Clear Creek County Caucus and Assembly
The Clear Creek Democrats held its 2026 Caucus and Assembly on March 7, 2026 at Carlson Elementary School. 72 democrats participated in this important meeting to select delegates for the State Democratic Assembly on March 28 in Pueblo.
U.S. Representative Joe Neguse and State Senator Dylan Roberts addressed the Caucus to lend support to the Clear Creek Democrats as the important process of selecting candidates begins.
Five percent of the registered Democrats in Clear Creek County attended the Caucus and Assembly, driving through the late-season snowstorm.
Thanks to everyone who attended.
2026 General Elections and Candidates
November 3, 2026
Official Party Endorsements
The Clear Creek County Democratic Party has not endorsed any candidates at this time.
Candidate Statements and Announcements
This section contains videos, photos, candidate announcements and statements submitted to the Clear Creek Democrats in advance of the Caucus.
Are you a candidate on this list? Please contact Laurie Beckel, Chair of the Clear Creek Democratic Party to get your information listed on this page.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Colorado Governor
Antonio Martinez
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
My name is Antonio Martinez, and while I wish I could be there in person to shake your hand today, I am honored to have these words shared with you.
I am a fifth-generation Coloradan. My family’s roots in the San Luis Valley go back centuries. This land isn’t just where I’m from—it’s who I am. From the halls of Antonito High School in Conejos County to service as a U.S. Air Force combat Veteran, I’ve spent my entire life answering the call to serve.
For thirty-seven years, I served in federal and state leadership roles across eight presidential administrations and many Colorado Governors. I’ve been a combat veteran in Special Operations, a diplomat, and an advisor at the highest levels of government. But no matter where the mission took me—from Iraq, Afghanistan, North Africa to Washington, D.C.—my heart was always right here in Colorado.
I am running for Governor because, let’s be honest: for too many of our neighbors, the Colorado dream is slipping away. Families are being crushed by the rising cost of living. Housing has become a crisis of affordability rather than a basic right. And while the billionaire class continues to see record gains, the working people who built this state—the people in this room—are being asked to do more with less.
I say: it’s time we put workers first!
My vision for our state is simple: Seek Something Better!
To me, seeking something better means boosting our economy with aggressive affordable housing initiatives and raising the minimum wage so families can actually build generational wealth. It means having the courage to repeal TABOR so we can finally provide our children with the schools they deserve and our communities with the services they need. It means addressing the homelessness crisis with both compassion and real, funded support for the impoverished and the mentally ill.
We are going to stabilize Medicaid and Medicare, ensuring that high-quality healthcare isn’t a luxury reserved for the front range, but a guarantee for our rural heartlands as well. And as a rancher, I promise you we will protect our natural heritage—our mountains, our water, and our public lands—for generations to come.
I am not a career politician. I am a labor leader, a veteran, and a rancher. I know what it means to work for a living, and I know how to lead when the stakes are high. Colorado is a state of limitless opportunity, but only if we make it a state that works for everyone, not just the few.
I’m Antonio Martinez. Let’s seek something better, together. I humbly ask for your support and invite you to join our movement at antoniomartinezforcolorado.com. Support us at Caucus and the County and State Assembly!
U.S Senate Candidates
Karen Breslin
Julie Gonzales
Senadora Julie Gonzales is a progressive Democrat representing north, west, and downtown Denver in the Colorado Senate. First elected in 2018, Julie brought that organizing spirit into the Capitol and turned it into results. She has led on fights to allocate over $500 million to expand affordable housing, prevent ICE from using state databases for immigration enforcement, secure $100 million for clean drinking water, and pass the Reproductive Health Equity Act, which ensures each person's rights and freedoms to make reproductive healthcare decisions free from government interference.
