Democrats are vying to take back control of what had long been a liberal stronghold in House District 34 this Election Day, following a bizarre ouster and tempestuous showdown under the Golden Dome this spring.
Former Northglenn City Councilman Kyle Mullica, a Democrat, is trying to unseat Republican state Rep. Alex “Skinny” Winkler, a Northglenn businessman and musician who was appointed to the HD 34 seat by a vacancy committee in March.
The district encompasses a narrow strip along Interstate 25 from West 84th Avenue in Federal Heights to East 144th Avenue in Northglenn.
Winkler took over the seat from embattled former state Rep. Steve Lebsock, a Democrat-turned-Republican, who was expelled from the chamber in February following a spate of sexual harassment allegations. Lebsock’s removal featured a rash of fireworks, including a manifesto, a reported cover-up of the allegations by House Speaker Crisanta Duran and an 11th-hour party reversal.
In his roughly 40-day tenure at the Capitol, Winkler was appointed to the House’s committee on public health, and introduced a lone bill intended to curb notification signs on trucks that claim liability exemption from freight that may become dislodged and do damage in-transit. The bill died in committee.
Mullica, a registered nurse, beat Thornton lawyer Jacque Phillips by about 10 percentage points in a Democratic primary earlier this summer.
Winkler, who lost to Lebsock for the HD 34 seat in 2014, has long-touted his preference for limited government and local control. On his website, Mullica highlights his willingness to push back against the Trump Administration’s immigration policies and champion “progressive values.”
Earlier this month, Mullica received an endorsement from former President Barack Obama in his roundup of approvals for candidates in statewide and local races across the country.
The two candidates disagree on many of Colorado’s pressing policy issues, but share common ground regarding local control, toll roads and some gun policy.
Regarding the state’s lingering transportation woes, both Winkler and Mullica said some additional toll roads could provide a reasonable solution.
“I would want to see it done in an equitable way that doesn’t make it harder on the hardworking people of Colorado,” Mullica wrote in response to a candidate questionnaire issued by The Sentinel.
Winkler pointed to the Highway 36 expansion project as a recent example of reasonable tolling.
Skinny Winkler Campaign
“It’s pretty evident the Highway 36 expansion wouldn’t have gotten done had it not been for the injection of a public-private partnership,” he said. “For future roads, if we want to use public-private partnerships, and that helps it get done faster, then great.”
Mullica and Winkler agree that arming teachers in Colorado schools is a step too far, but they disagree on one of last session’s more controversial measures, the so-called “red flag” bill.
Winkler voted against the measure this spring. Mullica said he would have supported the legislation.
Winkler said the proposed bill, which would have allowed judges to order law enforcement agencies to confiscate weapons from people who were deemed threatening or showed “red flag” behavior, was sloppily assembled and a partisan organ intended to gin up emotional reactions.
“It was hastily thrown together and hastily debated at the end of the session,” he said. “It was a political tool as opposed to trying to put forth good legislation.”
Winkler scoffed at the lack of details in the bill, saying there wasn’t an appropriate description of how the state would confiscate a person’s weapons, how they would be notified, and if it would be possible for the people to get their firearms back.
“I think that the hurdle was too low to take away someone’s Second Amendment rights,” he said.
But, Winkler said, he’s interested in continuing to discuss future red flag legislation and would consider voting for a more fleshed-out version of the bill.
Regarding the relationship between oil and gas companies and Front Range communities, both candidates agreed municipalities should retain as much local control as possible.
“Local government should have a seat at the table when making decisions about fracking and gas and oil production,” Mullica wrote.
Mullica has grossly out-fundraised his opponent, netting more than $100,000, according to recent campaign finance reports. The Democrat has spent about 75 percent of his total pot, and still has about $28,000 on-hand.
Winkler has raised nearly $1,000, and loaned himself $12,000.
He’s spent only a small portion of his total and has about $10,500 in his coffers.
Candidate Questions for Skinny Winkler
1. In light of the spate of sexual harassment claims this year, should the Legislature create some kind of fines or other punitive measure for lawmakers deemed guilty of harassment?
