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| 2024 Election: | Joe Biden's book | Kamala Harris' book | Donald Trump's book | JD Vance's book | 2024 Senate Debates |
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| Book Reviews | |||||||||||||||
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(from Amazon.com) | |||||||||||||||
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(click a book cover for a review or other books by or about the presidency from Amazon.com) |

from Past and present Governor candidates from Colorado (number of quotes indicated): |
| OnTheIssues.org excerpts: (click on issues for details) |
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Abortion Cary Kennedy: Endorsed by EMILY's List for pro-choice women. Cynthia Coffman: Pro-choice; moderate on social issues. Greg Lopez: I am pro-life. Heidi Ganahl: Declares herself "pro-life" on Facebook, won't elaborate. Heidi Ganahl: Make adoption and birth control more accessible. Jared Polis: Fund Planned Parenthood; require insurers' contraception. Mike Johnston: Woman's health between her and her doctor. Walker Stapleton: Ban abortion with exceptions for rape & incest. Phil Weiser: Ensure abortion care regardless of where women traveled from. |
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Budget & Economy Cary Kennedy: Balanced budget after citizens vote on taxes. Doug Robinson: Problems should be fixed by spending less, not raising taxes. Doug Robinson: Use our budget more effectively, instead of raising taxes. Doug Robinson: State budget is a mess; improve it by cutting spending. George Brauchler: Requested pay cut & budget cut as County Commissioner. Greg Lopez: Would prioritize transportation and growth. Greg Lopez: Wants to champion and advocate for small business. Heidi Ganahl: Government has grown too much; we can reduce it. Mike Johnston: Government can help business and improve workplace. Victor Mitchell: To save jobs, we must halt any kind of tax increase. Victor Mitchell: In an over regulated Colorado, regulations need to be cut. Victor Mitchell: Cutting regulations will promote small businesses. Walker Stapleton: Balanced budgets in private career & then as state treasurer. Greg Lopez: Print three years of national debt on Congressional ballots. Michael Bennet: Forest Service cuts place an immense burden on Colorado. |
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Civil Rights Greg Lopez: Don't teach personal choices of sexual lifestyle in schools. Heidi Ganahl: Misrepresented gender policy for students in high school. Jared Polis: Would be Colorado's first openly gay Governor. Mike Johnston: Participated in Women's March in Denver. Mike Johnston: Workplace discrimination law includes LGBTQ. Mike Johnston: 100% from Colorado LGBTQ group. Raul Labrador: Orientation/gender identity shouldn't bar employment. Victor Mitchell: Voted against Trump due to misogyny concerns. Walker Stapleton: My grandfather was in the KKK but I denounce racism. Greg Lopez: I think it's time we had a real first lady, don't you? Phil Weiser: Joined multi-state suit against Trump over DEI. Phil Weiser: Any attack on a member of the LGBTQ community is disgusting. |
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Corporations Doug Robinson: To help the economy, government has to get out of the way. Doug Robinson: Create pro-business environment and cut regulations. George Brauchler: Protect business from excessive regulation. Phil Weiser: Sued to stop a corporate mega-merger between supermarkets. |
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Crime Bob Beauprez: Require public notice when releasing violent prison inmates. George Brauchler: Death penalty is legitimate rule of law. George Brauchler: Supports death penalty; would lift stays of execution. George Brauchler: Defend local law enforcement and provide resources. George Brauchler: Create specialized units to fight crime. Greg Lopez: Oppose unwarranted, irrational hatred of cops by radicals. Heidi Ganahl: Reinstate bail, ensure parole board enforces sentences. Heidi Ganahl: I would fire the parole board, keep the bad guys in jail. John Hickenlooper: $20M for mental health 24/7 call-in centers. John Hickenlooper: Issued stay of execution for convicted killer. Mike Johnston: Reduce sentencing disparities; ban police chokeholds. Mike Johnston: Tougher on DUI and sexual assault. Mike Johnston: Ban police chokeholds; push the CLEAR Act. Phil Weiser: Antisemitic attack leaves Jews struggling over vulnerability. Phil Weiser: Use all the tools we can to hold bad actors accountable. |
