What priorities and vision do you have for the office of Colorado State Senator, and how would your personal and professional experience contribute to that?

My priorities are defending our constitutional rights from ongoing attacks by the radical left, including parental rights, free speech, religious liberty, and the Second Amendment. I will tackle the cost-of-living crisis (energy, housing, excessive taxes/fees), reduce crime with tougher criminal penalties, repeal sanctuary state laws, continue my decades-long fight against human sex trafficking, and work for pro-life policies.

Colorado has reached a tipping point, and families are feeling the consequences. As a former Air Force Colonel (JAG) and State Representative, I know how to work effectively to make needed changes in Colorado law. I will use my legal experience, ability to work with others, and a deep understanding of the legislative process to deliver results for CO families and businesses.

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 Colorado State Senator?

As an Air Force JAG for 29 years, it was my duty to enforce the ethics code. I know firsthand that people must be held accountable for misconduct. Public officials should meet the highest standards of integrity, and government should serve the people, not special interests. As a State Representative, I remained accessible through monthly town halls, newsletters, and direct communication with constituents. I will continue that practice as your State Senator--answering your questions directly and being accountable for my votes. I will push for regular financial and performance audits of agencies to root out fraud, waste, and abuse of dollars. Those who commit fraud must be prosecuted, and officials who recklessly waste public funds disciplined.

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?

Recent court rulings on the Establishment Clause make clear that Colorado cannot discriminate against religious organizations who want to participate in state programs open to non-public organizations - ex., childcare assistance, school grants. I take my oath of office to uphold the Constitution seriously and will demand state compliance. As a State Representative, I cosponsored legislation stating that “no state action may burden a person’s exercise of religion.” I also cosponsored the Parents Bill of Rights, and fought the radical Left’s anti-parent legislation. I opposed bills trying to silence pregnancy centers and the pro-life movement. I will lead the fight to repeal anti-parent laws given recent favorable court rulings. It is my highest priority to defend our constitutional rights.

In light of recent Colorado legislation and US Supreme Court's rulings regarding our nation's historical tradition of firearms regulation, what steps would you take to protect the rights of the people while addressing gun violence?

I am proud to be endorsed by the Colorado NRA Chapter, CSSA, and Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition. I fought against anti-gun legislation, and cosponsored bills to repeal unconstitutional firearm restrictions and authorize constitutional carry. I voted to repeal Colorado’s red flag law. As a passionate 2A advocate, I have continued testifying against anti-2A bills, and have made significant donations to fund litigation. As your Senator, I will continue defending our constitutional right to keep and bear arms. The SCOTUS Bruen decision reaffirmed strong protection for 2nd Amendment rights, and we must work with the Administration and litigation firms to challenge these unconstitutional state laws. I also support tougher penalties for criminals who use firearms while committing crimes or steal firearms.

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 of anti-Americanism is due to lack of civics education and a skewed view of our country on social media. I am deeply concerned by how little young people know about our system of government and the US Constitution. That is why I passed legislation strengthening civics standards in Colorado schools. My bill required teaching of our historical documents, with specific emphasis on the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Antisemitism is spreading due to hateful individuals and groups in social media and politics. Targeting individuals because they are Jewish is wrong and unacceptable. Threats or acts of violence against Jewish individuals or synagogues must be fully prosecuted. History has shown that when antisemitism is tolerated, division and hatred grow.

If elected, what initiatives would you champion to improve Colorado's economy, including policies on water, energy, and other resources, and how would you make your office more fiscally responsible?

My initiatives:

(1) repeal laws that are blocking construction of affordable multi-family homes (townhomes, condos), and that increase the cost of other housing options;

(2) reject 100% renewable energy policies that are driving up utility bills, and keep the right to choose natural gas.

(3) reduce taxes and fees hurting family budgets and businesses—defend TABOR!

Businesses are leaving because of excessive regulations--this must change. We must better manage our water so wells don’t run dry, and we can support future growth. With my experience in water law, I will work with experts to improve long-term planning statewide. As a legislator, I have never taken taxpayer-financed conference trips and I will not do so as your State Senator.

If elected, how would you help improve the educational outcomes for Colorado's students, and what is your position on parental authority in K-12 education, including school choice and parental notification?

Schools should be fully funded as required by the Colorado Constitution. With many schools failing academically, we must refocus education policy on strong academics, student achievement, and classroom safety—not politics. I strongly support school choice and believe per-pupil funding should follow the student, empowering parents to choose the best educational option.