Sure! We have to define what constitutes harassment, and how allegations are proven, etc.
2. Should the state cede some control of fracking and gas and oil production to counties and municipalities? How much?
Typically, I am a bottom-up government type of person. However, we don’t want “checkerboard” policies to very large issues. These two concepts can come into contention with each other. I think local communities can combat improper land use by being proactive with their zoning ordinances. Specific local regulations regarding specific oil/gas development are probably not the way to go, but I’m open for discussion.
3. Gov. John Hickenlooper has issued an executive order mandating a 26 percent cut in in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, is that too much, too little or adequate?
I think that the free market should drive this change. I am hopeful that battery/energy storage technology advances, and I think we will be moving off fossil fuels gradually and eventually, without government mandates and regulations. I have more faith in the ingenuity of the entrepreneurs than our government to steer this ship correctly.
4. Several studies show that growth at any level never pays for itself. Should Colorado impose a tax on newcomers, i.e. license plate and other fees?
I have so many questions about what “growth never pays for itself”. I think we should treat all people fairly when registering a car, or with nearly anything else.
5. Would you support the red-flag bill that passed the state House this year?
No, I voted against it. It was hastily written, and hastily debated near the end of the session. It was a political play, not a serious attempt to pass legislation to make anybody safer. There were too many unanswered questions, and the process for taking away somebody’s 2nd Amendment rights was a hurdle that was set a little too low for me. We need to be very careful when we discuss the where, when, and how we take away our citizens rights.
6. Would you support full tolling on select roads or interstates to help fund road construction?
Nobody likes toll roads. However, they can help get a project done years/decades before the government could do it alone. I like the concept of PPP’s, and sometimes that ends up being toll lanes, etc. We shouldn’t forget, that everybody wins when a toll lane is added. Buses use them, which makes public transportation better, and all tolled cars are then out of the remaining lanes.
7. Should the Legislature work to reduce in-state tuition at state colleges? How?
No. The State Universities should operate more like standard businesses. We should analyze then accordingly, and the schools should set their tuition accordingly. When we subsidize post secondary education, we inevitably encourage the increase in costs. Government has been the driving force behind the increase in university costs.
8. Would you support a state path toward some kind of universal or single payer health care in Colorado?
No, government involvement in health care is the driving cause of our high costs of health care. I am not a doctor today because my doctor father told me to NOT go into the field because of what he saw happening to the health care industry.
9. Would you support a bill ending capital punishment in Colorado?
Difficult issue. I could go either way. I understand that there are clear cut cases which we should simply rid the earth of truly evil individuals where the preponderance of evidence is overwhelming, and we are 100% sure that they are guilty. In those cases, I’ll flip the switch myself with a clear conscience. However, a full analysis of capital punishment seems to show that it is NOT a deterrent for serious violent crime, and it is NOT a financial benefit. I am curious about the positive aspects of having capital punishment?
10. Would you support a bill to prohibit the use of red-light cameras in Colorado?
I do NOT like these devices. I think they violate the concept of being able to challenge your accuser, etc. I am 95% against the use of such devices. I don’t think it’s an appropriate form of “revenue” for the state, and I question how effective they are about making our intersections safer, etc.
11. Would you support a bill promoting arming teachers and staff at public schools?
I think if a teacher is qualified to be armed, then we should not have laws PROHIBITING them from concealing and carrying. I am not very excited about pushing programs to would ENCOURAGE teachers to carry. It should be their choice.
QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU
1. What food do you hate most?
I only dislike 2 foods. Olives and Jalapeños.
2. Do you indulge in recreational marijuana?
No. I actually like the “skunky” smell… but I do NOT react well to nearly any drug.
3. Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Zach Efron… cuz he’s so hunky. LOL.
4. What Olympic sport do you wish you could win gold in?
Table tennis.
