John Stevens is running for House District 43 and answered a questionnaire for YourHub.com. To read all of the candidate questionnaires,
click here.
Name: John StevensSeat you are seeking: State Representative, House District 43
Age: 38
Family: My wife Autumn and our four children: Chelsea, 16; Caiman, 13; Tennyson, 9; and Chloe, 6.
Occupation: Attorney-represent small businesses involved in litigation. Prior to entering private practice I was a Deputy District Attorney in Douglas County.
Hometown: Highlands Ranch.
Your Web site: www.JohnStevens2008.com
Favorite local place to hang out: My childrens' sports events and the jogging trails around Highlands Ranch.
What do you like most about living here?: The people and being able to raise a family in the greatest and most beautiful state in the Country.
Interests & hobbies: Outdoor sports, hiking, reading.
Favorite TV show: The Office.
Favorite Web site: economist.com; cnn.com; and si.com.
People who inspired you (and how): On a personal level, my dad has been my greatest inspiration. My mom died from cancer at a very young age and my dad had to raise me and my brother alone. Things were seldom easy but he always stressed the importance of hard work, community service and personal responsibility. He never allowed us to focus on the negative aspects of life and instead made sure we understood that tomorrow could always be better than today.
How you have contributed to the community: I have been active in the community for nearly all of my adult life whether through coaching youth sports teams for over 15 years or taking part in community food drives or volunteering for Law Line 9. I also contribute approximately 100 hours of pro bono legal work every year.
For the past four years I have been the volunteer mock trial team coach at Rock Canyon High School.
What are the biggest issues facing your constituency now: The number one issue facing the residents of our District and all Coloradoans is economic security. As a small business owner, I understand the difficult challenges we all face in these tough economic times. I know what it's like to try to make payroll and to provide health benefits for hard working families. The people of House District 43 need leadership and representation that understands these issues in the real world so we can work towards achieving practical solutions that truly benefit working families. Simply having experience only in politics or government, like that offered by the status quo, is not going to bring the change necessary to protect and develop our economy.
The people of Highlands Ranch need and deserve a representative who has the experience on main street that will bring a new perspective to the State Legislature. We have to insure that our state fosters a climate that protects the interests of small businesses and individuals.
Economic growth necessarily includes moving away from the old way of addressing energy policy and aggressively developing alternative energy sources. This not only protects our economic viability but also protects our limited natural resources, which is a legacy we hold in trust for future generations. We must also make sure we have an education system that provides students with the skills necessary to compete in a 21st century economy. Highlands Ranch is renowned for the quality of its teachers and schools and we must keep education as a top priority. With this perspective comes the responsibility to provide all Coloradans, especially children, with access to quality, affordable healthcare.