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Drugs Doug Robinson: Opposes recreational marijuana. Doug Robinson: Opposed Amendment 64: youth usage of drugs is too high. Doug Robinson: Do better by preventing addiction & promoting natural high. Doug Robinson: Children need to be protected from the dangers of pot. Doug Robinson: More regulation AND treatment to control drugs. Doug Robinson: Ran anti-recreational marijuana group, Smart Colorado. George Brauchler: Opposed marijuana legalization; but keep the feds out. George Brauchler: Opposed legalization but will defend CO laws. George Brauchler: Must increase mental health & drug treatment programs. George Brauchler: Pot law has not ended criminal activity. Greg Lopez: Marijuana is an addictive drug and not safe. Heidi Ganahl: Colorado's experiment with cannabis isn't helping our kids. Jared Polis: Treat marijuana like alcohol; end Drug War on states. Jared Polis: Signed law allowing mass pardon for minor marijuana offenses. John Hickenlooper: Voters were "reckless" to legalize retail marijuana. Raul Labrador: Challenges AG on stopping pot research. Steve Barlock: Will follow state law on pot. Victor Mitchell: Marijuana revenues are being "ripped off" in the status quo. Victor Mitchell: THC is dangerous, but voters ok'ed the pot amendment. Walker Stapleton: Concerned about unintended consequences of legalizing pot. Phil Weiser: Sued company to stop encouraging young people to vape. |
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Education Bob Beauprez: Our common-sense electorate defeated Amendment 66. Cary Kennedy: Make college more affordable, including tech & vocational. Cary Kennedy: Led Amendment 23: reduce budget cuts to public schools. Donna Lynne: Must meet challenge of funding schools. Doug Robinson: In education, more choice makes more competition. Doug Robinson: Competition key to improving public schools. George Brauchler: Local control instead of one-size-fits-all education models. George Brauchler: Colorado should lead in STEM education. Greg Lopez: Parents want school choice and vocational training; I agree. Heidi Ganahl: Ensure we are funding our students, not the system. Heidi Ganahl: Critic: supports "conservative affirmative action" in hiring. Jared Polis: Prime supporter of Amendment 23 for school funding in 2000. Jared Polis: Increased across-the-board funding and preschool for all. Mike Johnston: Keep up with innovation: 2 years of free college or training. Mike Johnston: National Guard service in exchange for state college tuition. Mike Johnston: Weaken tenure protections; strengthen teacher evaluations. Mike Johnston: Major investment in public education. Mike Johnston: Make college more affordable. Steve Barlock: Favors home schooling. Tom Tancredo: Tax credits for private school tuition. Victor Mitchell: Don't boost No education spending via tax increases. Victor Mitchell: Lower the cost of college. Victor Mitchell: College need to become more affordable in Colorado. Victor Mitchell: Teachers unions are enemies of Colorado. Victor Mitchell: Supports vouchers and school choice. Walker Stapleton: More charters, school choice, & education savings accounts. Walker Stapleton: Transfer funds from bloated administration to teachers. Walker Stapleton: Supports school choice: $10,000 to follow student anywhere. |
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Energy & Oil Cary Kennedy: Oil & gas are important, but protect public health. Donna Lynne: Continue transition from fossil fuels to renewables. George Brauchler: Colorado joining Paris Accords is meaningless symbolism. Greg Lopez: Don't close coal mines to remove phantom of climate change. Heidi Ganahl: We should be producing oil and gas here in Colorado. Jared Polis: Increase regulatory incentives for renewables. John Hickenlooper: Reduce greenhouse gas by 26% by 2025 and 35% by 2030. Mike Johnston: Balance oil & gas extraction with public safety. Mike Johnston: State should promote natural energy. Mike Johnston: Fund green homes and offices. Noel Ginsburg: Develop oil & gas resources while protecting environment. Steve Barlock: Water power, but not wind power. Steve Barlock: State should not pick favorites in clean energy. Victor Mitchell: Repeal misguided Paris Accords order on Day One. Walker Stapleton: Full-throated defense of oil-and-gas deregulation. Jared Polis: 100% renewable energy by 2040. Jared Polis: All-of-government approach to climate change. Greg Lopez: Ban Defense from enacting extreme clean energy policies. Michael Bennet: Build on our responsible approach to energy transition. Phil Weiser: Opposes attempt to freeze the development of wind energy. |
