Floyd Trujillo

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Floyd Trujillo completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Trujillo's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-219351-2024-04-15\" id=\"heading-bio-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-219351-2024-04-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-219351-2024-04-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tFloyd Trujillo is a Vietnam Era veteran, 40-year veteran of the oil and gas industry, and a children’s book author. He enlisted in the Marines at the age of 17 while in high school and served from 1973 to 1977 with the 6th Counterintelligence Team.\r\n<p>The family settled in New Mexico in 1613 and in Southern Colorado in the 1830’s. With 200 years in the state, the family has extensive history in the district. From farmers, ranchers, first responders, laborers, and businessmen, to oil rig hands, mechanics, every branch of the military, a territorial governor, and the most famous frontiersman of the Old West, he is Colorado Congressional District 4.\r\n</p><p>Growing up in the outdoors, he passed his passion on to his family teaching them how to handle a firearm at an early age. Today, his wife and both daughters can outshoot him with their perspective firearm.\r\n</p>\nHe served thirteen years on the board of directors for the Denver Children’s Advocacy Center, was a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014, 2014 Leadership Program of the Rockies graduate, Trump co-chair for Hispanic Outreach in 2016, former member of Seeds of Hope, Hispanic Community Energy Forum, Douglas County Energy Forum, Coloradans for Responsible Energy Development, member of Coloradans for Energy Access, president of Hispanic Energy Alliance, and first American of Hispanic Heritage to run for a state-wide seat as a Republican in Colorado. He has spoken in support the oil and gas industry in front groups throughout the state.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-219351-2024-04-15\" id=\"heading-key-message-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-219351-2024-04-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-219351-2024-04-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Economy/Energy Independence: Locally and nationally, inflation is killing the American Dream. Cutting unnecessary spending and red tape is a start, but unleashing the American energy industry will lower prices across all industries.</li><li>Saving Colorado: Over the last ten years, we have seen politicians abandon the state and become part of the D.C. swamp. From red to purple to blue, infighting and selfish politicians looking out for their own best interest have destroyed our party and our state. My plan is to win back Colorado by bringing to the party new voters we’ve ignored for decades with specific goals for 2024, 2026, 2028, and 2030. As your nominee I will focus on a Colorado-based rather than D.C.-based advisor board in directing what is in the best interest of the district, state, and nation.</li><li>Constitution: This is the basis for the greatness of our country. Read my published article titled “Americans made this country great.”\r\n<p>Borders: Democrats power play has resulted in an increase of crime across our nation. We need to secure the border and start the vetting and deportation of illegal immigrants.\r\n</p><p>Sexual Abuse against Children: There is no greater cause than supporting organizations treating our most vulnerable.\r\n</p><p>Energy Independence: My support for this industry is unmatched. \r\n</p><p>Education: Removing educational standards for “people of color” leads to a life of failure. \r\n</p><p>DEI: Lowering standards gives us a substandard country.\r\n</p>\nWomen’s Rights: Boys/men dressed as girls/women do not belong in girl’s/women’s sports.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-219351-2024-04-15\" id=\"heading1-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-219351-2024-04-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-219351-2024-04-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIllegal immigration.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-219351-2024-04-15\" id=\"heading2-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-219351-2024-04-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-219351-2024-04-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy mother for her may words of wisdom. <br/><br/>\n<p>Honesty - Heading to the car counting her money after picking vegetables, mom suddenly stooped and stated, \"They made a mistake.\" I walked back with her to the foreman as my aunts made their way to the car. Approaching the foreman, she told him they made a mistake in her payment. \"Where did me make a mistake?\" asked the foreman. To the surprise of the foreman, she responded \"You paid me too much.\" <br/><br/>\n</p>\n\"The Love and Wisdom of a Young Mother\" is a story of my first day of school. One of many stories I will share once I make the ballot.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-219351-2024-04-15\" id=\"heading3-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-219351-2024-04-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-219351-2024-04-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIntegrity\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-219351-2024-04-15\" id=\"heading4-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-219351-2024-04-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-219351-2024-04-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t\"Success isn't how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started.