Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey: Colorado roundup


Colorado is holding elections, including for municipal offices and school boards, on Nov. 7, 2023. A number of candidates running in these elections completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.

Below is a selection of responses from the candidates who filled out the survey as of Sept. 19. To read each candidate’s full responses, click his or her name at the bottom of the article.

Incumbent Lori Goldstein (nonpartisan) is running for Adams 12 Five Star Schools Board of Education District 1, and the general election is on Nov. 7.  Here’s how Goldstein responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“School funding”

Click here to read the rest of Goldstein’s answers. 

Paula Battistelli (nonpartisan) is running for Adams 12 Five Star Schools Board of Education District 2, and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Battistelli responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“… I’m passionate about equitable educational opportunities, equitable funding, prioritizing mental health, prioritizing public education investment over private, and ensuring public school safety while also ensuring student well being. I fully support Public School Choice in Colorado, and I support the four public charter schools that have public oversight through the Adams 12 Board of Education.”

Click here to read the rest of Battistelli’s answers. 

Mike Heil (nonpartisan) is running for Falcon School District 49 school board District 5, and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Heil responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“Evidence-based policies that set our children up to thrive.”

Click here to read the rest of Heil’s answers. 

Candace Lehmann (nonpartisan) is running for Falcon School District 49 school board District 2, and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Lehmann responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“A few of the issues I am passionate about are:

1) Supporting the advancement of equal education for all and lowering of college costs

2) Voting rights- everyone deserves the right to vote

3) Separation of church and state with complete religious freedom

4) A new and better immigration policy”

Click here to read the rest of Lehmann’s answers. 

Juan Marcano (nonpartisan), currently serving as a member of Aurora City Council Ward IV, is running for mayor of Aurora, and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Marcano responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“… I’ll be focusing on increasing wages, building affordable housing, creating an equitable economic development plan, improving the quality and accessibility of our built environment, partnering with our school districts to provide more resources for our youth and families, and investing in community-centered placemaking to create space for the arts and cultural exchange.”

Click here to read the rest of Marcano’s answers. 

Alvin Sexton (nonpartisan) is running for Widefield School District 3 school board, and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Sexton responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“I am passionate about education and economic policy. I want to solve our problems without raising taxes and cultivating policies that allow students to thrive. No matter what issues that we are facing in schools, I am a firm believer that it starts with building an environment children can thrive in and money to fund it.”

Click here to read the rest of Sexton’s answers. 

If you’re a Colorado candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey. The survey contains over 30 questions, and you can choose the ones you feel will best represent your views to voters. If you complete the survey, a box with your answers will display on your Ballotpedia profile. Your responses will also populate the information that appears in our mobile app, My Vote Ballotpedia.

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