Article Contributed on: 11/7/2006 4:31:45 PM
Ken Caryl, Littleton, Columbine and Morrison residents cast their votes today for candidates in state house districts 1, 22, 25 and 28 along with state senate districts 21, 22 and 32.
Voters also decided on a number of Jefferson County seats including District 3 commissioner, clerk and recorder, treasurer, assessor, sheriff and coroner.
Additionally, Foothills Park and Recreation District is proposing a 1.5 mill increase in the current levy which funds park and recreation services for South Jeffco residents. If approved, funds generated from the tax increase would be used to offset rising utility and operation costs, and to fund a capital repair program for existing parks and facilities.
To see the poll numbers as they come in, click
here.
House District 1
Republican
Aimee Rathburn, 49, is into nonprofit fundraising and management. She has lived in Southwest Denver district for 20 years and has a history of community service. The issues she is concerned with and hears about the most are illegal immigration, education, growth, health care and eminent domain abuse.
Democrat
Jeanne Labuda, an attorney has been active in her community for more than 25 years and currently serves on the community advisory board for the Father Ed Judy House and is a chair on the board of directors for Cameron United Methodist Church. The 59-year-old believes the biggest issues facing the community are health care and implementing a statewide prescription drug-purchasing plan; education, which she says is a Colorado child's key to the American Dream; and public safety - to provide police and firemen with top-notch equipment.
House District 22
Republican
Kenneth Summers, 52, is a former pastor for Dakota Ridge Assembly and president of Jericho Road Mentoring and a nonprofit organization consultant. Summers believes the biggest issues citizens are concerned about are illegal immigration, protecting our quality of life through well planned growth that protects open space, keeping taxes low and providing children with educational opportunities. He also believes families are concerned about affordable health care options.
Democrat
Jayson Haberkorn, 31, is a fifth and sixth grade teacher at Blue Heron Elementary in Littleton and is very proud of the work he does as a teacher and motivator. Haberkorn says the biggest issue he hears about from citizens is feelings of disenfranchisement with their government. He says people want a reasonable, honest and fair individual to vote for and says he is that alternative.
House District 25
Republican incumbent
Robert Witwer, 35, believes water conservation, fostering parental involvement in an accountable and fully-funded school system, access to quality health care, getting serious about illegal immigration, keeping taxes and regulation in check and maintaining civility in our political dialogue are issues for District 25. Witwer said of bills he sponsored in the past year, "One bill, the Backcountry Access Act, opens up hiking trails to the public by giving landowners liability protection."
Democrat
Mike Daniels 47, who works in book publishing and member of numerous community clubs, says land and water use, fire protection, transportation, health care and education are issues for District 25.
House District 28
Republican incumbent
Jim Kerr, 62 says health care, education, public safety and the impacts of illegal immigration are issues District 28 currently faces. Kerr is an appraiser for Jeffco and as a representative, he feels he has passed bills that have helped his constituents and the state.
Democrat
Thomas Dittemore, 60, a carpenter who served in the U.S. Army believes health care and the environment are issues for District 28 and says there are "still a lot of unanswered questions on education and senior issues, as well as immigration."
Libertarian
Aaron Chase, 29, a supervisor for Qwest and who volunteers for the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center on weekends says, "A good education for the children in our community and making more opportunities available to help our less fortunate citizens," are the main issues concerning District 28.
Senate District 21
Republican candidate
Matthew Knoedler, 31, who currently serves as state representative in District 22 and is a policy advisor and realtor, once worked for two Congressmen who represented Lakewood as well as Governor
Bill Owens.
He said the biggest issues facing the community include illegal immigration, health care and education. Knoedler feels Colorado should form a state law enforcement task force to tackle illegal immigration, supports bulk purchasing of prescription drugs to lower costs and would like to implement ways to make it easier for parents to get involved in their children's school activities.
Democrat incumbent
Betty Boyd, 63, previously served as a state representative and legislative advocate for the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry. Boyd has served on the boards of the Jeffco Action Center and Lutheran Family Services of Colorado, Lakewood AAUW and volunteered in schools.
For Boyd, the biggest issues include access to affordable and
high quality healthcare, quality public education and good jobs.
Senate District 22
Republican
Mike Kopp, 37, is a small business owner who was a soldier in the Gulf War and serves on the board of directors for a local public charter school. He was appointed to the Jefferson Center Mental Health Board and is active in his church.
Kopp said public school safety, affordable health care and extending education opportunities for every child are priorities.
Democrat
Paula Noonan, 58, is a business communication consultant and educator who led the bond campaign that built Dakota Ridge High School, Summit Ridge Middle School, and Powderhorn Elementary and renovated Columbine, Bear Creek, and the other older schools in Jefferson County.
Improving schools and health care, controlling immigration problems and investing in alternative energy and biomedicine as economic development for the state are among Noonan's concerns.
Senate District 32
Republican
Dave Lewis, 57, is a retired accountant who volunteers for United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity and the election commission Spanish language community board among others.
Lewis said the biggest issues for him include health care costs, job stability and crime control as well as education improvements and affordability.
Democrat
Chris Romer, 46, is a public finance banker who serves as chair of the Colorado Children's Campaign and fought to improve preschool funding and health care for all children.
Romer's top concerns include education, health care and sustainable energy. Romer would like to see an increase in education funding, health care for every child in the state and to see Colorado become the Silicon Valley of sustainable energy.