CDP Congratulates Mary Young on Appointment to HD50 Seat
The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement in reaction to the news that Mary Young has been appointed to fill the vacant HD50 seat:“We offer our warmest congratulations to Mary Young for being chosen by her community to represent them in the Colorado General Assembly. Her background as a school psychologist and an educator will serve as a great asset to her as she represents the people of House District 50 at the State Capitol. The State House will benefit greatly from her perspective and experiences in education as they consider policies that will make life better for all Coloradans.”“We also applaud the members of the House District 50 vacancy committee for carrying out this process smoothly and to the letter of the law.”Mary is a school psychologist and was a special education teacher. She holds a doctorate in school psychology from the University of Northern Colorado. She also has a master’s degree in teaching from Duke University, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Mary’s of Notre Dame.
Colorado Dems Expand Communications Team to Hold Senator Cory Gardner Accountable in 2020
The Colorado Democratic Party today announced an expansion of its communications and rapid response operation to hold Senator Cory Gardner accountable going into 2020. CDP hired Alyssa Roberts as communications advisor, joining David Pourshoushtari on the communications team.Roberts is a Colorado native with extensive experience in western politics, including serving as press secretary for Senator Michael Bennet’s successful 2016 reelection campaign, on the communications team for Senator Mark Udall, and as a Western Slope field organizer for Obama for America. During the 2018 election cycle, Roberts was national press secretary for the League of Conservation Voters and a communications advisor for Montana’s special congressional election. She also served as press secretary for Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico.“Coloradans are fired up to replace Senator Gardner in 2020, and we’re excited to have Alyssa on board to double-down on our work holding Gardner accountable,” said Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party. “With her deep understanding of Colorado and Senator Gardner’s shameful record in the U.S. Senate, Alyssa will help ensure Gardner can’t run away from his record of siding with Trump’s partisan and destructive agenda.”“Senator Gardner said he would shake things up in Washington, but he’s proven to be nothing more than another partisan lackey for Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell,” said Roberts. “From voting to take away our access to health care to refusing to fight for our public lands, Coloradans can’t trust Cory Gardner to stand up for our communities. Control of the U.S. Senate runs through Colorado, and I’m eager to get to work.”Roberts can be reached at alyssa@coloradodems.org.
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State Central Committee Approves 2020 Delegate Selection Plan
Denver, CO -- Today, the Colorado Democratic Party State Central Committee met and approved the 2020 Delegate Selection Plan and the Affirmative Action/Outreach Plan. Pending final approval from the Democratic National Committee, these plans will be the guidelines for selecting delegates to represent Colorado at the 2020 DNC in Milwaukee, WI.“I’m proud of the process that went into finalizing our Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action/Outreach plans. This was about ensuring that the creation of the Colorado Democratic Party’s plan to choose 2020 DNC delegates exhibited transparency, inclusion, and fairness, and I’m proud that between our public meetings and putting the plan online for public comment, we achieved these goals,” said Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party.
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Colorado Dems to U.S. Attorney General Barr: Release the Full Mueller Report
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Morgan Carroll released the following statement in response to Attorney General Bill Barr’s letter regarding the Robert Muller report:“Attorney General Barr needs to release the full Mueller report to the public. Obstruction of justice is a criminal offense, and given that Barr admitted himself that the report did not exonerate President Trump from obstruction of justice charges, voters as a whole deserve to see what is in the report and why the Attorney General chose not to pursue this charge. Congress and the American public should be able to form an opinion on their own, and see this report.”
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Flip-Flop Complete: Gardner Changes Position on National Emergency, Cements Loyalty to Trump over Constitution
Almost exactly a month ago today, Colorado’s junior U.S. Senator Cory Gardner went on Colorado Public Radio and declared his opposition to the idea of President Donald Trump declaring a national emergency so he could have funding to build a wall across the southern border. Less than 24 hours later, when the President did declare the national emergency, Gardner immediately recanted, stating that he needed to review it -- a position he maintained until today, when Senator Gardner voted to support the national emergency and oppose a bipartisan resolution to block it.“When you consider that President Trump himself said that he ‘didn’t need to do this. But [he’d] rather do it much faster’ on the very day he made the emergency declaration, Senator Gardner’s attempt to defend his vote by arguing the President had no choice doesn’t make any sense. It has been quite the spectacle to watch Senator Gardner go from saying he couldn’t vote for Trump in 2016, to a 90% lifetime voting record with Trump, to endorsing Trump’s re-election bid early, to now doing a total 180 on the President’s fake national emergency. But today, Senator Gardner made it abundantly clear that his loyalty is to Donald Trump over the United States Constitution and his constituents in Colorado. Coloradans won’t forget this, and Senator Gardner will face the consequences in November 2020,” said David Pourshoushtari, spokesman for the Colorado Democratic Party.Reminder: Not only is President Trump incredibly unpopular in Colorado, but so is his plan for a wall.
