That was then. It’s not uncommon to be greeted or introduced over these past years, as ‘Congressman Should Have Been’. It’s a welcome salutation for it’s confirmation from friends and supporters, that my only campaign for office earned their respect and recognition.
In addition to winning, that’s exactly what I set out to do. Running for any elective office had never been on my to-do list although engagement and activism had always been in my family’s tradition. However, it was a direct result of experiencing genuinely inspiring people, which in Colorado in the 1970s weren’t hard to find.
My congresswoman in the U.S. House growing up, was Denver’s Pat Schroeder. I was fortunate enough to get to know Pat much better when I worked in Washington D.C. after college. I’ve heard her tell the story of her freshman term, beginning in January of 1973, as she tried to take her appointed seat on the House Armed Services Committee, the first woman in American history to do so. It’s a great story which always encapsulated for me the courage required for ground-breaking leadership.
Two years later, as a high school senior, I found myself serving as a legislative aide to a young Denver state representative. It was my very good fortune to observe Colorado’s new 39 yr. old Governor Dick Lamm initiate his first term. Lamm won his governorship on the basis of his success leading a Colorado citizen’s referendum essentially spurning the International Olympic Committee which had awarded Colorado the hosting of 1976 Winter Olympics. Not because Lamm didn’t like winter sports, because he cared more about stewarding Colorado’s growth with foresight for succeeding generations. He loved Colorado. And still does!
Even more notably, Dick Lamm drafted, sponsored and passed the nation’s first women’s access to abortion law. In 1967! A bill signed into law by Colorado’s Republican governor at the time, John Love.
In that same 1974 ‘Watergate election’, Colorado elected Gary Hart to the U.S. Senate and Timothy Wirth (first Democrat to represent Colorado’s Second Congressional District). All of these people served as my role models of Democratic elected officials who felt a special responsibility. They all demonstrated why Colorado would become known as a national political bellwether state; by how they conducted themselves, cared about their constituents and represented Colorado values. Candidly, I’ve always felt that possessing their intellect, abilities and courage was a job requirement. They still do inspire me.
This is now. January 21, 2017 was another very inspiring day. When I joined Colorado’s Women’s March the richness of that experience completely reversed my grumpy/Trumpy attitude. Colorado women of all ages, by the hundreds of thousands, became activists that day and it was a beautiful sight to see. For someone who’s been an engaged activist for progressive causes and Colorado values for the better part of a lifetime, it felt like the cavalry had arrived and they were determined!
When average everyday people are galvanized to step up, because they feel their very citizenship requires them to be heard, it’s electrifying!
The grassroots movements, engaged activists, newly minted political candidates, citizen-lobbyists and intersectional coalitions are all the organic result of the Women’s March and subsequent events such as the Science March (personally even more inspiring as the proud father of a daughter completing her Ph.D. in physics)
It’s that very inspiration that’s drawn me to consider, becoming a Democratic candidate for US House of Representatives. Timothy Wirth, David Skaggs, Mark Udall and most recently Jared Polis have all distinguished themselves and Colorado by their service representing Colorado’s Second Congressional District.
2018 could and should be a watershed election. It’s up to us to begin the transformational reinvention of the Democratic Party. 2018’s a rare opportunity to learn the lessons of the 2014 and 2016 election results, and make the Democratic Party a welcome home for all these new highly committed activists.
That’s what a robust inclusive CD2 Democratic primary can and should help accomplish. Which inspires me!