Colorado U.S. House District 8 candidate Q&A

Over the summer, the Inflation Reduction Act became law. Should Coloradans support this law? Why or why not?
We must focus on lowering costs for working families. I strongly support lowering costs for Americans by allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices, capping the cost of insulin nationwide like we did in Colorado, investing in expanded energy production and clean energy to lower energy bills, and investing in lower health care premiums to save Coloradans money. In Congress, I will continue to advocate for further cost-saving measures to reduce taxes for working families while holding those at the top accountable so that every working family in Colorado can achieve their American dream.

What is something unique you bring to the Congress?
As the daughter of a construction worker who was able to put four kids through college on one salary, I know that it’s possible to achieve the American Dream. As a pediatrician, I’ve seen that get harder and harder for families across the 8th Congressional District. In Congress, I will bring my health care expertise, my legislative experience, and my working class background to help pass bipartisan legislation that will lower costs and help working families.

If your party holds the majority in your chamber next session, what should be its top priority?
The top priority of any party should be to continue to take action to lower costs and make life more affordable for working Coloradans. In the legislature, I’ve lowered taxes for middle class families and small businesses and passed the child tax credit at the state level. I’ve also helped to cap prescription drug prices and helped to bring paid family and medical leave to Coloradans. All of these are top priorities that we should be working to achieve federally.

What, if any, action should Congress take on abortion?
Congress should restore the right to an abortion established under Roe v. Wade into federal law. Government should never make private, medical decisions that should only be between a woman and her doctor. The future of abortion rights hinges on this election — my opponent has spent years supporting a national abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest.

The chambers may be split between Republican and Democrat control next session. Where do you see actionable, common ground with the opposing party?
Access to water is incredibly important and something that we will need to work together with our surrounding states and federally across the aisle to ensure a sustainable and secure water future for the Western U.S.

What is the biggest threat facing the integrity of our elections?
The continued rhetoric that calls into question the integrity of our democracy and electoral system is the biggest threat. We need to ensure that every American citizen can vote and knows that the systems that underlie our democracy are sound. We also need to make sure that our voting systems are accessible for every citizen, so those who want to vote can cast their vote. I have expanded multilingual ballot access here in Colorado and I will advocate for accessible and fair elections as a member of Congress.

Over the summer, the Inflation Reduction Act became law. Should Coloradans support this law? Why or why not?
The so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” is anything but. Inflation is caused in significant part by too much money chasing too few goods and services. This bill spends at least $500 billion more. It throws fuel (money) on the inflationary fire and should have been defeated.

What is something unique you bring to the Congress?
As County Commissioner, I led the effort to make Weld the only large, debt-free county in the state. Over several years, we zeroed out our debt, reduced taxes, and paid cash for our projects and programs, earning national recognition. I want to take this same zeal for responsible budgeting to Congress and get my party back to its fiscally conservative roots. Additionally, I’m told I would be the first female dairy farmer (a profession I held from 1982 through 1997) in Congress! I look forward to being an advocate for Colorado farmers.

If your party holds the majority in your chamber next session, what should be its top priority?
Getting inflation and the cost of living under control to help Colorado families is job one. We need to reduce deficit spending and increase the supply of affordable goods and services. That means getting our energy workers back on the job to restore energy independence and increase the supply of affordable, safe, clean energy. In the short term, we can make a real and immediate difference by fixing the border crisis. Not only has Joe Biden’s refusal to secure the border led to a humanitarian crisis, but it has resulted in an explosion of deadly fentanyl poison crossing into America.

What, if any, action should Congress take on abortion?
As readers are likely aware, I’m pro-life. However, I do not take an absolutist (all-or-nothing) position on abortion legislation. I would be willing to support legislation that stipulates a common-sense limit on abortions after 15 weeks. I will strongly defend existing policies that prohibit the use of taxpayer funding for abortions.

The chambers may be split between Republican and Democrat control next session. Where do you see actionable, common ground with the opposing party?
I believe the parties can come together on border security and reasonable immigration reform. To date, the parties have too often been content to exploit the border and immigration challenges for pure, partisan advantage. Drug trafficking, particularly the flow of deadly fentanyl into America, combined with the humanitarian crisis at the southern border make action on immigration and the southern border unavoidable. I embrace can-do and reject the political gamesmanship. Let’s secure the border, shut down the drug traffickers, restore order to the border, and develop a plan to allow Dreamers (particularly people brought to America illegally as minors) an opportunity to earn citizenship.

What is the biggest threat facing the integrity of our elections?
While I do not subscribe to the notion that the 2020 election was “stolen,” I believe some courts and politicians used COVID to enact election rules to their own partisan benefit. That’s troubling. But even more troubling have been the efforts of big tech and social media companies to put their thumb on the scale, picking political winners and losers. We need to restore faith in our electoral system. That means defending First Amendment rights to free speech and ending government efforts to dictate to social media companies who gets to speak about what.

Efforts to contact Richard Ward were unsuccessful.

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