\" My favorite quote from Steve Prefontaine.<br/><br/>\n<p>Not from a family of generational wealth, my story resonates to all walks of life. From picking vegetables in the fields of Brighton, Colorado and working 80 hours a week between two jobs to make ends meet, to a successful business career in oil and gas and writing my first children's book, my story will resonate to a larger block of voters. <br/><br/>\n</p>\nTo be successful you need to relate to the voters, and the life and struggles they are experiencing. I've lived that life and will inspire others with my stories.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-219351-2024-04-15\" id=\"heading5-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-219351-2024-04-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-219351-2024-04-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tServing your constituents using the Constitution as your guide.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-219351-2024-04-15\" id=\"heading6-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-219351-2024-04-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-219351-2024-04-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tSaving Colorado. In 1999, the Republican party held the most seats in the history of the state. Today, we are at its weakest as we continue to lose elections and voters.<br/><br/>\n<p>In 2014, I ran for U.S. Senate with a plan to turn Colorado from purple to red. We held 57 political seats and the Democrats held 58. The plan was simple. Utilizing outreach in the Hispanic and Asian communities, we would bring this large, conservative base to the party. Unfortunately, a congressman and district attorney blew that plan apart. today we hold 34 seats to the Democrats 82 seats. We have zero power. My goals are simple:<br/><br/>\r\n1) Nov 2024 - Increase Republican voter base by 5%.<br/>\r\n2) Nov 2026 - Increase Republican voter base by 10 - 20%. Increase State House and Senate by 25%.<br/>\r\n3) Nov 2028 - Increase Republican voter base by 50%. Win the State House.<br/>\r\n4) Nov 2030 - Increase Republican voter base by 100%. Win the State Senate. Resign from office.<br/><br/>\r\nWith a 30% population base, the Hispanic and Asian communities have the power to change Colorado. These are the most conservative voters in the state, but we fail to engage with them. This is not a race issue, it's all about the number of voters you can bring to the table. Look no further than these facts:<br/><br/>\r\nHispanic Representation in Democrat Party<br/>\r\nState House - 24%<br/>\r\nState Senate - 17%<br/>\r\nU.S. House of Representatives - 20%<br/><br/>\r\nHispanic Representation in Republican Party <br/>\r\nStat House - 0%<br/>\r\nState Senate - 0%<br/>\r\nU.S. House of Representatives - 0%<br/><br/>\r\nAs the Colorado delegation walked out on Candidate Trump at the 2016 GOP National Convention, I and Jerry Natividad stood by his side as co-chairs for Hispanic outreach.<br/><br/>\r\nNo other congressional candidate can bring new voters to the table in winning Colorado for President Trump.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nI often wonder where the party would be today if I was able to implement my plan ten years ago. A lifeline was offered then, is it possible to turn back history and save the state?\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-219351-2024-04-15\" id=\"heading7-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-219351-2024-04-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-219351-2024-04-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tTwo stand out as equally impactful. President Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. were assassinated when I was seven and eleven years old respectively. Their words of wisdom still echo today when I hear their names.<br/><br/>\n<p>\"My Fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do your you, ask what you can do for your country\" was spoken by President Kennedy during his inauguration. <br/>\r\n\"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character\" was a powerful speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. <br/>\r\nPresident Kennedy's words have been replaced with a culture of \"what's in it for me.\" Today, selfish politicians seek out what is in the best interest of their own political and financial benefit rather that their constituents.<br/><br/>\r\nThe lesson of content of character not color of skin was taught to me by my mother on the first day of school when I was six years old. Unfortunately, the Democrat party has used racism, hate, and fear to maintain power in the country. Without these three tools, today's Democrat party would not exist.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nI do miss the wisdom of these two American leaders.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-219351-2024-04-15\" id=\"heading8-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-219351-2024-04-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-219351-2024-04-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI was twelve years old when I would accompany my mother and aunts to the fields of Brighton, Colorado to pick vegetables during the picking season.<br/><br/>\n<p>At the age of fourteen, I took a job with a home-improvement company earning $1.25 per hour plus commissions. The hours were four hours after school, Monday - Friday, and eight hours on Saturday.