2024 Endorsements

Diana DeGette is a fourth-generation Coloradoan and a powerful advocate for progressive change on health care, reproductive rights, and climate action. As a leader on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, she has spearheaded efforts to improve health care, advance medical research, and combat climate change. She was also one of the first Colorado Congressional members to co-sponsor the bill to update the Registry Act, which updates the registry date to create a pathway to citizenship for over 8 million people, including DACA recipients and essential workers. Congresswoman DeGette stands as a steadfast ally for immigrants and continues to push for equitable and just policies on the national stage.

Jason Crow is a decorated Army veteran and proud representative of Colorado’s 6th Congressional District and a dedicated advocate for working families, veterans, and immigrant communities. Raised in a working-class family, Jason brings his values of hard work and fairness to Congress, where he fights to end corruption, tackle gun violence, and protect Colorado’s environment. A strong ally for immigrants, Jason has championed pro-immigrant policies and worked to ensure that all Coloradans have the opportunity to succeed, no matter their background.

Brittany Pettersen was born and raised in Colorado and has dedicated her career to fighting for working families and public education. As a state legislator for 10 years, she championed key policies like the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and reforms to improve access to behavioral health care. A strong advocate for immigrants, she co-signed onto the bill to update the registry act, which would create a pathway to citizenship for millions. She’s running again for Congress to continue her work on behalf of Colorado’s working-class communities.

Matt Johnston, a Brighton City Councilmember, has spent his career advocating for transparency, accountability, and common-sense solutions. Raised in a working-class family, Matt draws on his diverse background in labor and leadership to fight for small businesses, affordable housing, and education. His commitment to diversity and inclusion, inspired by his own mixed-race family, drives his advocacy for policies that uplift all Coloradans. Matt is dedicated to building strong, resilient communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Chris Kolker, incumbent State Senator for District 16, is a dedicated advocate for public education, mental health, and budget transparency. A former high school teacher, certified financial planner, and small business owner, Chris leverages his diverse experiences to fight for fair wages and justice reform. As a proud descendant of immigrants, he has been a strong partner in the Capitol, taking decisive action to support immigrant rights and ensuring all communities are treated with dignity and respect. Chris stands as a steadfast ally for immigrants and workers, making him a powerful voice for equity in Colorado.

Mike Weissman, a proud resident of North Aurora for over 17 years, brings a deeply rooted commitment to public service and community values to his campaign to represent Senate District 28. Inspired by the resilience and determination of his immigrant grandparents, who overcame adversity to create opportunities for their children, Mike embodies the belief that hard work and opportunity are fundamental to the American Dream. Drawing on his background in economics and law, Mike is dedicated to crafting policies that promote tax justice, expand access to affordable housing, fund education, and protect consumer rights. Mike’s journey reflects a steadfast dedication to serving the common good and ensuring that Colorado remains a place where opportunity thrives for all who seek it. With a focus on expanding opportunity and upholding core values of fairness and justice, Mike Weissman is ready to continue his principled leadership and advocacy in the Colorado Senate.

As the current Representative for Colorado’s House District 1, an activist and eviction attorney, Javier Mabrey has proven his commitment to economic justice, affordable housing, racial justice and universal health care. First inspired by the Obama campaign’s plan for universal education and Social Security benefits, Javier began his fight for social justice. He first worked as a community organizer, primarily advocating for immigration reform and proposed additional funding for Colorado public schools. His value in education led him to pursue a career in legal defense. Growing up, Javier and his family experienced housing instability and homelessness due to a lack of government investment. Javier’s mother was unable to afford the cost of living, receiving only disability payments as her sole source of income. Javier is also a co-founder of the Eviction Legal Defense Fund in support of tenants’ rights and affordable housing.The organization represents low-income tenants and provides people with information and housing resources.Javier shares our progressive values and vision for Colorado. He’s the best choice for District 1.

Jennifer Bacon has dedicated her career to advancing social and educational justice as a former educator, community organizer, and civil rights attorney. Serving as both a State Representative and a Denver School Board Director, she has fought tirelessly for equitable access to quality education, affordable housing, and healthcare. With a deep commitment to ensuring all Coloradans can thrive, Jennifer advocates for policies that uplift marginalized communities and address systemic inequities. Her leadership brings a powerful voice for justice, informed by years of service to the most vulnerable.