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Colorado Dems Announce 2020 Delegate Selection Plan
Today, the Colorado Democratic Party is proud to announce its draft plan to select delegates to represent Colorado at the 2020 Democratic Party National Convention. To ensure fairness and inclusivity in the process of finalizing the Delegate Selection Plan, the CDP is opening up the draft for public comment. The draft plan can be found online at this link, and comments can be submitted at this link.“This is about making the process of finalizing our Delegate Selection Plan for 2020 as transparent, fair, and inclusive as possible. We welcome any and all public comments to the draft selection process, and we look forward to finalizing a plan that will yield a diverse group of delegates from all across our state to represent us at the 2020 Democratic National Convention,” said Morgan Carroll, Colorado Democratic Party Chair.Public comment will be open for 30 days, with the public commentary period closing on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at 5:00pm.
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Congressman Adam Schiff joins Congresswoman Deb Haaland as Speakers at CDP Dinner
The Colorado Democratic Party is pleased to announce that Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-28) will be joining Keynote Speaker Congresswoman Deb Haaland (NM-01) as a special guest for the second annual Obama Dinner on Saturday, March 9, 2019.As Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Congressman Schiff has gained national notoriety for his expertise on foreign affairs and national security. Congressman Schiff was elected in 2000, and in addition to serving as Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, co-founded the bipartisan Congressional Caucus for Freedom of the Press, and co-chairs a bipartisan study group on nuclear security.“Colorado Democrats are in for a treat as we have two stars in the Democratic Party -- Congresswoman Deb Haaland and Congressman Adam Schiff -- coming to speak at the second annual Obama Dinner. With his deep knowledge of national security, Congressman Schiff has rightly become a go-to expert on foreign relations and intelligence. With Congressman Schiff coming to join one of the first Native American women to ever be elected to Congress in Congresswoman Haaland, March 9 will be a night to remember as we celebrate our victories in 2018, and look forward to even more victories in 2020,” said Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party.“It’s an honor to join Congresswoman Haaland at the 2019 Obama Dinner in Colorado. Democrats had a great night last November by taking back the House and winning state legislatures and governorships, and that wouldn’t have been possible without Colorado Democrats winning historic electoral victories across their state. Colorado will be absolutely critical in the Democratic Party’s mission to win back the White House and U.S. Senate, and I can’t wait to get out there and meet folks who are going to make sure Colorado goes blue again in 2020,” said Congressman Adam Schiff.More information about the dinner and who will be honored with awards can be found by clicking this link. For information about the Congressman, please visit his website at https://adamschiff.com.
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Gardner on the Verge of Emergency Flip-Flop?
Less than 24 hours after he “said he had personally told Trump he opposed” the action of declaring a national emergency during a Colorado Public Radio interview, Colorado’s junior U.S. Senator Cory Gardner appears to be on the verge of a major-league flip flop. When asked by the Denver Post’s Anna Staver if he supported President Trump’s officially declaring a national emergency to build his wall, Gardner said:“I’m currently reviewing the authorities the Administration is using to declare a national emergency.”“Yesterday, Cory Gardner stated definitively that he didn’t support the President issuing a national emergency to pay for an immoral border wall. Now, less than 24 hours later, Gardner isn’t sure and is ‘reviewing’ the President’s fake national emergency? It should worry Coloradans that when given a fairly easy choice between opposing or supporting President Trump’s unconstitutional power grab, Cory Gardner has to issue a statement that he’s thinking about it. Cory continues to want it both ways, but he has a choice to make. Will Cory Gardner stand up for Colorado and our democracy, or will he side with Mitch McConnell and a President he endorsed?” asked David Pourshoushtari, spokesman for the Colorado Democratic Party.Gardner also stated during a KOA News interview on Wednesday that he opposed the national emergency declaration, stating "I think declaring a national emergency is not the right idea.”