<br/>\n</p>\nAt the age of sixteen, and a driver's license in hand, I quit the home-improvement job and took on various, higher paying jobs after school and during the summer. Truck driver for the Disabled American Veterans, union laborer and forklift operator at Thompson Pipe and Steel, parking lot attendant and backstage security for Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Denver Coliseum, where I \"ran into\" Elvis, all before turning eighteen.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-219351-2024-04-15\" id=\"heading9-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-219351-2024-04-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-219351-2024-04-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tBlood and Thunder - Detailed history of my family. Great aunts Josefa and Ignacia Jarmillo were married to Kit Carson and Charles Bent, respectively.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-219351-2024-04-15\" id=\"heading10-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-219351-2024-04-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was the last song that got stuck in your head?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-219351-2024-04-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tStuck on You - Lionel Richie\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-219351-2024-04-15\" id=\"heading11-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-219351-2024-04-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-219351-2024-04-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-219351-2024-04-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am not a career politician seeking a life-time position. My plan is to change the direction of the state and this party in six years. I will not seek election after my six-year term.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nFloyd Trujillo completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Trujillo's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Floyd Trujillo is a Vietnam Era veteran, 40-year veteran of the oil and gas industry, and a children’s book author. He enlisted in the Marines at the age of 17 while in high school and served from 1973 to 1977 with the 6th Counterintelligence Team. The family settled in New Mexico in 1613 and in Southern Colorado in the 1830’s. With 200 years in the state, the family has extensive history in the district. From farmers, ranchers, first responders, laborers, and businessmen, to oil rig hands, mechanics, every branch of the military, a territorial governor, and the most famous frontiersman of the Old West, he is Colorado Congressional District 4. Growing up in the outdoors, he passed his passion on to his family teaching them how to handle a firearm at an early age. Today, his wife and both daughters can outshoot him with their perspective firearm. He served thirteen years on the board of directors for the Denver Children’s Advocacy Center, was a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014, 2014 Leadership Program of the Rockies graduate, Trump co-chair for Hispanic Outreach in 2016, former member of Seeds of Hope, Hispanic Community Energy Forum, Douglas County Energy Forum, Coloradans for Responsible Energy Development, member of Coloradans for Energy Access, president of Hispanic Energy Alliance, and first American of Hispanic Heritage to run for a state-wide seat as a Republican in Colorado. He has spoken in support the oil and gas industry in front groups throughout the state. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Economy/Energy Independence: Locally and nationally, inflation is killing the American Dream. Cutting unnecessary spending and red tape is a start, but unleashing the American energy industry will lower prices across all industries. Saving Colorado: Over the last ten years, we have seen politicians abandon the state and become part of the D.C. swamp. From red to purple to blue, infighting and selfish politicians looking out for their own best interest have destroyed our party and our state. My plan is to win back Colorado by bringing to the party new voters we’ve ignored for decades with specific goals for 2024, 2026, 2028, and 2030. As your nominee I will focus on a Colorado-based rather than D.C.-based advisor board in directing what is in the best interest of the district, state, and nation. Constitution: This is the basis for the greatness of our country. Read my published article titled “Americans made this country great.” Borders: Democrats power play has resulted in an increase of crime across our nation. We need to secure the border and start the vetting and deportation of illegal immigrants. Sexual Abuse against Children: There is no greater cause than supporting organizations treating our most vulnerable. Energy Independence: My support for this industry is unmatched. Education: Removing educational standards for “people of color” leads to a life of failure. DEI: Lowering standards gives us a substandard country. Women’s Rights: Boys/men dressed as girls/women do not belong in girl’s/women’s sports. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Illegal immigration. Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? My mother for her may words of wisdom. Honesty - Heading to the car counting her money after picking vegetables, mom suddenly stooped and stated, \"They made a mistake.\" I walked back with her to the foreman as my aunts made their way to the car. Approaching the foreman, she told him they made a mistake in her payment. \"Where did me make a mistake?