What experience (personal, professional, financial, other) would you bring to your role as Commissioner that will benefit our county?

I have served in numerous civic/political roles over the years such as:

•Colorado Springs Civil Service Commission (alternate)

•Delegate to multiple Republican nominating assemblies (2024 cycle)

•Delegate to multiple Democratic nominating assemblies (2026 cycle)

•Secretary of the El Paso County Young Democrats

•Academy School District 20 District Technology Advisory Committee

What are the most important duties and obligations of an El Paso County Commissioner, and what is your personal vision for the Board of County Commissioners?

The most important job of the EPC Commissioners is to responsibly regulate land use and craft the County’s budget while still staying true to the principles of small government. My personal vision for the Board is to bring back the citizens right of self governance, not governance that is dictated by developer donors, party bosses, partisan interests and the establishment. The main factor in every action and vote I take as a Commissioner will be the will and best interests of the citizens.

To what extent and in what manner should the County be regulating land use?

The County should strive to embody the idea of small government while complying with state law, only weighing in on matters when they are legally required to, not when they are legally allowed to. They should make every land use decision in a non-partisan manner with the will and best interests of the community being the guiding factor.

What is your experience in regard to understanding and managing large and complex budgets? If new resources became available, what single area of County services do you believe most needs additional funding, and what do you suggest that money be used for to improve the lives of El Paso County citizens?

If additional monetary resources became available to the County I would first want to focus on preserving the level of service the County provides all across the board (park management, public safety, emergency preparedness) in a time when the County government is facing budget cuts from the State and Federal levels. If I had to choose one issue to invest more in it would be water management. Ensuring ample access to clean, safe and reliable water sources is the most critical responsibility of any local government because without water most issues don’t seem significant.

Colorado's Sunshine Law and Taxpayer Bill of Rights are examples of accountability measures that Colorado's electorate voted into law. What are your beliefs on ethics in government, and how would you seek to improve accountability and transparency as they relate to the office of El Paso County Commissioner?

I believe ethics should and do play a big part in government. Ideals such as small government, self governance and non-partisan policies are a need for elected officials and are what I take into consideration when voting. To increase transparency and accountability I would advocate for an increased allowed time for public comment in regular meetings, allowing and encouraging Commissioners to respond to public comment when appropriate, town halls every month and lessened use of executive sessions. I would also do my best to educate the community on how the County government works through expanding the Citizens College program.

What is your position regarding overreach by the State Government? How will you use the power of your office as County Commissioner to defend the Constitutional rights of El Paso County citizens?

According to the Colorado Constitution, each County government and each Board of County Commissioners is an extension of the State government. While this means legally the State Government can do very little to overreach, in my opinion they use legality as an excuse to step beyond what and how a State government involves itself locally. The biggest tool County Commissioners have to stop the State Government from overreaching is their voice. Specifically what they say in the press and social media, testifying before the State Legislature and supporting State Legislature candidates that will support small government and stop government overreach.

If elected, how will you seek to protect the lives of the most vulnerable in our community, including the unborn, victims of trafficking and abuse, senior citizens, and those experiencing mental illness?

To protect the most vulnerable I will advocate for programs and media that inform the community to recognize signs of abuse, whether that be sexual abuse or organized scams. Specifically for the unborn, a big reason why women seek abortions is they feel their child won’t be met with the care that a child needs to grow up successfully. In response, as a Commissioner I will seek to improve and better fund the foster care/adoption, women and infant related programs within the County and State.

What are your thoughts on the establishment clause; and if elected, what will you do to protect your constituents' rights to freedom of religion, speech, peaceable assembly, and petitioning the government for a redress of grievances?

I believe that what the Establishment Clause advocates for is an important part of any Democracy or Republic. The most important being the freedom of religion which I believe encompasses every other principle within. I will frequently engage with the District Attorney and Sheriff’s office and then communicate with the public my findings to ensure all constitutional rights are being protected. In my opinion the right to petition the government should be an easier right to exercise so I would work to make the appeal process for County decisions easier to understand and undergo

There has been a rise in incidences of anti-Americanism and antisemitism in Colorado and across our nation. What do you view as the causes, and what should be done to address these issues?

A large cause of anti-semitism is the failure to distinguish the government of Israel from its people, the Jewish faith and those who practice it. As an elected official I will highlight the differences to lessen incidences of antisemitism. Those who commit hate crimes against Jewish or Israeli people should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. As an elected official I would have significant visibility within the Democratic Party and the community. I would work towards reigniting the spirit of patriotism within the Party and community, when both Parties and those outside of them have a sense of pride for their country the easier it is to work towards common goals.

