
Brighton
PROFESSION
Healthcare Consultant
EDUCATION
BS, BA
FAMILY
Wife, share 6 children and 6 grandchildren
EXPERIENCE
Healthcare business executive. Former State GOP Chairman
Candidate for Governor in 2014
Why are you seeking public office?
I believe we can have a better life in America and I believe I have an opportunity to help make that happen with my background and experience especially in healthcare and business. I also believe socialism would irreparably damage our country and I am running to stop it in favor of using much education and real economic opportunity in the areas of our district that need them. Real healthcare reform and real education reform are necessary for the future of our families and children.
What will your top three priorities be if elected?
1. Reduce Healthcare Cost, improve access and raise quality.
2. Use innovation to bring our education system back to competitive world wide and at a level that enables dreams for our children.
3. Reform immigration policy to be more people centric and more effective.
Should the Affordable Care Act be replaced? If so, what would you replace it with?
It should ultimately be replaced but not initially. Replaced with a New American Healthcare plan that emphasizes transparency, market based pricing, enforcement of Safe Harbor protections, real incentives to be healthy, health insurance policy ownership, age based rating system, and more.
Do you support a ban on fracking? Why or why not?
No I do not support a ban on fracking. Fracking has enabled the world to reduce CO2 emissions because natural gas has a significantly lower CO2 to energy content. England and the US have seen strong reductions and fracking helps provide enough Natural gas. We have a number of proposals on improving the environment other than banning fracking we could share that clean up the earth and reduce CO2.
What, if anything, should the federal government do to improve the economy?
Manage the transition back to a full economy post CoVid with the use of some additional stimulus that focuses on bringing back businesses that have failed for lack of capital or market conditions. 41% of black owned small business has gone away and should be a target area. Once CoVid is over then manage back to fiscal responsibility and potentially implement a debt break to put future US economies on a stable footing.
Do you support further federal restrictions on firearms? If so, which restrictions?
I support significant improvements in the federal background check system which lacks data important to the background process. I support the implementation of new mental health resources and protocols in schools, in physician practices, and an educational program to reduce the stigma of seeking mental health support.
Norm Olsen
Libertarian Party
AGE
74
RESIDENCE
Centennial
PROFESSION
Retired Computer Programmer
EDUCATION
BS, Physics, 1967
FAMILY
Father of two, grandfather of seven
EXPERIENCE
45 Years as a computer programmer, 20 years of which as self employed business owner. Avocation is the study of how money is created, who creates it, and how is it put into circulation.
Why are you seeking public office?
The “Two Party System” is thoroughly corrupt and is destroying our republic. The evidence is clear: for decades the Congressional approval rating has languished at 20% while the incumbent reelection rate has been at 95+% level. The two major political parties are more interested in what benefits their party and, in turn, their individual political careers than what is in the best interest of the nation. I want our progeny, yours and mine, to inherit a government run by concerned citizens rather than a bunch of tired old political hacks.
What will your top three priorities be if elected?
Constitutional amendments and/or modifications of the Rules of the House of Representatives as necessary to conform to the rules by which the Colorado legislature lives by. Specifically:
1. Constitutional amendment establishing term limits for Senators and Representatives.
2. Continuing resolutions with regard to appropriations are prohibited.
3. Any bill must address a single issue, and once submitted the title of a bill may not be changed, and the content of any bill must remain true to its title.
Should the Affordable Care Act be replaced? If so, what would you replace it with?
Yes! So much of what the ACA was supposed to be has never been achieved: state exchanges, universal coverage, individual mandates, keep your plan, keep you doctor, annual premium reduction of $2,500, etc. Despite assurances of the proponents of the ACA to the contrary, it increased taxes on most all Americans. There is no right to healthcare. Healthcare is a valuable resource which must be nurtured, developed, and managed according to conflicting requirements such as availability, cost, price, and demand. Canada, the UK, France, Russia, and the ACA itself demonstrate that government cannot successfully perform this function unilaterally.
Do you support a ban on fracking? Why or why not?
No. Since the early 1970’s, virtually every viable politician has supported the “energy independence” objective. Now that we’ve achieved it, it would be insane to give it up. Banning fracking implies writing off hundreds of billions of dollars of investment, bankruptcy of dozens of companies with thousands of employees, sending of thousands of good jobs overseas, and significantly increasing the nation’s trade deficit. How is our economy ever going to recover from the pandemic shutdown when post fracking ban gasoline prices go back up to $4+ a gallon?
What, if anything, should the federal government do to improve the economy?
Stop trying to improve the economy! Interest rates have been at sub-normal levels since 1998. This has resulted in queering the economy more than it has stimulated it. The “robust” economy is driven solely by debt which is being created with wild abandon and is now at levels which can never ever be repaid. Per Herb Stein: “If something cannot go on forever, it will stop.” This applies here. Government must allow interest rates to return to normal, reduce its size, reduce its regulation, reduce taxes, balance its budget, and get out of the way of productive Americans.
Do you support further federal restrictions on firearms? If so, which restrictions?
No! The right to bear arms is one of those “unalienable” rights referred to in the Declaration of Independence. It is not a right granted by the Bill of Rights. It is a pre-existing right protected by the Bill of Rights.
Jaimie Lynn Kulikowski has not returned the questionnaire.
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