Emily Sirota, a social worker and progressive Democrat, represents Colorado’s House District 9, where she has championed worker’s rights, public education, and environmental justice. With years of experience in government, Emily has worked on health care policy and campaign finance reform. A strong advocate for equity, she has contributed as a legislator to creating a more fair and just Colorado for all. Emily lives in southeast Denver with her husband, David, and their two children.

As a Haitian immigrant, Junie has lived through many of the hardships experienced by members of the community and is committed to the plight of all people . Throughout her political career as a Boulder City Council Member, she has advocated for worker’s rights, bilingual accessibility and a criminal justice reform and has a long history of advocating for equity and social justice. Junie is now running for Representative in State House District 10. Junie is tenacious and well qualified to be the kind of leader to provide ethical solutions for her community. Junie’s life experiences give her a first-person understanding of what it means to be an immigrant, woman of color, small business owner, breaking the mold in political spaces. As Representative in State House District 10, Junie will use her life experience as a manual to create policies that will serve Boulder and the state of Colorado. She has experience working for the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, for the U.S. Agency for International Development in the Ivory Coast and served as a White House intern in the Obama administration. Junie is dedicated to fighting for social, political, and economic equity.

Stephanie Vigil is a compassionate and effective leader – grounded in her own continued battle against the long-term effects of childhood abuse and poverty. She is an activist and community organizer and understands the intersectionality between racism, poverty and prevalent issues including a lack of healthcare access, transportation or affordable housing, and inequities in education. She is a staunch advocate for housing rights and for creating better public transportation across the state and especially in her district in Colorado Springs. She is a seasoned leader who is ready to continue the important work of fighting for a Colorado where all people can thrive.

Monica Duran, a proud Mexican-American and current House Majority Leader, has dedicated her life to fighting injustice, inspired by her mother’s work alongside Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta for workers’ rights. As a survivor of domestic violence and a former homeless single mother, Monica has championed protections for survivors, led common-sense gun safety legislation, and fought for the most vulnerable in her community. She has been a steadfast supporter of pro-immigrant laws in Colorado, helping to pass vital protections for immigrant communities like HB19-1124 that protects victims of domestic violence from police collaboration with ICE. Monica’s leadership in the legislature reflects her unwavering commitment to equity, justice, and creating collaborative change for all Coloradans.

Manny Rutinel emerges as a steadfast advocate and attorney deeply rooted in working-class values, driven by a profound commitment to ensuring equitable opportunities for communities in Adams County. Raised by a single immigrant mother from the Dominican Republic, Manny’s upbringing instilled in him the resilience, perseverance, and compassion that define his approach to public service. He witnessed firsthand the injustices of choosing between rent and healthcare, igniting his determination to fight for economic and social justice. Inspired by the love and generosity of his Black and white grandparents, Manny learned the transformative power of community and neighborly care, guiding his path towards service. From his early days working multiple jobs to fund his education to his tenure as an economist and environmental attorney, Manny’s journey is a testament to grit, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to combating systemic inequities. With a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of environmental justice, Manny Rutinel is poised to continue his advocacy and progressive leadership in representing House District 32, ensuring that the voices of marginalized communities are heard and uplifted in the halls of power.

Jenny Willford, a proud environmental advocate and former Mayor Pro Tem of Northglenn, currently represents District 34 in the Colorado House of Representatives. As Vice Chair of the House Energy and Environment Committee, Jenny has led efforts to protect clean air and water, support working families, and address housing affordability. With her background in environmentalism and commitment to reproductive rights, she continues to be a strong advocate for progressive policies that improve the lives of Coloradans, including the expansion of Colorado’s Earned Income Tax Credit to uplift working families.

With nearly two decades of dedicated service to Colorado communities, Lorena Garcia has been a tireless advocate, organizer, and policy innovator committed to fostering social justice and empowerment. Throughout her career in nonprofit leadership, Lorena has championed programs and policies that uplift the dignity and resilience of marginalized communities, both locally and internationally. As the Representative for House District 35, Lorena brings a community-driven approach to governance, prioritizing the voices and needs of those directly impacted by systemic inequalities. With a vision for inclusive economic opportunity, accessible education from early childhood onward, and a healthcare system that prioritizes public health over profit, Lorena has a deep commitment to building a state where every individual can thrive, regardless of background or circumstance. Grounded in her deep Colorado roots and personal experiences as a member of a large, diverse family, Lorena’s leadership is rooted in empathy, compassion, and a relentless dedication to creating a more just and equitable future for all.