Do you believe that illegal entries into the United States have led to problems in Colorado, and if so, what would you do to improve the situation? Also, what is your opinion of sanctuary cities and counties?

Illegal immigration is a large problem for the Country and Colorado. To improve the situation I would advocate for an easier/larger pathway to citizenship for nonviolent and skilled immigrants. For non-citizens who are convicted of violent crimes I am in support of deportation instead of putting the cost on the American taxpayer. I would also advocate for more humane treatment of everyone in regards to ICE (detention centers, officer behavior) as every human being is a child of God and for ICE to continue as they are now is an affront to Him. Sanctuary local governments should only exist if it is in agreement and best interest of the community and for our community, it is the wrong choice.

Many Christians are concerned about ideologies that place the state, the collective, or religious law above individual liberty and limited constitutional government. Do you believe socialism, communism, or political movements seeking to impose religious law — including Islamic Sharia law — are compatible with America's constitutional representative democracy? Why or why not?

Socialism is already present within the American government in the form of Social Security, food assistance (SNAP/EBT) and other important programs. I do not believe Communism is compatible with American life as it requires a size of government incompatible with limited, constitutional ideals. Religious laws from any religion should not be implemented to respect everyone’s freedom of religion.

What experience (personal, professional, financial, other) would you bring to your role as Commissioner that will benefit our county?

I have over two decades of experience as a small business owner, real estate broker, firefighter, and community leader. For the past five years I served as President of the Monument Academy School Board, where I have helped oversee large budgets, complex personnel decisions, long term planning, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. My experience in real estate gives me firsthand knowledge of land use, housing, infrastructure, and the impact government decisions have on families and businesses. As a firefighter, I learned the importance of public safety, crisis management, and servant leadership. Our county government should be transparent, fiscally responsible, and focused on protecting the freedoms and quality of life for all of our El Paso County citizens.

What are the most important duties and obligations of an El Paso County Commissioner, and what is your personal vision for the Board of County Commissioners?

The most important duties of a County Commissioner are protecting taxpayers, ensuring public safety, maintaining infrastructure, managing responsible growth, and defending the constitutional rights of citizens. Commissioners must provide oversight of county departments and budgets while remaining accountable to the people. My vision is for a county government that is transparent, fiscally disciplined, and focused on core services rather than unnecessary expansion. I will fight to make sure El Paso County remains one of the best places in Colorado to raise a family, start a business, and live freely. That means supporting law enforcement, improving roads, protecting property rights, and ensuring growth happens responsibly without sacrificing our community values.

To what extent and in what manner should the County be regulating land use?

Government should play a limited but important role in land use. Private property rights must remain central to county decision making. I support responsible planning that protects infrastructure, water resources, and public safety, but I oppose excessive regulation and politically driven restrictions that interfere with lawful use of private property. Much of El Paso County's zoning has been in place for decades, and property owners deserve consistency and fairness.

Growth should pay for itself whenever possible, and decisions should reflect the character and desires of local communities. County government should work with residents, not against them, while balancing economic opportunity, transportation needs, and preservation of the quality of life that makes El Paso County special.

What is your experience in regard to understanding and managing large and complex budgets? If new resources became available, what single area of County services do you believe most needs additional funding, and what do you suggest that money be used for to improve the lives of El Paso County citizens?

I have experience managing and overseeing large budgets through both my business background and my service on the Monument Academy School Board. That experience includes evaluating priorities, controlling costs, planning for long term obligations, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly. County government must focus on core services and avoid wasteful spending. If additional resources became available, my top priority would be public safety, roads, and transportation infrastructure. Rapid growth has increased congestion and strained existing road capacity across the county.

Additional funding should be used to improve public safety, road maintenance, expand critical corridors, improve traffic flow, and address long delayed infrastructure projects so residents can travel more safely and efficiently throughout El Paso County.

Colorado's Sunshine Law and Taxpayer Bill of Rights are examples of accountability measures that Colorado's electorate voted into law. What are your beliefs on ethics in government, and how would you seek to improve accountability and transparency as they relate to the office of El Paso County Commissioner?

I strongly support government transparency, open meetings, fiscal accountability, and the protections provided by TABOR and Colorado's Sunshine Laws. Public officials work for the people, and citizens deserve honest communication and access to information. I believe ethics in government starts with integrity, consistency, and accountability to the voters rather than political interests or special interests. As a Commissioner, I would support clear public reporting on spending, transparent decision making, and meaningful public input before major decisions are made. I also believe county government should stay focused on its constitutional responsibilities and avoid unnecessary expansion of power. Taxpayer dollars should be treated with the same care families use when managing their own household budgets.