Is Cory Gardner okay with Boulder GOP Keynote Speaker’s “Hitler just wanted to make Germany great” comment?
Denver, CO -- Tomorrow (February 9), the Boulder County GOP will be having Candace Owens, conservative media personality and staffer for Turning Point USA, as their keynote speaker for their annual dinner. Earlier today however, footage surfaced of Candace Owens saying “Hitler just wanted to make Germany great.”Responding to a question on nationalism in London last December at the launch of Turning Point UK, Owens said:“Whenever we say nationalism, the first thing people think about, at least in America, is Hitler. He was a national socialist. But if Hitler just wanted to make Germany great and have things run well, OK, fine. The problem is that he wanted, he had dreams outside of Germany.”“Candace Owens is a regular visitor and speaker at Colorado Republican events, and given her offensive comments defending the motivations of a mass murderer who committed genocide, Colorado deserves to know if their U.S. Senator, Cory Gardner, is okay with his county parties inviting her to speak at their events,” said David Pourshoushtari, spokesman for the Colorado Democratic Party.“It made quite a statement when Senator Gardner endorsed President Trump’s reelection -- the same President Trump who called neo-nazis ‘very fine people’ in Charlottesville, VA. Senator Gardner owes it to Colorado to speak up and take a stand. Will he take a stand to condemn a Hitler-apologist speaking at the Boulder County GOP dinner?” Pourshoushtari asked.Watch the clip of Owens’ comments here.
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ICYMI: Gardner Endorses Trump, says it’s “Right Thing to Do for Colorado”
We wanted to make sure you didn’t miss this! In the Independent Journal Review, Senator Cory Gardner stated unequivocally that he was endorsing President Trump for reelection in 2020.Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), another Republican senator who vocally opposed Trump in 2016, told IJR that he’s endorsing the president now because it’s the “right thing to do for Colorado.” - Independent Journal Review, 1.30.2019.“After our country just went through the Trump Shutdown, which caused 15,000 Colorado workers to have to go without pay for three weeks, Cory Gardner really thinks endorsing Donald Trump is the 'right thing to do for Colorado'? Given that Cory Gardner has a 90% voting record with Donald Trump, it really isn't surprising, but it also shows just how out of step he is with Colorado,” said Colorado Democratic Party spokesman David Pourshoushtari.“Cory Gardner shares a 39% approval rating with Donald Trump in Colorado, and now he sees his only way to reelection is to embrace the far-right wing of his party and cast his lot with President Trump. Colorado voters won't see this endorsement as 'the right thing to do for Colorado', and Cory Gardner will face the consequences on Election Day 2020,” Pourshoushtari concluded.Background:
- Gardner’s voting record with Trump. “Tracking Congress In The Age Of Trump”. 538.
- Gardner’s 39% approval rating in Colorado. “Coloradans blame Trump for shutdown, don’t like his wall plan, new poll shows”. Denver Post, 1.28.19.
- Gardner’s endorsement of Trump. “We Asked 2016 ‘Never Trump’ Republicans if They’ll Back the President in 2020: ‘I Mean, He’s in Office’. Independent Journal Review, 1.30.19.
