Republican Rep. Cole Wist is trying to hold on to his seat in Colorado House District 37, which includes parts of Aurora and Centennial. He’s facing a challenge from Democrat Tom Sullivan, who has become a strong voice in state politics, particularly in the gun regulation debate, after the death of his son Alex during the 2012 Aurora theater shooting.
Sullivan, who has called the south metro region home for decades, ran for a state Senate seat in 2016, but lost to Sen. Jack Tate. Now, in HD37, he’s raised more than $122,000 — nearly $53,000 more than Wist, who was appointed to the seat in 2015 and elected in 2016.
Wist is a workplace safety and health law lawyer. Sullivan worked for the U.S. Postal Office.
The two have taken strong stances on gun legislation. Sullivan has been a regular in statehouse hearings since the 2013 session, when legislators approved limiting gun magazines to 15 rounds and universal background checks.
Wist gained attention, and some significant disapproval from gun rights advocates, for sponsoring a “red flag” bill this year — which would have allowed courts to temporarily disarm a person who presents a serious threat to themselves or others. The bill passed the House, earned approval from some top law enforcement officials in the state, including Arapahoe County District Attorney George Brauchler and several Republican-elected sheriffs.
On education, the pair of candidates, like most candidates across the state, say well-funded education is a must and that they stand behind teachers. Both say they support trade school options.
Sullivan said on his campaign website he “will fight to get more resources into our public school classrooms, to invest in our teachers, and support measures to make college and vocational training more affordable.” He went on to tell the Sentinel he believes the state budget should get a second look.
“We need to examine our state’s budget priorities and ensure we are awarding our economic development grants to those entities that provide the greatest return on investment and, if not, reallocate them to other critical needs such as higher education,” he said.
Wist was unavailable to comment further on his plans for funding education.
The two take noticeable differences on other issues, however. Wist says on his website he is “strongly opposed to a government-run, single payer system.”
Sullivan said he is in favor of looking at different models health care models, moving toward a universal healthcare or a a single-payer system.
“I look forward to studying the specifics of Congressman Polis’ plan for our state on this issue once he’s elected as our next Governor,” he said in a Sentinel candidate survey.
TOM SULLIVAN
Tom Sullivan is a Centennial resident who’s called Colorado home since 1980 after landing here with his wife shortly after being discharged from the Air Force. Sullivan worked at the U.S. Postal Service, attended Metropolitan State University for a journalism degree and started an Aurora-centric newsletter. The death of his son Alex, who was one of 12 murdered at the Aurora theater shooting in 2012, motivated Sullivan to become more involved in state politics, leading to testify at the Capitol on gun legislation. This campaign for a seat at the state Legislature is Sullivan’s second, he unsuccessfully ran for a Centennial senate seat in 2016.
COLE WIST
Colorado House Assistant Minority Leader Cole Wist was appointed to his seat at the statehouse in 2016 after Jack Tate, who was previously elected to that seat, was appointed to fill a vacant state Senate seat. Wist went on to win the 2016 election for the HD37 seat. Wist is a workplace safety and health law lawyer. According to his website, Wist primarily represents mining, construction, and oil and gas clients. He graduated from the University of Denver and completed a law degree at Georgetown University. Wist grew up on the Western Slope and is the son of a coal miner.
ABOUT THE CANDIDATES
Campaign Questions for Tom Sullivan
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?
Yes.
Should the state cede some control of fracking and gas and oil production to counties and municipalities? How much?
I support allowing local governments to implement the regulations they see best serves the needs of their communities. I look forward to working with all of the stakeholders involved with this issue once I’m elected.
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 am not a scientist, but I trust scientists and the process by which they come up with their solutions. The Governor’s executive order arose from a thorough collaborative process with experts and stakeholders and I support it. I do, however, want to ensure we are providing the proper resources and transitional assistance to those Coloradans who might be affected by this regulation over time.
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.
Would you support the red-flag bill that passed the state House this year?
Yes.
Would you support full tolling on select roads or interstates to help fund road construction?
Yes, but in a limited capacity.
Should the Legislature work to reduce in-state tuition at state colleges? How?
Yes, higher education is one route available for Coloradans to build a lasting and sustainable career. We need to examine our state’s budget priorities and ensure we are awarding our economic development grants to those entities that provide the greatest return on investment and, if not, reallocate them to other critical needs such as higher education.
Would you support a state path toward some kind of universal or single payer health care in Colorado?
Yes, I believe healthcare is a human right, not a privilege. I look forward to studying the specifics of Congressman Polis’ plan for our state on this issue once he’s elected as our next Governor.
Would you support a bill ending capital punishment in Colorado?
No.
Would you support a bill to prohibit the use of red-light cameras in Colorado?
Yes.
Would you support a bill promoting arming teachers and staff at public schools?
I do not, and will never support arming teachers or any other staff whose job it is to educate and serve our students. I do support commonsense school safety measures such as expanding access to mental health services and funding highly specialized school resource officers whose sole purpose would be to protect our students from harm.
QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU
- What food do you hate most?
Tuna Casserole
2. Do you indulge in recreational marijuana?
No
3. Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Brian Dennehy
4. What Olympic sport do you wish you could win gold in?
Ice hockey.
5. What was your favorite childhood candy?
M&Ms! Still are.
6. If you could be an eyewitness to one event in history, what would it be?
I would have loved to be there when we landed a person on the moon.
7. If the Secret Service gave you a code name, what would it be?
War Eagle. This is one of my son’s and my favorite comic book characters.
8. If you had to sing karaoke, what song would you sing? Car karaoke counts.
My Life by Billy Joel
9. What epitaph would you like written on your tombstone?
“You haven’t gotten rid of my comic book collection, right?”
10. Is a hot dog a sandwich?
Yes.
11. What is the last concert you attended?
The Alan Parsons Project
12. What movie do you never tire of watching?
Ocean’s 11 or The Great Escape
13. Dogs or cats?
Dogs!
14. What’s the most overrated thing about living in Colorado?
Legal marijuana. There’s so much more to love about our beautiful state!