I am horrified by state laws and school staff usurping parental rights and fought against these bills. Parent notification and consent should be required for sex education, healthcare decisions, and issues involving gender dysphoria. In partnership with grassroots organizations like Protect Kids Colorado, I will fight to restore parental authority and transparency, including repealing laws that allow schools to refer children to psychotherapy without parental notification or consent.

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?

I am pro-life. As a state legislator, I voted against abortion legislation and cosponsored pro-life bills to save the unborn. Although Colorado Constitution’s obscene abortion provisions limit pro-life legislation, we can still protect life by preventing state persecution of pregnancy centers, making fetal homicide (unrelated to abortion) a criminal offense, and expanding support for birth and adoption. I passed bills protecting sex trafficking victims, including victim recovery to address their deep trauma. I supported laws against elder abuse and senior scams. I sponsored bills for a portable senior homestead exemption. We must improve Colorado’s mental health system by increasing access to inpatient treatment, while reducing bureaucracy and delays that frustrate loving family members seeking care for an ill family member.

What are your priorities for addressing crime in Colorado, including issues such as cybercrime and the slavery of human trafficking, and how do you view the role of state policy in addressing immigration-related challenges and coordination with federal authorities? Also, what is your opinion regarding sanctuary city (or county) policies?

My priorities include combating human trafficking, illegal drugs killing our young people, and cybercrime targeting youth and seniors, reforming bail laws, increasing penalties for violent crime, and stopping retail theft. I oppose legislation that handcuffs law enforcement and undermines public safety. As a legislator in the Minority, I passed numerous public safety bills regarding human trafficking, aggravated child abuse, revenge porn, and retail theft. I voted against sanctuary legislation and oppose sanctuary policies at the state, county, or city level. Law enforcement should cooperate with ICE regarding criminal illegal immigrants in local jails. I also oppose using taxpayer dollars to provide free healthcare and other benefits to illegal immigrants, especially at the expense of our citizens who are struggling.

Do you believe that elections should be conducted differently in order to ensure integrity and confidence? Should people be required to show proof of citizenship in order to register to vote, and/or be required to show a Government-issued ID to cast their vote?

As a retired military member, I dedicated my career to defending the Constitution and the rights and freedoms it guarantees. Confidence in our elections is fundamental to our republic, and election laws should promote both security and public trust. I prefer in-person voting, with appropriate accommodations for military personnel, overseas voters, seniors, and others who require absentee ballots. Whether we move to in-person voting or continue the current mail ballot system, proof of citizenship should be required for voter registration and voter ID required for voting. Given the importance of these issues, I cosponsored bills on proof of citizenship, photo ID, and updating voter registration rolls. I will continue to work for improvements in our election system.

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?

Sharia law, socialism, and communism are not compatible with our constitutional republican form of government. In our country, laws are made only by our government, not by religious groups. Honor killings and marital rape are crimes, period. Communism and socialism hijack the government apparatus to enforce their oppressive views on what we believe, what we can say, and what we must do in our lives. Our constitutional government is designed to protect the individual from these attacks. Under our First Amendment, religious faith is a matter for the individual. The government cannot establish a religion nor interfere with the free exercise of religion. As an American and a Christian, I will defend our Constitution and freedoms from attack.

What priorities and vision do you have for the office of Colorado State Senator, and how would your personal and professional experience contribute to that?

Some may say I do not have the experience to run as a Colorado State Senator. However, I have National and International experience as a resource manager in all areas of budget and operations. It is even twice as hard to be a black man, a christian, and an American and successfully support some of the tasks I have had to accomplish in Muslim countries. No state official can come close to understanding the guard rails, and boundries, customs and courtesies required to operate abroad. I did that successfully and effectively with budgets ranging into the millions of dollars. Every task completed on-time and under budget and in the highest interest of the United States of America.

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 Colorado State Senator?

I was one that voted for TABOR. However, after learning of the mechanics of TABOR, I believe it should be revised as the Taxpayer is left out of the process. TABOR restricts the state's ability to raise revenue and increase spending without voter approval.. Does the State need and should have the ability to raise revenue? Yes. However, that money eventually comes from your and my pocket. We should understand where funds originate, what is the tax burden and for how long. The state should use every means available to balance their budget and to "live within its means". If we are expected to do that, then we should expect the same from our state government.

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 was a child demonstrator in the Civil Rights movement in Georgia. Now I will do everything within my legal rights to support my constituents rights to freedom of religion, speech, peaceful assembly and for the petitioning the government for redress of grievances. These are guarantees that our founding fathers had the foresight to write and perserve for all Americans. Particulary with the Freedom of Religion, I respect the rights of others to exercise their Freedom of Religion. However, when that Freedom crosses the lines of hate and into uses of terror or threat, that individual(s) gives up their rights of protection and should bear the full weight of the law.