What is your position regarding overreach by the State Government? How will you use the power of your office as County Commissioner to defend the Constitutional rights of El Paso County citizens?

State government overreach has become a growing concern in Colorado. Too often, one size fits all policies from Denver ignore the values and needs of local communities like El Paso County. I believe County Commissioners have a responsibility to stand firmly for constitutional rights against State Government when overreach interferes with local control. I will oppose mandates and policies that infringe on individual liberty, parental rights, property rights, and local control. As a Commissioner, I will work with other local leaders and counties to push back against unconstitutional overreach and ensure county government remains accountable to the people rather than political pressure from the state. Government exists to protect freedom, not restrict it.

If elected, how will you seek to protect the lives of the most vulnerable in our community, including the unborn, victims of trafficking and abuse, senior citizens, and those experiencing mental illness?

A compassionate society is measured by how it protects its most vulnerable, especially unborn children, victims of abuse and trafficking, seniors, and those struggling with mental illness. I believe every human life is valuable and worthy of protection from the moment of conception. While County Commissioners do not write abortion laws, they can support a culture that values life by partnering with organizations that provide resources for mothers, adoption support, parenting assistance, foster care, mental health services, and child protection. We must also aggressively combat human trafficking and elder abuse through strong law enforcement partnerships and community involvement. Protecting vulnerable people requires both compassion and accountability, with county government focused on strengthening families and supporting safe, healthy communities.

What are your thoughts on the establishment clause; and if elected, what will you do to protect your constituents' rights to freedom of religion, speech, peaceable assembly, and petitioning the government for a redress of grievances?

The First Amendment is foundational to a free society. Government should never punish or silence citizens for expressing their beliefs, practicing their faith, speaking freely, assembling peacefully, or petitioning their government. The Establishment Clause was intended to prevent the government from establishing a state religion, not to remove faith from public life. People of faith should never be treated as second class citizens in the public square. As a Commissioner, I will defend the constitutional rights of all residents and oppose efforts to suppress speech, target religious expression, or intimidate citizens for their political views. A healthy community depends on open debate, free expression, and the protection of individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution.

There has been a rise in incidences of anti-Americanism and antisemitism in Colorado and across our nation. What do you view as the causes, and what should be done to address these issues?

The rise in anti-Americanism and antisemitism is deeply concerning and reflects a broader cultural decline in civic education, historical understanding, and respect for the values that built this country. Too many institutions now teach people to view America only through the lens of division and oppression rather than freedom, opportunity, and individual responsibility. Antisemitism in particular must be confronted clearly and directly. There is no place for hatred or intimidation against Jewish communities or any religious group. We should strengthen education about American history and the Constitution, support law enforcement against hate crimes and violence, and encourage a culture that values patriotism, civil discourse, and respect for the dignity of every person.

Do you believe that illegal entries into the United States have led to problems in Colorado, and if so, what would you do to improve the situation? Also, what is your opinion of sanctuary cities and counties?

Illegal immigration has created serious challenges across Colorado, including pressure on public services, increased costs to taxpayers, and concerns about public safety and accountability. A nation without secure borders cannot effectively protect its citizens or maintain the rule of law. I support legal immigration and welcome those who follow the law, but illegal entry should not be rewarded. Sanctuary city policies undermine cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and place politics ahead of public safety. El Paso County should fully cooperate with lawful federal immigration authorities and ensure county resources are focused on citizens and legal residents. Compassion and security are not mutually exclusive, but the law must be enforced consistently and fairly.

Many Christians are concerned about ideologies that place the state, the collective, or religious law above individual liberty and limited constitutional government. Do you believe socialism, communism, or political movements seeking to impose religious law — including Islamic Sharia law — are compatible with America's constitutional representative democracy? Why or why not?

America’s constitutional system is founded on individual liberty, equal protection under the law, limited government, and religious freedom. Ideologies that concentrate power in the state, including socialism and communism, have historically eroded personal freedoms, economic opportunity, and religious liberty. Likewise, any movement seeking to place religious law above the Constitution is incompatible with representative government and equal justice under the law. In the United States, no citizen should lose rights because of their faith or be governed outside the Constitution. Americans are free to practice their beliefs, but no ideology, religion, or political movement should supersede the Constitution or undermine the rights and freedoms it guarantees equally to every citizen.