Cary Kennedy in 2018 CO Governor's race
On Abortion:
Endorsed by EMILY's List for pro-choice women
EMILY's List is proud to have supported Cary for over a decade. Colorado has never before elected a woman governor, and Cary is poised to make history as the first. Women remain underrepresented in these powerful executive leadership positions, and as
governor Cary will be able to make a tremendous positive impact in the lives of women and families. The GOP will fight for this governorship with all they've got, so let's show Cary the full support of the EMILY's List community.
Source: Emily's List press release: 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
Mar 6, 2018
On Families & Children:
Family adopted sister via faith-based organization
Cary's mother, a social worker, served hundreds of Denver's most vulnerable children and families, and taught Cary the importance of supporting the members of their community in times of need. Raised with three brothers and sisters who joined
her family through the foster care program and a sister who joined her family through a faith-based organization, Cary saw the power of giving children the opportunity to succeed--inspiring her exceptional career of service.
Source: Emily's List press release: 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
Mar 6, 2018
On Gun Control:
No military assault weapons; universal background checks
The nine candidates at the forum answered several questions about firearm restrictions, the opioid crisis, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and growth, among others.Following the Parkland, Florida, school shooting, the candidates were clear--and differed
from one another--on their stances regarding gun restrictions. Here's what they had to say.
Democrat Cary Kennedy, former state treasurer: "We are so proud of the students in this school district who walked out and marched in protest of
the horrific violence in Florida in recognition that it is our kids, it is our students, who are the targets and victims of mass shootings all across this country," Kennedy said.
She believes it's time to ban military assault weapons in the
United States and supports mandates of universal background checks. She advocates for a "Red Flag" law, which would allow guns to be taken away from those who show risk to themselves or others.
Source: The Coloradoan on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial debate
Mar 3, 2018
On Environment:
Colorado can be national model on wind energy & cleantech
My goal as governor is for Colorado to have the cleanest air in the country, and to be a model for the nation in using wind and solar energy.We can accomplish these goals and strengthen Colorado's economy. We can keep electricity affordable, reduce
carbon pollution and bring new jobs to Colorado, especially in rural areas. In 2015, cleantech businesses employed 4,250 workers in eastern Colorado alone. This lays the foundation for economic prosperity for our state for decades to come.
Source: DailyKos.com article for 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
Jun 2, 2017
On Energy & Oil:
Oil & gas are important, but protect public health
Gov. Hickenlooper will decide by May 18˙whether his Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) will appeal a˙court decision saying the COGCC˙must give more weight to health and safety than to development. How would Colorado's Democratic candidates
for governor handle this important oil-and-gas court ruling[Cary Kennedy's response:] Public health and safety must be our top priority. We can and must do more to protect public health and our communities.
Given the information that is publicly available I don't believe appealing the court's ruling is consistent with that priority. This is an important industry to Colorado and I'm confident together we can do more to improve safety for workers and
communities and protect public health and safety. This court ruling presents an opportunity to address the conflicting mission of the oil and gas commission and clarify the priority is public health and safety.
Source: Colorado Independent on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
May 15, 2017
On Education:
Led Amendment 23: reduce budget cuts to public schools
Kennedy served as state treasurer from 2007 to 2011. She's said education would be her top priority. In 2000, she wrote and led the campaign for Amendment 23, which reduced budget cuts to public schools. She told The Colorado Independent that her
biggest feat as state treasurer was implementing the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program, which allocated funds to build new schools and renovate existing ones. Kennedy announced her campaign in a controversial Facebook live video.
Source: Colorado Times-Recorder on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
Apr 17, 2017
On Budget & Economy:
Balanced budget after citizens vote on taxes
When I was CFO in Denver, Denver was recognized as one of the best financially run cities in the country. And also, Forbes, for the first time, recognized Denver as the number-one city in the country to do business.