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Congresswoman Deb Haaland (NM-01) to headline Colorado Democrats Annual Dinner
Denver, CO – Today, the Colorado Democratic Party is pleased to announce that for its second annual Obama Dinner on Saturday, March 9, 2019, its special guest will be Congresswoman Deb Haaland of New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District.Elected in 2018, Congresswoman Haaland made history this November by being one of the first Native American women to ever be elected to Congress. As a first-year lawmaker, the Congresswoman has already been elected by her colleagues to serve as the “Freshman Class Representative” to the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, the House Democratic Region VI Whip (which covers Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona), was appointed as Deputy Whip for the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and is one of three co-Chairs for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) 2020 Women LEAD initiative.“It is a great honor to have Congresswoman Deb Haaland as our special guest and headliner for the second annual Obama Dinner. The 2018 elections will go down in history not only as a historic blue wave, but as an election year where a historic number of women were elected to Congress. This includes Congresswoman Haaland, who is a trailblazer in her own right as one of the first Native American women to ever be elected to Congress. She shares our Democratic Colorado values of protecting our public lands, fighting for the underrepresented, and investing in our children’s futures, and I know that Obama Dinner guests will be just as thrilled to meet her as I am,” said Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party.“I am thrilled to come to speak at the Colorado Democratic Party’s Obama Dinner, and to be a part of a night that is focused on celebrating victories and looking to the future. Winning back the House and electing a historic number of women, including myself, was a great start, but Democrats cannot let up in this era of Donald Trump. We have to work together, and work harder than ever, to build a country where not only do we protect our land, air, and water, but where all can have the opportunity to succeed, no matter where they were born. I look forward to meeting so many wonderful Democrats and to visiting my neighboring state on Saturday, March 9,” said Congresswoman Deb Haaland, (NM-01).More information about the dinner and who will be honored with awards can be found by clicking this link. For information about the Congresswoman, please visit her website at https://www.debforcongress.com/.
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Colorado Dems Statement on Trump’s Wall Address
Denver, CO – Colorado Democrats Executive Director Pilar Chapa released the following statement in response to President Trump’s address:“President Trump’s immoral pursuit of an expensive, unnecessary border wall is hurting Colorado workers and their families, and sends the wrong message of what America represents. House Democrats, including members of Colorado’s Congressional delegation, have passed multiple bills that would reopen the government, yet President Trump continues to hold workers’ paychecks hostage. Tonight’s address shows yet again that the President cares more about his vanity project than he does about hardworking people who are being hurt by this Trump Shutdown.”
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CDP Statement on the Opening of the 72nd General Assembly
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Morgan Carroll released the following statement this morning on the heels of the 72nd Colorado General Assembly opening session:“Today is a very exciting day. As a former state senator who served both in the majority and the minority in the hallowed walls of our state’s Capitol building, I am filled with pride to watch K.C. Becker and Leroy Garcia take their respective places as the heads of the Colorado House of Representatives and Senate. Hardworking Coloradans voted for Democratic majorities because they saw good bills for paid sick leave, increased healthcare access, and greater investment in K-12 education among many others get killed year after year in the Republican Senate’s kill committees. They said ‘No more’,” said Carroll.“I believe the 2019 session is poised to be an incredibly productive one. While President Trump and Republicans are keeping the federal government shut down, Colorado Democrats in our legislature are opening the state government for business, ready to do the people’s work. With House Speaker Becker and Senate President Garcia working with Governor Jared Polis, Coloradans will see a government that moves our state forward -- not one where progress is stifled by one chamber,” Carroll concluded.Any Coloradan who wishes to keep up with the 2019 legislative session can track bill progress at this link. They can find out who their state legislators are and what their contact information is by clicking here.The websites for the Senate Democrats and House Democrats can be found here:
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CDP Statement on the Opening of the 116th Congress, and the Trump Shutdown
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Morgan Carroll released the following statement on the opening of the 116th Congress with a Democratic majority in the House:“It speaks volumes that Speaker Pelosi and the new Democratic majority has come in on its very first day, ready to take care of business and pass legislation to reopen the federal government. While President Trump continues his tantrum of keeping the federal government shut down over a wall that he promised Mexico would pay for, House Democrats are showing why the American people voted overwhelmingly to put them in the majority last November,” said Carroll.“Veteran Colorado legislators Diana DeGette and Ed Perlmutter, our new Congressmen Joe Neguse and Jason Crow, and the House Democratic Caucus are getting to work and taking action to end the Trump Shutdown. The longer the shutdown goes, the longer Colorado’s 53,200 federal workers have to either work without pay or are on unpaid leave. Senate Republicans like Cory Gardner owe it to these working people and their families to take action and join House Democrats in ending the Trump Shutdown,” Carroll concluded.