She is running to be our next U.S. Senator because this moment demands a fighter who has spent their career making life more affordable for working Coloradans. In D.C., Senadora Gonzales will make sure that Colorado gets a fair deal, and that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
John Hickenlooper
Colorado Attorney General Candidates
Michael Dougherty
M. Dougherty for AG Video
Michael Dougherty has served as the elected District Attorney in Boulder County for eight years and previously led the Criminal Justice Section of the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, overseeing cases involving homicide, public corruption, financial fraud, environmental crimes, and law enforcement accountability. Earlier in his career, he spent more than a decade as a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, where he specialized in sex crimes and homicides and later held executive leadership roles.
Jena Griswold
Jena Griswold is running for Attorney General to protect our rights and freedoms. As Attorney General, Jena will continue standing up to Donald Trump and other extremists threatening democracy. As a new mother, she’ll defend our access to reproductive healthcare, and she’ll work to ensure Colorado remains a beacon of justice, freedom, and equality for all.
David Seligman
Colorado Secretary of State Candidates
Jessie Danielson
Amanda Gonzalez
Colorado Treasurer Candidates
Jeff Bridges
Jerry DiTullio
John Mikos
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Not everybody can be famous, but everybody can be great, because greatness is determined by service”.
This quote has a deep meaning for me.
Service was a big part of my upbringing. My mother was a social worker who founded a soup kitchen and a women’s shelter. My sisters are educators. I joined the Army to pay for college.
My name is John Mikos. I am running to be your next Colorado State Treasurer. I seek to qualify for the primary ballot through the Democratic Party State Assembly. I ask you to become a State Assembly delegate and support me. Here is a little bit about me to help you make an informed decision.
I served twenty years on active duty and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Military service provided me with leadership experience. I used my GI benefits to earn an economics degree and an MBA in finance. After my military service, I worked as a business consultant helping companies improve their business processes.
For me, service also means being politically engaged. I am a lifelong, grassroots, progressive Democrat. I have been a party volunteer, a Precinct Organizer, and a County Party Chair. I believe the Democratic Party is at its best when we stand firmly on the side of working-class people.
As your next Colorado State Treasurer, I will bring my commitment to service, my management experience, and my Democratic values to the job by:
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Investing our portfolio funds here in Colorado to help build urgently needed infrastructure, including affordable housing. This will be a catalyst for good paying jobs in the trades.
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Promoting small business programs to foster local economic empowerment, particularly in communities that historically have not had equal access to capital.
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Advocating for the establishment of a Public Bank in Colorado to counter the power of big Wall Street banks.
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Working to dismantle TABOR. It warps state finances and has become a shield for the wealthiest Coloradans to avoid paying their fair share. The federal Big Ugly Bill gave enormous tax cuts to the rich. We need to correct that in Colorado by getting rid of the flat tax and implementing a graduated income tax so folks at the very highest income levels can pay a little more, and we can properly fund things like public education.
As a political leader, I will always support our sisters and brothers in the labor movement and call for the enactment of the Workers Protection Act. I will also use my voice to advocate for universal, single-payer healthcare. Medical costs are the number one reason for personal bankruptcy. This is a core economic issue. We need Medicare for All. Political leaders at all levels should use the bully pulpit of their office to advocate for policies that improve the lives of working people. We can do this if we stand together.
I am a strong supporter of public education and educators. I am proud to be one of the candidates endorsed by the Colorado Education Association (CEA), Colorado’s largest union. I will seek to get more out of the Public-School Permanent Fund to benefit K-12 education and work with school districts to lower their financing costs. Safeguarding PERA, the public employees retirement fund, is one of my highest priorities. Our educators and public workers deserve the retirement they earned.
Public funds are for public education. We should NOT use public funds to pay for private schools. I strongly oppose voucher schemes for private schools. And, I will always stand in solidarity with our union educators!
I ask for your support. After attending your Caucus and County Assembly, become a delegate to the Democratic State Assembly and help me qualify for the primary ballot. The State Assembly takes place in Pueblo on March 28. Contact your local County Democratic Party for details on Caucus and Assemblies.
Please reach out to me with questions or thoughts to share. Visit my website at www.JohnMikos.com. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.