I worked with the mayor and worked with local businesses to streamline our taxes, to ensure that they have the opportunity to be more successful, to be competitive. So keeping our taxes low is something that's important to me, and
it will be important to me as governor--making sure we have our budget balanced. Our citizens have the final say, and I support the right of our citizens to vote on taxes. But we also need to make sure that we have a budget that allows us to make the
investment in our communities that pays long-term returns on those investments. That's investing in education, and it also allows us to invest in modern infrastructure that allows us to keep up with the demands of a growing economy.
Source: Westword.com on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
Mar 30, 2017
On Education:
Make college more affordable, including tech & vocational
We know that in the future, seven out of ten jobs are going to require some higher education, some higher skills. And yet in Colorado, not even three out of ten kids who grow up here are getting any kind of higher-education degree--
not an associate's degree, not a bachelor's degree--within six years of leaving high school.We can do much more in our high schools to give kids employable skills when they graduate.
That includes technical and professional and vocational courses we can offer in high school. And we can also make college more affordable. We need to do that as a state. We can do it as a state.
I'll talk as a candidate and as governor about the importance of making education a top priority here in Colorado.
Source: Westword.com on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
Mar 30, 2017
On Families & Children:
Supports foster care via faith-based organizations
I grew up in a family that was committed to service, to reaching out and helping others.
That's what inspired me to work in public service. I grew up in a family with three brothers and sisters who joined my family through the foster care program, and I also have a sister who joined my family through a faith-based organization.
So I grew up with kids who didn't have the same opportunities I had, and I saw firsthand how important it is that we provide opportunities for people--and to most of those kids growing up here in Colorado, the only opportunities they get is through
our public schools. It's one of the reasons I'm so passionate about making sure that every child in Colorado and every school in our state provides opportunities that give them the foundation for lifelong success.
Source: Westword.com on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
Mar 30, 2017
On Immigration:
Keep local cops out of immigration
Immigration is a federal issue. The failing of Washington to implement an immigration system that works for our families and our businesses--it's Washington's failure.
For us locally in Colorado, it's really important that all people here feel comfortable with their local law enforcement.
We want everyone to report crimes when they see them, we want everyone to feel that they can report, for example, child abuse or domestic abuse. We don't ever want to create an environment where people are afraid of their own local police officers.
So we need to leave immigration as a federal issue and we need to have our local law enforcement focus on protecting our communities.
Source: Westword.com on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
Mar 30, 2017
On Technology:
Rural areas need transportation & broadband infrastructure
My track record while I was state treasurer was to bring the largest investment in infrastructure to rural Colorado that I know of in recent history--over $1 billion in school construction, most of which has gone into small, rural communities.
I understand that rural areas of Colorado have unique needs and unique concerns. That's transportation, that's broadband, that's transmission, that's educational infrastructure.
And what I hear is that they want someone in the Capitol to be their partner--someone who'll listen to them and respect that they know what's best in their community and they just need someone in the
Capitol who will support them in accomplishing their objectives. That was my track record as treasurer, and that is the type of leadership I will bring to the Capitol as governor.
Source: Westword.com on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
Mar 30, 2017
On Tax Reform:
OpEd: proudly championed the state's mill levy freeze
Let's pause for a minute to remember the issues that Kennedy is trying to avoid talking about, and why she is losing in every poll taken to date.- First, she authored the budget-busting state spending mandate known as
Amendment 23, a move which has plunged Colorado into fiscal chaos through its failed pledge to improve our state's public schools.
- Second, she proudly championed the state's mill levy freeze, hiking our property taxes by nearly
$4 billion just when Coloradans can least afford it.
- Third and fourth, and honestly too many times to count, she helped Governor Ritter disguise tax hikes as "fee" hikes so voters couldn't have a say in whether we should pay more to government--
a questionable move for a leader charged with protecting our voice from other forces in state government.
Source: Huffington Post on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
May 25, 2011
Page last updated: Apr 07, 2021