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Colorado Democratic Party Statement on Voters Expanding the Democratic Majority in the Colorado House of Representatives
Colorado Democratic Party Statement on Voters Expanding the Democratic Majority in the Colorado House of Representatives
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Morgan Carroll issued the following statement on voters expanding the Democratic majority in the Colorado House of Representatives:
"Tonight, the voters of Colorado chose to reward the vision and agenda of our hardworking Democrats in the Colorado House. By expanding our Democratic majority to the House, voters have sent a signal that they trust our party to keep our state moving in a positive direction and working on the issues that affect the people of Colorado. I want to thank the House Majority Project and all of the candidates for their hard work in this campaign and I congratulate them on retaining the majority this evening."
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Colorado Democratic Party Congratulates Attorney General-Elect Phil Weiser
Colorado Democratic Party Congratulates Attorney General-Elect Phil Weiser
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Morgan Carroll issued the following statement congratulating Colorado Attorney General-Elect Phil Weiser:
"Congratulations to Phil Weiser on winning the race to become our next Attorney General. Phil is a dedicated public servant who is committed to protecting Coloradans with the rule of law and ensuring equality for all. A former Supreme Court Clerk for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Byron White, a leader in the Justice Department under Presidents Clinton and Obama, and Dean of CU Law School, Phil brings exceptional experience, leadership, and values to the office of the Attorney General. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Phil as the people’s lawyer for all of Colorado. ”
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Colorado Democratic Party Statement on Voters Delivering a Democratic Majority in Colorado State Senate
Colorado Democratic Party Statement on Voters Delivering a Democratic Majority in Colorado State Senate
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Morgan Carroll issued the following statement on voters delivering a Democratic majority in the Colorado State Senate:
"Tonight, the voters of Colorado sent a clear message that they endorse Senate Democrats' forward-looking agenda and reject the politics of cynicism and division. We are thrilled to see Democrats re-gain the majority in the Colorado State Senate! Working in tandem with governor-elect Jared Polis and a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives, we're excited for the opportunity to roll up our sleeves and accomplish great things for the hardworking people of Colorado. I want to thank the Democratic Senate Campaign Fund and all of the candidates for their hard work in this campaign and I congratulate them on their majority-making victories tonight."
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Colorado Democratic Party Congratulates CU Regent At-Large-Elect Lesley Smith
Colorado Democratic Party Congratulates CU Regent At-Large-Elect Lesley Smith
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Morgan Carroll issued the following statement congratulating CU Regent At-Large-Elect Lesley Smith:
“Congratulations to Lesley Smith, a 30-year veteran of the University of Colorado system, on her election as our next CU Regent At-Large. As a scientist, educator and higher education advocate, Lesley brings a wealth of experience that will serve her and Colorado well in her new role. As our next CU Regent At-Large, Lesley will work to ensure that CU offers students an excellent, relevant education that equips them with the critical thinking skills to be workforce-ready, and will work to attract funding for a strong CU system that doesn't leave graduating students with a mountain of debt — all while making CU more accessible for all Coloradans."
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Colorado Democratic Party Congratulates Secretary of State-Elect Jena Griswold
Colorado Democratic Party Congratulates Secretary of State-Elect Jena Griswold
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Morgan Carroll issued the following statement congratulating Secretary of State-Elect Jena Griswold:
“Congratulations to Jena Griswold on her election as Colorado’s next Secretary of State. Jena has already distinguished herself as a dynamic leader who has big ideas to take Colorado forward, including expanding automatic voter registration, bolstering cybersecurity in our elections, working to end dark money in our politics, and supporting Colorado’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. We’re excited to have Jena, a rising star in the Democratic Party, as our new Secretary of State to ensure that every Coloradan’s voice is heard.”
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Colorado Democratic Party Congratulates Treasurer-Elect Dave Young
Colorado Democratic Party Congratulates Treasurer-Elect Dave Young
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Morgan Carroll issued the following statement congratulating Colorado State Treasurer-Elect Dave Young:
Congratulations to Dave Young, an experienced and dynamic leader, on winning the race to be the next Treasurer of Colorado. Whether it was in his years as a school teacher, or his recent time in the Colorado legislature working on balancing the budget and passing over 120 bipartisan bills, Dave Young brings a wealth of experience to the job. By restoring transparency to the Treasurer’s office, working to properly fund our public schools, and protecting retirees from pension cuts and privatization, Dave will play a critical role in Colorado’s continued growth and prosperity and making sure it reaches all Coloradans.
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