2022 Colorado General
State Senate SD35
CANDIDATES
ROD PELTON
Republican Candidate Information
Campaign Website URL: PeltonForColorado.com
Email Address: RodPelton@rebeltec.net
Occupation/Vocation: Farmer/Rancher, State Representative
Resident of El Paso County: 63 years (entire life)
Experience
What experience (personal, professional, other) would you bring to your role as Senator that will benefit our state?
I’m a third generation Cheyenne County farmer/rancher, and have been active in agriculture my entire life. I have owned and operated successful businesses in addition to farming and ranching, including trucking and custom harvesting, so I know what it means to watch the “bottom line” of your finances. In addition, prior to becoming a State Representative, I served as Cheyenne County Commissioner for six years. This experience prepared me to be a better legislator, because I see things from the local/county perspective, as well as from the state perspective. During my time as a State Representative, I have served on the House Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee and the House Agriculture, Livestock and Water Committee.
Vision
What is your vision for being a Colorado State Senator?
My main focus at the Capitol is promoting, enhancing and protecting agriculture and rural Colorado. I’ve also done a lot of work in the mental health space, as we have a huge problem in this state. This issue is even more serious in rural areas of our state, with an alarming rate of depression and suicide. At the Capitol, I’ve always put rural Colorado and agriculture first and foremost. I’ve got a good working relationship with several of the Democrats, and they know I won’t compromise my principles or values. I hope to continue this same work as Senator of District 35. As my voting record shows, I’m pro 2nd Amendment and fiscally and socially conservative.
Election Reform
Do you believe that elections in Colorado should be conducted differently? Should voters in Colorado be required to verify their identity and residential status in the respective counties in which they vote? Are you in favor of a single-day, in-person voting system consisting of all-paper ballots? Why or why not?
Yes, I think there need to be some changes. Voters should have to show photo ID and residency. Yes, it should be single day, in person except for service members and others who apply ahead of time for absentee ballots for a justifiable reason. I believe that an all mail in ballot voting system is more prone to fraud.
Protecting the Most Vulnerable
As a Senator, how would you seek to protect the most vulnerable in our state, including the lives of the unborn, the trafficked, and the elderly?
This last session as a Representative, I was one of the Republicans that put up the 24-hr. debate against the horrible abortion bill that the Colorado Democrats pushed through. I will always battle against abortion and do what I can to protect the vulnerable. I’ve run legislation and voted for many bills to help protect the elderly, and will continue to do so. We need to support our law enforcement in the trafficked to help break down the rings and gangs that sponsor trafficking.
1st Amendment
What will you do as Colorado State Senator to protect our 1st Amendment rights to: the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech, peaceably assembly, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances, all of which are becoming more difficult to exercise in America (and around the world)?
I would continue, as I have as a representative, to fight to protect our 1st amendment rights. I will battle against bills that infringe on them, and if a good bill comes up that will support them, I will battle in favor of it. As a Christian, I believe we have a huge fight on our hands, as Colorado is becoming more secular every day, and that is creating a lot of issues that are hurting our state.
2nd Amendment
Do you believe that gun ownership is a civil right, and what are your positions in regards to red flag laws, magazine capacity bans, legislation that regulates gun storage, and permitless “Constitutional carry”?
I’m a “no room for negotiation on the 2nd amendment” candidate, and my voting record reflects just that. The constitution granted these rights to every citizen. I have battled hard against any bill that has come to the chamber during my time there that infringes on any part of these rights. I was a yes vote on the constitutional carry bill in committee this year.
Government Authority
Do you believe that the government has the legal power and authority to dictate what a person does with his or her body? If so, how?
No I don’t, GOD gave us our bodies, and we know what’s best for them and also what things we can morally do and put in it. The government has no place dictating such things.
Education
When the Republicans regain control of the Capitol we can devote more funds to K-12 education and less on some of the socialist programs that have been created in the last 4 years. The parents should know everything that their children are being taught and exposed to in the public schools, and they should have the right to have a say in what their local schools do. I am also a proponent of school choice, including Homeschool and Charter Schools.
School District Taxes
Do you believe that the Colorado legislature should make any adjustment to the level of taxes paid by residents in order to fund school district budgets? If so, how?
No. Since we have TABOR, it’s up to the voters to adjust taxes when appropriate.
National Popular Vote
What is your position on Colorado joining the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would effectively eliminate the electoral college’s role in presidential elections in favor of a national popular vote?
It’s a very bad idea. If the NPV was to be put in place, then places like New York and California would elect our president, and less populated states would have virtually no say. It’s quite obvious that New York and California definitely have a different political leaning than most of the other states, and definitely different than rural Colorado in which I reside. The Founding Fathers took a lot of time figuring out just how to set up the Electoral College for the explicit purpose of avoiding the possibility of states with large populations having all the say. I think they knew what they were doing, and we definitely need to stick with it (the Electoral College).
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TRAVIS NELSON
Democratic Candidate Information
Campaign Website URL: www.TravisForColorado.com
Email Address: TravisForColorado@gmail.com
Occupation/Vocation: Farmer
Resident of District Representing: Whole Life
Experience
What experience (personal, professional, other) would you bring to your role as Senator that will benefit our state?
Stepped up for our people
Vision
What is your vision for being a Colorado State Senator?
To fight against corruption that is rampant in the Division of Natural Resources and local Water Conservancy Districts.
Election Reform
Do you believe that elections in Colorado should be conducted differently? Should voters in Colorado be required to verify their identity and residential status in the respective counties in which they vote? Are you in favor of a single-day, in-person voting system consisting of all-paper ballots? Why or why not?
No opinion
Protecting the Most Vulnerable
As a Senator, how would you seek to protect the most vulnerable in our state, including the lives of the unborn, the trafficked, and the elderly?
Elderly need resources especially with aging baby boom population.
1st Amendment
What will you do as Colorado State Senator to protect our 1st Amendment rights to: the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech, peaceably assembly, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances, all of which are becoming more difficult to exercise in America (and around the world)?
No
2nd Amendment
Do you believe that gun ownership is a civil right, and what are your positions in regards to red flag laws, magazine capacity bans, legislation that regulates gun storage, and permitless “Constitutional carry”?
I will not restrict 2nd Amendment
Government Authority
Do you believe that the government has the legal power and authority to dictate what a person does with his or her body? If so, how?
No
Education
As a State Senator, what will you do to improve the education of our K – 12 students? What is your position on parental authority in education, including school choice?
More pay and housing incentive for rural teachers and law enforcement.
School District Taxes
Do you believe that the Colorado legislature should make any adjustment to the level of taxes paid by residents in order to fund school district budgets? If so, how?
Depends on need
National Popular Vote
What is your position on Colorado joining the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would effectively eliminate the electoral college’s role in presidential elections in favor of a national popular vote?
No opinion
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Christian voting
Voting is a simple, yet significant way to do something about public policy in our country. As people of faith, we will be held accountable for our actions, as well as our lack of action. (Luke 12:48)
Biblical worldview
By diligently learning, applying, and trusting God’s truths in every area of our lives, we can begin to develop a deep comprehensive faith that will stand against the unrelenting tide of our culture’s non-biblical ideas.
Vote your values
The issues of the day change. Political parties and platforms change. God’s Word never changes. The vote of every Christian should be based on the principles of Scripture and not persuasive personalities.
Electing righteous leaders
Bad governance and our loss of freedom is the direct result of the church’s failure to disciple. When the citizenry do not seek to be obedient to God’s Law, they vote in wicked and corrupt candidates, who then trample underfoot the God-given liberties of the people.