2018 CO Governor's race: on Civil Rights

Walker Stapleton: My grandfather was in the KKK but I denounce racism

For the first time, Walker Stapleton is talking candidly about his great grandfather's role in the KKK, and his views on racism.

Stapleton's ancestral family has a history of public service dating back more than a century, something Stapleton touted in campaign ads. He noted his great grandfather served 5 terms as Denver's mayor and helped build the first civic center in Colorado, and the first municipal airport in the Mile High City.

But Benjamin Stapleton's legacy also includes a dark chapter. He was a high ranking member of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920's, which had infiltrated both parties and virtually all levels of government.

Stapleton says he's not his great grandfather--he was born 25 years after the elder Stapleton died--but he hasn't expressly denounced Benjamin Stapleton's involvement in the KKK, until now. "I categorically condemn racism of all forms and I categorically condemn hate organizations and they will have no place in my administration as governor," he said.

Source: CBS Denver on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race Aug 28, 2018

Raul Labrador: Orientation/gender identity shouldn't bar employment

My vision for Colorado is that we are a fully inclusive state allowing everyone to succeed based on merit and ability, including in public safety professions. Source: Summit Daily on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race Jul 26, 2017

Jared Polis: Would be Colorado's first openly gay Governor

U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, the Boulder Democrat who represents Colorado's 2nd Congressional District, announced his gubernatorial bid in June. He told The Denver Post his platform would focus on getting the state to 100 percent renewable energy by 2040, providing free access to full-day preschool or kindergarten for those three and older, and encouraging companies in Colorado to provide stock options to employees. He would be Colorado's first openly gay Governor. Source: Colorado Times-Recorder on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race Apr 17, 2017

Victor Mitchell: Voted against Trump due to misogyny concerns

His pitch may draw comparisons to President Donald Trump, but Mitchell didn't vote for the Republican nominee. Instead, he voted for third-party candidate Evan McMullin.

"I've been a lifelong Republican, but I couldn't get there," he said. "My son's a West Point cadet. And the way (Trump) spoke about women was very concerning."

Still, Mitchell said Trump has his respect and he applauded him for putting together "a terrific Cabinet."

Source: Denver Post on 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial race Feb 13, 2017

Mike Johnston: Participated in Women's March in Denver

Q: You took part in the Women's March in Denver? Did that symbolize the kind of Colorado that you'd like to lead?

A: I found that event to be incredibly inspiring. It had the sense of a Colorado where everybody belongs--where people were inclusive about differences, where everybody was not only tolerated, but supported. I believe there's a way to both be different and be connected, and I think what you saw was a real strong engagement. I saw a bunch of my neighbors there who I know for a fact have not been engaged in politics before. They're just not political people, but they are people who feel that the brand their country has been given is not who they are, and they want to take ownership over this state speaking for them and speaking for their values and their background. This election was a wake-up call that we can't fundamentally leave the public square for other people to solve.

Source: Westword interview on 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial race Jan 25, 2017

The above quotations are from 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights. Click here for other issues (main summary page). Click here for more quotes by John Hickenlooper on Civil Rights. Click here for more quotes by Mike Johnston on Civil Rights.
*Candidates and political leaders on Civil Rights:*
*Gubernatorial Debates 2020:* DE: vs.Carney(incumbent) vs.Williams(D) IN: vs.Holcomb(incumbent) vs.Melton(D) vs.Myers(D) MO: Parson(incumbent) vs.Galloway(D) vs.Neely(R) MT: Bullock(retiring) vs.Fox(R) vs.Perry(R) vs.Gianforte(R) vs.~~Stapleton~~(R) vs.Olszewski(R) vs.Neill(D) vs.Schreiner(D) vs.Cooney(D) vs.Williams(D) NC: Cooper(incumbent) vs.Forest(R) vs.Grange(R) ND: Burgum(incumbent) vs.Coachman(R) vs.Lenz(D) NH: Sununu(incumbent) vs.Volinsky(D) vs. fsFeltes(D) PR: Rossello(D) vs.Garced(D) vs.Pierluisi(D) UT: Herbert(retiring) vs.Huntsman(R) vs.Cox(R) vs.Burningham(R) vs.Newton(D) vs.Hughes(R) VT: Scott(incumbent) vs.Holcombe(D) vs.Zuckerman(D) WA: Inslee(incumbent) vs.Bryant(R) vs.Fortunato(R) WV: Justice(incumbent) vs.Folk(R) vs.Thrasher(R) vs.Vanover(D) vs.Smith(D) vs.Ron Stollings(D)	*Gubernatorial Debates 2021:* NJ: Murphy(D) vs.Ciattarelli(R) VA: Northam(D,term-limited) vs.Herring(D) vs.Chase(R) vs.Fairfax(D) *Gubernatorial Debates 2019:* KY: Bevin(R) vs.~~Goforth~~(R,lost primary) vs.~~Adkins~~(D,lost primary) vs.Beshear(D) vs.~~Edelen~~(D,lost primary) LA: Edwards(D) vs.Rispone(R) vs.Abraham(R) vs.~~Kennedy~~(R,declined) MS: ~~Bryant~~(R,retiring) vs.Foster(R) vs.Hood(D) vs.Reeves(R) vs.Waller(R)
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Page last updated: Apr 07, 2021