Hi folks,
I want to tell you a little more about why I’m running for governor.
Colorado is the best state in the country. But everywhere I go, Coloradans tell me that no matter how hard they work, they can’t get ahead and their kids can’t get ahead.
Our economy is working really well for the people at the top, but it’s broken for just about everyone else.
I’m no stranger to fixing broken systems.
Before my life in public service, I spent years in the private sector turning around failing businesses. Then, I went to work for the new mayor of Denver—you now know him as Senator John Hickenlooper—and together, we fixed the city’s longstanding budget crisis.
Shortly thereafter, I was selected to become the superintendent of the Denver Public Schools—one of the best jobs I ever had. When I became superintendent, Denver’s academic achievement was among the worst in the state. Over the next five years, I worked hand-in-hand with teachers, principals, and community leaders to transform the district into one of the highest-performing in Colorado.
In 2009, I was appointed to fill Colorado’s U.S. Senate seat. I wasn’t an obvious choice to become a senator. Only 3% of Coloradans knew who I was. Republicans called me the "accidental Senator." A national political website reacted with the headline "WTF?!!"
But, I went to the Senate because I knew that I would have the chance to provide Coloradans with more opportunity to get ahead. In the last 16 years, that’s precisely what we’ve done.
We passed bills to:
- Expand the Child Tax Credit and pass one of the largest tax cuts for working families in a generation
- Invest in our infrastructure and create thousands of good-paying jobs in Colorado
- Deliver high-speed internet to urban and rural communities across our state
- Combat climate change and support our transition to a clean energy economy
- Lower the cost of prescription drugs for our seniors
Now, I’m running for Governor because I know the most effective way to address the economic stress Coloradans face will be from right here at home.
Working together, we can bring down the cost of housing, healthcare, and childcare, revitalize our education system, and build a thriving economy that works for everyone, not just the people at the top.
So, friend, what do you say? If you’re ready to join our campaign, please consider chipping in whatever you can today. >>