5. What was your favorite childhood candy?
Reeses Pieces
6. If you could be an eyewitness to one event in history, what would it be?
Storming the beaches at Normandy? The humanity of it all…
7. If the Secret Service gave you a code name, what would it be?
Skin-dog
8. If you had to sing karaoke, what song would you sing? Car karaoke counts.
7 Nation Army. I can pull that one off.
9. What epitaph would you like written on your tombstone?
Here does NOT lie Skinny. His body was donated to Science.
10. Is a hot dog a sandwich?
A hot dog…, is a hot dog, and should have chili, cheese, and onions.
11. What is the last concert you attended?
I attend concerts ALL THE TIME. I run a sound/lighting/staging company.
12. What movie do you never tire of watching?
Forrest Gump.
13.Dogs or cats?
Dogs. Mans best friend… after my wife.
14. What’s the most overrated thing about living in Colorado?
Lol… the marijuana industry. Really folks… it’s not that big of a deal!
Candidate Questions for Kyle Mullica
1. In light of the spate of sexual harassment claims this year, should the Legislature create some kind of fines or other punitive measure for lawmakers deemed guilty of harassment?
First, there should be policies in place to protect the victims, and actions recommended on a case by case basis. I believe there should be an independent council to educate lawmakers and investigate claims.
2. Should the state cede some control of fracking and gas and oil production to counties and municipalities? How much?
I believe in local control and that local government should have a seat at the table when making decisions about fracking and gas and oil production. They are being directly affected and their opinions matter.
3. Gov. John Hickenlooper has issued an executive order mandating a 26 percent cut in in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, is that too much, too little or adequate?
I believe that is an adequate goal for Colorado to ensure we have clean air and water.
4. Several studies show that growth at any level never pays for itself. Should Colorado impose a tax on newcomers, i.e. license plate and other fees?
No, I don’t believe this solves the problem nor is it a good long term solution.
5. Would you support the red-flag bill that passed the state House this year?
Yes. It makes our communities safer and I believe it will save lives.
6. Would you support full tolling on select roads or interstates to help fund road construction?
Our infrastructure is crumbling and we need to continue to look at innovative ways to fund and fix our issues. If tolling is one of those ways I would want to see it done in an equitable way that doesn’t make it harder on the hardworking people of Colorado.
7. Should the Legislature work to reduce in-state tuition at state colleges? How?
Yes, we need to do all that we can to make tuition more affordable. It will take working with our higher education institutions on how we can get there. I am also interested in working with our business communities on coming up with solutions and what role they can play in ensuring we have highly qualified and educated workers are entering our workforce.
8. Would you support a state path toward some kind of universal or single payer health care in Colorado?
Yes, I believe healthcare is a right and not a privilege. I want to be a part of the conversation in moving us in this direction and ensuring we make access and affordability a priority in the meantime.
9. Would you support a bill ending capital punishment in Colorado?
If Colorado wants to end capital punishment this should be a decision made by the voters.
10. Would you support a bill to prohibit the use of red-light cameras in Colorado?
No.
11. Would you support a bill promoting arming teachers and staff at public schools?
No.
QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU
1. What food do you hate most?
Cauliflower
2. Do you indulge in recreational marijuana?
No, however I am not opposed to someone over 21 indulging if they choose.
3. Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Brad Pitt.
4. What Olympic sport do you wish you could win gold in?
Curling in the Winter and Ping Pong in the summer
5. What was your favorite childhood candy?
Tootsie Rolls
6. If you could be an eyewitness to one event in history, what would it be?
Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
7. If the Secret Service gave you a code name, what would it be?
Wolverine. It was my high school mascot.
8. If you had to sing karaoke, what song would you sing? Car karaoke counts.
“I’ve Got Friends in Low Places” – Garth Brooks
9. What epitaph would you like written on your tombstone?
“Beloved husband, father and son.”
10. Is a hot dog a sandwich?
No.
11. What is the last concert you attended?
Bruno Mars.
12. What movie do you never tire of watching?
The Notebook.
13. Dogs or cats?
Dogs.
14. What’s the most overrated thing about living in Colorado?
Nothing. I love Colorado!