\" asked the foreman. To the surprise of the foreman, she responded \"You paid me too much.\" \"The Love and Wisdom of a Young Mother\" is a story of my first day of school. One of many stories I will share once I make the ballot. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Integrity What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? \"Success isn't how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started.\" My favorite quote from Steve Prefontaine. Not from a family of generational wealth, my story resonates to all walks of life. From picking vegetables in the fields of Brighton, Colorado and working 80 hours a week between two jobs to make ends meet, to a successful business career in oil and gas and writing my first children's book, my story will resonate to a larger block of voters. To be successful you need to relate to the voters, and the life and struggles they are experiencing. I've lived that life and will inspire others with my stories. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? Serving your constituents using the Constitution as your guide. What legacy would you like to leave? Saving Colorado. In 1999, the Republican party held the most seats in the history of the state. Today, we are at its weakest as we continue to lose elections and voters. In 2014, I ran for U.S. Senate with a plan to turn Colorado from purple to red. We held 57 political seats and the Democrats held 58. The plan was simple. Utilizing outreach in the Hispanic and Asian communities, we would bring this large, conservative base to the party. Unfortunately, a congressman and district attorney blew that plan apart. today we hold 34 seats to the Democrats 82 seats. We have zero power. My goals are simple: 1) Nov 2024 - Increase Republican voter base by 5%. 2) Nov 2026 - Increase Republican voter base by 10 - 20%. Increase State House and Senate by 25%. 3) Nov 2028 - Increase Republican voter base by 50%. Win the State House. 4) Nov 2030 - Increase Republican voter base by 100%. Win the State Senate. Resign from office. With a 30% population base, the Hispanic and Asian communities have the power to change Colorado. These are the most conservative voters in the state, but we fail to engage with them. This is not a race issue, it's all about the number of voters you can bring to the table. Look no further than these facts: Hispanic Representation in Democrat Party State House - 24% State Senate - 17% U.S. House of Representatives - 20% Hispanic Representation in Republican Party Stat House - 0% State Senate - 0% U.S. House of Representatives - 0% As the Colorado delegation walked out on Candidate Trump at the 2016 GOP National Convention, I and Jerry Natividad stood by his side as co-chairs for Hispanic outreach. No other congressional candidate can bring new voters to the table in winning Colorado for President Trump. I often wonder where the party would be today if I was able to implement my plan ten years ago. A lifeline was offered then, is it possible to turn back history and save the state? What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? Two stand out as equally impactful. President Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. were assassinated when I was seven and eleven years old respectively. Their words of wisdom still echo today when I hear their names. \"My Fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do your you, ask what you can do for your country\" was spoken by President Kennedy during his inauguration. \"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character\" was a powerful speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. President Kennedy's words have been replaced with a culture of \"what's in it for me.\" Today, selfish politicians seek out what is in the best interest of their own political and financial benefit rather that their constituents. The lesson of content of character not color of skin was taught to me by my mother on the first day of school when I was six years old. Unfortunately, the Democrat party has used racism, hate, and fear to maintain power in the country. Without these three tools, today's Democrat party would not exist. I do miss the wisdom of these two American leaders. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? I was twelve years old when I would accompany my mother and aunts to the fields of Brighton, Colorado to pick vegetables during the picking season. At the age of fourteen, I took a job with a home-improvement company earning $1.25 per hour plus commissions. The hours were four hours after school, Monday - Friday, and eight hours on Saturday. At the age of sixteen, and a driver's license in hand, I quit the home-improvement job and took on various, higher paying jobs after school and during the summer. Truck driver for the Disabled American Veterans, union laborer and forklift operator at Thompson Pipe and Steel, parking lot attendant and backstage security for Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Denver Coliseum, where I \"ran into\" Elvis, all before turning eighteen. What is your favorite book? Why? Blood and Thunder - Detailed history of my family. Great aunts Josefa and Ignacia Jarmillo were married to Kit Carson and Charles Bent, respectively. What was the last song that got stuck in your head? Stuck on You - Lionel Richie What are your thoughts on term limits? I am not a career politician seeking a life-time position. My plan is to change the direction of the state and this party in six years. I will not seek election after my six-year term.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]