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Environment Cary Kennedy: Colorado can be national model on wind energy & cleantech. Donna Lynne: Protect our environment for generations to come. John Hickenlooper: Develop federal land instead of protecting the sage grous. Raul Labrador: Must work with partners to preserve public land. Heidi Ganahl: When we talk about water, we have to talk about storage. Jared Polis: Renegotiate Colorado River Compact via cutbacks in CA/NV/AZ. Phil Weiser: Sued EPA to stop public access to air pollution records. |
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Families & Children Cary Kennedy: Family adopted sister via faith-based organization. Cary Kennedy: Supports foster care via faith-based organizations. Greg Lopez: Sex Ed Bill is a direct attack on parental rights. Heidi Ganahl: Address mental health crisis/suicide rates among children. Jared Polis: Supports same-sex marriage. John Hickenlooper: Low-income women get long-acting reversible contraceptives. Jared Polis: Will establish full-day Pre-K statewide. |
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Foreign Policy Michael Bennet: Good test for threat to Taiwan is how we respond to Putin. |
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Free Trade Walker Stapleton: Tariffs on China escalate trade war & hurt businesses. Jared Polis: Tariffs are a regressive tax that hurt our economy. Phil Weiser: Praised court ruling blocking Trump's tariffs. |
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Government Reform George Brauchler: A record of official transparency. George Brauchler: Move some state offices out of capital. George Brauchler: Sunset law should apply to all regulations. Greg Lopez: Opposes National Popular Vote interstate compact. Greg Lopez: Local government important; state should stay out of way. Greg Lopez: Wants statewide electoral college to choose who's on ballot. Greg Lopez: State regulators are running amuck, will reduce their number. Heidi Ganahl: Streamline regulations to help local job creators. Heidi Ganahl: Clean voter lists and require voter ID to restore confidence. Jared Polis: More limits on campaign donations; more donor disclosure. Jared Polis: Investigate voter suppression; prohibit gerrymandering. Mike Johnston: No PAC money when running as state senator or as governor. Steve Barlock: Drain the swamp of Colorado politics. Tom Tancredo: 2001: pledged 3-term limit; 2002: served 4th & 5th term. Walker Stapleton: Ended hired petitioners when one surfaced as not registered. Walker Stapleton: Great Colorado Payback: find lost bank accounts. Greg Lopez: Government overreach is making life harder. Michael Bennet: Will work to cut red tape affecting small businesses. Phil Weiser: Held people accountable for voter intimidation. |
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Gun Control Cary Kennedy: No military assault weapons; universal background checks. Donna Lynne: Ban bump stocks; disallow mental health excuses. George Brauchler: Supports guns for self-defense. Greg Lopez: Red Flag bill violates constitutional rights of gun owners. Greg Lopez: Don't like mass murder, but Second Amendment is important. Heidi Ganahl: Follow Constitution, protect our Second Amendment rights. Jared Polis: Banning weapons violates the Second Amendment. Jared Polis: Ban military-style weapons; plus CDC studies gun violence. Jared Polis: Strengthen penalties for black-market gun sales. Jared Polis: Ban bump stocks; end black market gun sales. John Hickenlooper: Universal background checks & ban on high capacity magazines. John Hickenlooper: State Senate "Line item recall" about too-strict gun control. John Hickenlooper: Universal background checks but no assault weapon ban. John Hickenlooper: CO cares about 2nd Amendment, but also safe communities. Mike Johnston: Supports common sense gun restrictions. Mike Johnston: Ban military-style weapons; plus universal background checks. Steve Barlock: 100% for Trump unless he rejects NRA. Steve Barlock: Teachers should protect students if there's a school shooter. Tom Tancredo: Running in opposition to new gun control laws. Victor Mitchell: 100% record with NRA, but I don't believe in bazookas. Walker Stapleton: Repeal existing gun control laws & oppose new efforts. Phil Weiser: Limit large-capacity magazines to decrease mass shootings. |
