Four candidates are vying for the chance to be the Republican nominee for governor of Colorado. Republicans haven’t elected a governor since Bill Owens, whose term ended in 2007. Whoever wins the primary will face off against the victor of an equally competitive Democratic contest.
Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, is barred by term limits from running again.
The primary is June 26. Ballots have already been mailed, and they must be received by your local county clerk no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day. For the first time, unaffiliated voters, who make up a third of Colorado’s electorate, can participate in the primary. Unaffiliated voters must pick ONE ballot. If you vote both a Democratic and a Republican ballot, neither will count.
Find voter registration information here.
Colorado’s next governor will have an important role to play in shaping education policy. To better understand their positions, we asked the candidates about their own educational experiences and choices, how they would close the achievement gap, whether Colorado should fund full-day kindergarten, and more.
Education hasn’t played the same role in the Republican primary as it has among Democrats, where it’s become a focal point of debate. That may be because there are fewer differences among the candidates on this side.
Find their answers below. You can sort by candidate. They have been lightly edited for grammar, style, and length.
You can read the Democratic candidates’ responses here.