In light of recent Colorado legislation and US Supreme Court's rulings regarding our nation's historical tradition of firearms regulation, what steps would you take to protect the rights of the people while addressing gun violence?

I am the owner of several firearms and a concealed carry permit. I believe in self protection.

I, on occasion, train with these firearms. I have been a decades-long member of the U.S. Concealed Carry Association.My college major, Law Enforcement. I am a 13-year business member of the County Sheriff’s of Colorado. Do I believe in the right to bear arms? Absolutely. The question is do we have a problem with criminal or accidental deaths and injuries. Yes. We need someone like me that RESPECTS firearms, have been trained in their use to champion this problem. A bipartisan council should assemble and come up with sensible approaches on how we can resolve this problem.

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?

Causes of Anti-Americanism and Anti-semitism lay in lack of information as well as racism. I have been told to "go back where I came from" meaning Africa. However, I am from Georgia (USA) and my family has been in this country for generations if not centuries: helping to make this country the best it can be. However, neo-nazis, the Klan, and other radical organizations truly believe that their negative plight is caused by someone else. They choose leaders that echo that same sentiment, when they dont even understand that those they elect, would not invite them to a seat at thier own table--that is lack of information. Our constitution and Bill of rights should seperate the "wheat from the chaff".

If elected, what initiatives would you champion to improve Colorado's economy, including policies on water, energy, and other resources, and how would you make your office more fiscally responsible?

Colorado has a long history in dealing with water rights. We also need Federal oversight with this when it comes to the intersection with adjoining states. However, local management should have leverage in water usage due to climate change and the drought we are facing now. For example, in Custer County, they have a system of reporting water usage yearly for rural residents. Set boundaries for what is acceptable usage and what is clear waste. We take out of the ground what is necessary for farming and agriculture and have guardrails for what may be excessive or even wasteful. In any case, this must involve homeowners and business such as data centers. Colorado Springs is in the role right now.

If elected, how would you help improve the educational outcomes for Colorado's students, and what is your position on parental authority in K-12 education, including school choice and parental notification?

First, not all students are able to complete higher levels of education. Money can many times be a determining factor. However, there are students that know what they want and we should design courses to help them reach that goal; especially in our junior colleges. Do it as quickly as possible. Parents should have the right to choose the educational direction for their children. That could mean attending a religious institution if they so desire or be home schooled if that is one of their priorities. However, the bottom line is for the student upon completion of K-12, they should be able to transition to college level studies with a cirriculum that meets local, state and national standards.

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?

Our aged and children have a target on their backs. Parents and gaurdians have a key role to play but they can't do it by themselves. Those that zero on the aged and our children should receive the maximum punishment required by law. Victims of trafficking requre the best mental and physical support they can be given. They should not be victims twice: from the crime and the lack of rehabilitative services. Mental illness is complex. 1st there has to be an accepted and dignified way to identify them and a way to communicate that to law enforcement. That way law enforment will have a better way to understand a situation when they arrive on the scene of a call.

What are your priorities for addressing crime in Colorado, including issues such as cybercrime and the slavery of human trafficking, and how do you view the role of state policy in addressing immigration-related challenges and coordination with federal authorities? Also, what is your opinion regarding sanctuary city (or county) policies?

To combat crime, 100% support to law enforcement is key. Cybercrime should be at the top of our priorities, especially for our elderly and children. Crimes against the aged is high. Keep cyber-criminals from our children. There should be zero tolerance from the community on human trafficking. The state has a role in enforcing federal immigration laws along with the Federal Govt. The state can handle most enforcement responsibilities independent of the Federal Govt. With adequate federal funding, state and local law enforcement can perform these duties effectively. There should be no need for Sanctuary cities in the 1st place. Establishing trust is 90% of the job done. Gain that trust between and we could have an effective immigration program.

Do you believe that elections should be conducted differently in order to ensure integrity and confidence? Should people be required to show proof of citizenship in order to register to vote, and/or be required to show a Government-issued ID to cast their vote?

No the election process at El Paso County Colorado is absolutely fair, safe and protected. A republican that I hold in high regard provided a start to finish review and observation of a ballot from arrival to catalogued. I was allowed to watch ballot processing from the Observation windows and there is total accountability for the ballot from start to finish. There are also "No Lone Zones" and are occupied by attendants from both parties. The checks and balances at the Election Center are an envy of other elect centers around the country and other countries.

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?

I am neither a socialist or communist. The latter is even an abomination to me. These "isims" are not compatible with the Oaths I took to Support and Defend the Constitution of the United States.