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Health Care Donna Lynne: Health care a right, not a privilege. Doug Robinson: Wants congress and Trump to repeal ObamaCare. George Brauchler: Repeal Obamacare; local control of Medicaid. George Brauchler: Increase Medicaid co-pays to change behavior. George Brauchler: Medicaid block grants instead of ObamaCare expansion. George Brauchler: Charge co-pays to low-income residents on Medicaid. Greg Lopez: I believe in free-market health care. Greg Lopez: No face mask; responds "Do you wear a diaper?". Greg Lopez: Would take a hands-off approach to health care. Greg Lopez: VA is proof against government health-care system. Heidi Ganahl: Opposed legislation creating public health insurance option. Jared Polis: AdWatch: Supports Medicare for All. Jared Polis: Improve ObamaCare; work toward universal single-payer system. Mike Johnston: Preserve Medicaid expansion. Victor Mitchell: Promote patient-centered health care. Victor Mitchell: Insurance is not necessary for primary care. Victor Mitchell: ObamaCare doesn't work for 50% of people today. Victor Mitchell: ObamaCare is not a solution; we need patient-centered care. Walker Stapleton: Medicaid block grants for community health care centers. Walker Stapleton: End Colorado's ObamaCare exchange; undo Medicaid expansion. Jared Polis: Focus on danger of processed foods, but support vaccinations. Michael Bennet: He will fight to protect Colorado's Medicaid funding. Phil Weiser: Defended the Affordable Care Act from Trump Administration. |
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Homeland Security George Brauchler: Uniformed service includes tour in Iraq. Greg Lopez: Ensure we adequately address the needs of Colorado veterans. Victor Mitchell: Big brother government is terribly intrusive. Walker Stapleton: On July 4th honored all veterans for defending our freedoms. Phil Weiser: Prepare to fight Trump if he sends military into cities. |
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Immigration Bob Beauprez: 2007: Cleanse out illegals; 2014: no need to send them home. Cary Kennedy: Keep local cops out of immigration. George Brauchler: Opposes sanctuary cities; leave immigration to Feds. Greg Lopez: Opposes Sanctuary State law forbidding cooperation with ICE. Greg Lopez: I support legal immigration, not illegal immigration. Jared Polis: Restore DACA: Don't cast 1M aspiring Americans into shadows. Mike Johnston: Protect immigrants living in the country illegally. Mike Johnston: Undocumented kids get in-state tuition. Mike Johnston: Will lead state in fighting DACA repeal. Steve Barlock: Hardline against illegal immigration. Tom Tancredo: Viva Tancredo: support for legal immigration, in Spanish. Tom Tancredo: Sanctuary Cities are a travesty but I hate identity politics. Victor Mitchell: Supports Trump's anti-sanctuary city policies. Walker Stapleton: Deport anyone in the country illegally. Walker Stapleton: End these dangerous sanctuary city policies. Michael Bennet: Shield children under 16 from ICE detainment. Phil Weiser: Opposes ICE raids at schools, churches, hospitals, courts. |
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Jobs Donna Lynne: Raise minimum wage, simplify licensing. Heidi Ganahl: Proposed prohibiting hiring based on race or gender. Jared Polis: Expand collective bargaining, instead of "right-to-work". Jared Polis: Let municipalities raise local minimum wage. Victor Mitchell: Teachers unions are about power not about helping teachers. Jared Polis: Raise minimum wage, encourage profit sharing. |