Naquetta Ricks, the first African immigrant elected to the Colorado General Assembly and a proud Liberian American, has been a resident of Aurora for over 30 years. A successful small business owner and founder of the African Chamber of Commerce Colorado, Naquetta’s journey from fleeing civil war in Liberia to leading impactful legislation grounds her in a deep commitment to her community. As a legislator, she championed the creation of Colorado’s Immigration Legal Defense Fund, ensuring due process for immigrants facing detention and removal. Naquetta continues to advocate for immigrant rights, economic opportunities, and educational equity, making her a powerful voice for justice and equality in Colorado.

Born and raised in Colorado, a first-generation American and daughter of Palestinian immigrants, Iman Jodeh has been a lifelong advocate for the immigrant community, with an extensive record of fighting for immigrant rights. Iman helped pass HB21-1150 which created the Colorado Office of New Americans, with the ultimate goal of increasing resources and avenues for the integration and welcoming of immigrants into our state and communities. Iman has expressed the ‘American Dream’ can only be achieved through equitable policies, adding refugees and immigrants must receive fair treatment in receiving public services and obtaining credit and access to capital, all without facing discrimination, harassment or abuse. Iman is a strong proponent of raising the minimum wage, strengthening the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, and prioritizing sustainability in every industry and sector of the workforce. On the health care front, Iman works to expand access to all, prioritize reproductive rights and support LGBTQ+ health, mental health and paid leave. Iman has served on the Appropriations and Public & Behavioral Health & Human services committees. Iman will continue to move CO House District 41 forward and create a more welcoming place for all in Colorado.

Tisha Mauro, a lifelong Pueblo County resident, has deep roots in her community and a strong commitment to fighting for working families. Raised on a farm and ranch, Tisha understands the importance of protecting Colorado’s agricultural resources, including water. She has been politically active in Pueblo her entire life and continues to advocate for common-sense gun control and reproductive rights. Tisha brings decades of experience as a community leader and is ready to serve House District 46 to ensure a brighter future for Pueblo.

A lifelong public servant, school psychologist and activist, Mary Young is dedicated to addressing issues that affect our most vulnerable communities. As a behavioral health expert, one of Mary’s primary focuses during her time served in office has been to increase access and quality of mental and behavioral health care, especially in our public school systems. Mary has proven her mission to put Colorado communities’ needs first and uplift democratic values. In addition to her extensive tenure in public service, Mary Young brings compassion and understanding to the position, making her the best choice for House District 50.

Yara Zokaie embodies the resilience and determination of a first-generation Iranian American, drawing strength from her immigrant upbringing and the bonds of community support. Raised in a small rural town, Yara learned early on the value of hard work and perseverance, juggling multiple jobs while excelling in law school and earning a master’s degree in taxation. As Chief Deputy Assessor for Larimer County, Yara’s commitment to family and equity is unwavering, as evidenced by her advocacy for paid family and sick leave and her dedication to addressing the challenges facing young families in Colorado. From founding the Latino Coalition to advocating for COVID relief for communities of color, Yara has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and fostering meaningful change at all levels of government. With a deep understanding of the struggles facing working-class families and communities of color, Yara is poised to bring inclusive leadership and genuine representation to House District 52, ensuring that the concerns of those most affected by systemic inequalities are not just heard but prioritized in the pursuit of a more equitable Colorado.

Rooted in the Western Slope of Colorado, Elizabeth Velasco is a proud daughter of first generation immigrants, a business owner and public information officer for the forest service. Elizabeth comes into her candidacy for House District 57 with experience in the service and healthcare industries and years of public service for several local entities. Elizabeth’s top pillars in her first election are community resiliency under the woes of climate change, wrap-around services for families, rural infrastructure and health care access. Her work for the forest service has acted as her foundation for her campaign conservation efforts and knowledge in environmentalism. She plans to address conservation and water infrastructure, focus on wildland fire prevention, improve emergency communications and build resilience against Colorado’s incessant drought issues. Elizabeth is also a champion for immigrants and small business owners, with a passion for uplifting our BIPOC communities, especially in our local economies.