Democrat Mary Parker is running to represent Colorado’s 22nd House District, which encompasses parts of Jefferson County. She faces a challenge from incumbent Rep. Colin Larson, a Republican, and Margot Herzl, a Libertarian.
What motivates you to run for office?
I believe that public service is an honorable profession and that those who have benefited from the resources and opportunities available in our country should give back. I’m running to fulfill the promises of the preamble of our constitution: establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
What experience do you have that makes you qualified for the job?
I am a small business owner and have also worked in the corporate world as a Systems Engineer for Hewlett-Packard. For the past 13 years, I have worked as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for neglected and abused children in Jefferson County. In addition, I have served on several non-profit Executive Boards and on the Citizens Advisory Committee of the Jefferson County Board of Education. I am a mother of 4 and grandmother of 6 and was a Local Group Lead for the Columbine Moms Demand Action. In addition, I am a member of the Colorado Gun Owners for Safety.
What are your top three policy issues, and how would you address those issues if elected?
My 3 top issues are:
1. Safe schools and neighborhoods, especially in the area of gun violence prevention – I will support legislation that ensures that guns are stored safely and that they are kept out of the hands of violent people.
2. Universal access to affordable health care – I will support a state public option for health care.
3. Social Justice – I will support legislation that reforms law enforcement policies, sentencing guidelines, and eliminates private prisons.
What key issues set you apart from your opponent? Where do you most closely align?
My opponent supports the policies of Donald Trump while I believe we should not separate immigrant children from their parents, we should not repeal the Affordable Care Act, we should not allow unstable people to possess guns, and we should not allow racism and excessive force to be used by law enforcement.
My opponent and I most closely align in the area of support for small businesses.
If you could snap your fingers and make one law in Colorado, what would it be?
If I could snap my fingers and make one law in Colorado it would be to eliminate the revenue constraints in TABOR that prevent the state from keeping all the revenue it receives in taxes.
Learn more about Mary Parker on her campaign website.