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Principles & Values Greg Lopez: A vote for me is a vote for "All of Colorado". Greg Lopez: I will follow the Code of the West. Greg Lopez: I do not want to see Colorado become California. Greg Lopez: Military taught values of loyalty, teamwork, brotherhood. Heidi Ganahl: Founded largest pet care franchise in the world. Steve Barlock: Won't let globalist opponents steal my views. Steve Barlock: Statist and nationalist: Colorado and U.S. come first. Tom Tancredo: Obama is greater threat to our way of life than any enemy. Tom Tancredo: Won't debate in GOP primaries; will debate Dems. Michael Bennet: Fighting back against Trump's damaging policies. Phil Weiser: Clerked for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. |
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Social Security Steve Barlock: Fully fund Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA). Phil Weiser: Sued to prevent DOGE accessing Social Security system. Greg Lopez: Cuts to Social Security & Medicare should be on the table. |
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Tax Reform Cary Kennedy: OpEd: proudly championed the state's mill levy freeze. George Brauchler: Supports Taxpayer Bill of Rights. George Brauchler: Use existing funds rather than raising taxes. George Brauchler: Oppose sales tax hike to raise $3.5B for road projects. Greg Lopez: I will never raise taxes; I defend Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Heidi Ganahl: We are being taxed and regulated into oblivion. Jared Polis: Repeal Trump's tax cuts. John Hickenlooper: $5 trillion of tax cuts to the wealthy is not the answer. Mike Johnston: Tax relief for workers and middle class. Steve Barlock: Popular vote on any tax law or subsidy. Victor Mitchell: No tax increases, not even to boost education spending. Victor Mitchell: Not one darn penny for additional taxes. Walker Stapleton: I stopped the largest tax increase in state history. Walker Stapleton: I had the courage to support Donald Trump's tax cuts. Phil Weiser: Accepts state law requiring voter approval for tax increases. |
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Technology Bob Beauprez: 10-hour traffic jams are not drivers' fault, as CDOT says. Cary Kennedy: Rural areas need transportation & broadband infrastructure. Donna Lynne: Goal of 100% internet access. Doug Robinson: Infrastructure via government efficiency & private solutions. George Brauchler: Improve roads without raising taxes. Jared Polis: Support net neutrality: free exchange of ideas on internet. Victor Mitchell: Shrink state agencies to look for funds for highways. Heidi Ganahl: Criticized Facebook donations to 2020 local election offices. Jared Polis: Infrastructure to allow remote work in rural areas. Phil Weiser: Suing Meta over harm to people's mental health. |
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War & Peace Doug Robinson: Trump is right with strong response on Syria. Phil Weiser: He is son and grandson of Holocaust survivors. |
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Welfare & Poverty Bob Beauprez: 2010: 47% of people happy to let others pay the bill. Steve Barlock: Drug testing for welfare recipients is a slippery slope. Walker Stapleton: Random drug testing for people on public assistance. Heidi Ganahl: Relax state regulations to create more affordable housing. |
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Gubernatorial winners and losers in each state: AK - AL - AR - AZ - CA - CO - CT - DE - FL - GA - HI - IA - ID - IL - IN - KS - KY - LA - MA - MD - ME - MI - MN - MO - MS - MT - NC - ND - NE - NH - NJ - NM - NV - NY - OH - OK - OR - PA - RI - SC - SD - TN - TX - UT - VA - VT - WA - WI - WV - WY - Senatorial winners and losers in each state: AK - AL - AR - AZ - CA - CO - CT - DE - FL - GA - HI - IA - ID - IL - IN - KS - KY - LA - MA - MD - ME - MI - MN - MO - MS - MT - NC - ND - NE - NH - NJ - NM - NV - NY - OH - OK - OR - PA - RI - SC - SD - TN - TX - UT - VA - VT - WA - WI - WV - WY - U.S. House of Representatives winners and losers in each state: AK - AL - AR - AZ - CA - CO - CT - DE - FL - GA - HI - IA - ID - IL - IN - KS - KY - LA - MA - MD - ME - MI - MN - MO - MS - MT - NC - ND - NE - NH - NJ - NM - NV - NY - OH - OK - OR - PA - RI - SC - SD - TN - TX - UT - VA - VT - WA - WI - WV - WY - |
All material copyright 1999-2022 by Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org Reprinting by permission only. |
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Page last edited: Mar 15, 2026