Brianna Titone
Colorado State Senate
Dylan Roberts
Colorado House of Representatives
Lesley Smith
Smith knows exactly what it means to lead in a hyper-partisan environment — and even there she was able to build bridges and get things done.
Her leadership and policy experience is proven, and her background as a scientist and educator would make her an excellent addition to the legislature…having someone prepared to lead with knowledge would be beneficial to both Boulder and the state at large.
--Endorsement from the Boulder Daily Camera
Visit her website for more information
Clear Creek County Offices
Chris Gould, Clear Creek County Commissioner, District 1.
I woke up this morning with the Dave Matthews Band song “Where Are You Going?” running through my head. As I revisited the lyrics, one idea resonated with me: there is no Superman coming to save us—only people searching for answers together. That message feels especially relevant to Clear Creek County right now.
Our community is facing real and ongoing challenges: economic pressures, I-70 impacts, wildfire and insurance concerns, and affordability and quality-of-life issues. We are past the point of easy, technical fixes. What we need now is adaptive change—thoughtful evolution that goes beyond small tweaks to how we do things.
That is why I am running for County Commissioner in District 1. My goal is not to resist change or let outside forces define our future, but to help us evolve. Evolution means preserving what makes Clear Creek special, building a shared vision for the future, and intentionally planning the steps to get there.
Through my experience as a school principal and as a board president, I’ve learned that meaningful change comes from asking tough questions, listening to stakeholders, testing ideas, and learning as we go, all guided by that shared vision.
The song ends with the words, “Where are you going? Well, let’s go.” Over the coming months, I look forward to sharing more about what the evolutionary process could look like for Clear Creek County. In the meantime, I welcome your thoughts on where we’re headed and what we want our future to be.
Check out my website at GouldforClearCreek.com. Let’s go!
Keith Vieweg, Clear Creek County Treasurer and Public Trustee
Keith Vieweg is a candidate for Clear Creek County Treasurer and Public Trustee, bringing strong leadership and educational background to the table. Born and raised in Clear Creek County, he is a proud Graduate of Adams State University with an MBA in Public Administration.
Keith currently serves as the Chief Deputy Treasurer and Public Trustee in Clear Creek County. Through this position, he has learned the value of hard work, fiscal responsibility, attention to detail, and the importance of the office’s role in the Clear Creek County Community.
Keith is running for Clear Creek County Treasurer and Public Trustee because he believes our community thrives when we invest responsibly, communicate the county's financial situation effectively, deliver exceptional public communication, and clearly show the opportunities for financial growth in the county.
During his time working with the current County Treasurer, Carol Lee, Keith has seen firsthand how smart budgeting can make a big difference. With your support, Keith will work to ensure the counties’ funds are managed with integrity, transparency, and a focus on residents' needs.
Lisa Manifold, Clear Creek County Clerk and Recorder
I’m Lisa Manifold, and I’m running for Clear Creek County Clerk & Recorder.
This office sits at the heart of both our democracy and our daily lives. Colorado is a national leader in secure and accessible elections, and Clear Creek has a strong record of election integrity and voter participation. I’m committed to maintaining and strengthening that legacy — ensuring every election remains secure, transparent, and accessible.
The Clerk’s office also handles the essential services we rely on every day — motor vehicle titles and registrations, preserving land and real estate records, and stewarding critical public documents. It’s detailed, operational work that requires respect for statute, process, and the people we serve.
I’ve spent nearly five years on the Idaho Springs City Council as well as various city commissions. I've been working directly with budgets, regulations, and public administration. I understand how government systems function, and I value the professional staff who already serve this county well.
Clear Creek has been fortunate to have strong clerks for decades. I’m ready to continue that tradition — with integrity, steadiness, and a fierce commitment to protecting both our democratic process and this community.
I'd be honored to have your support.
CU Regent
Kubs Lalchandani
Kris Larsen
Declared Democratic Candidates
This page lists all declared Democratic candidates for Colorado's statewide offices, the United States Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives.
Are you a candidate on this list? Please contact Laurie Beckel, Chair of the Clear Creek Democratic Party to get your information listed on this page.