2024 Primary Election
REPUBLICAN
STATE REPRESENTATIVE HD56 CANDIDATES
HD56 Republican Primary Candidates
Listed in Ballot Order
THE TOPICS
& QUESTIONS
click each box to read
Candidate Information
House District:
Campaign Website URL:
Email Address:
Occupation/Vocation:
Military Background (if any):
Years Resident of El Paso County/District Represented:
Your Experience, Priorities, and Vision
What experience (personal, professional, other), priorities, and vision do you have for the elected office that you seek that will benefit your constituency?
Ethics and Accountability
1st Amendment
2nd Amendment
What is your position on gun legislation regarding topics such as mandatory gun insurance, an increased minimum age to purchase a gun, so-called “assault weapons” bans, and creating various new “sensitive spaces” (additional “gun-free zones”)?
Anti-Americanism and Anti-Semitism
Over the past year there has been a sharp rise in the expression of anti-Americanism and anti-Semitism both across our nation and in Colorado, especially among youth. What do you view as the cause(s) of these sociopolitical issues, and what if anything should be done to address them?
The Economy and Resources
As an elected official, what initiatives would you champion to improve the local economy, and what are your priorities for addressing policies on water, energy, and other resources?
Education
If elected, what would you do to help improve the educational outcomes for students in our area? What is your position on parental authority in K-12 education, including school choice, parental notifications, etc.?
Protecting the Vulnerable
If elected, how will you seek to protect the lives of the most vulnerable in our community, including the unborn, victims of trafficking and abuse, senior citizens, and those experiencing mental illness?
Crime
What are your thoughts about crime in Colorado and our community? If elected, how will you work to reduce the impact of crime on your constituents?
Immigration
Do you believe that illegal entries into the U.S. have led to problems for our region? If so, what would you do if elected to improve the situation? Also, what is your view of sanctuary cities/counties?
Election Security and Confidence
Do you believe that elections in Colorado should be conducted differently? (For example, should people be required to show proof of citizenship and residency for registering to vote in Colorado, and should Government-issued identification be required to vote?) If elected, what specifically will you do to help improve Coloradans’ confidence in our elections?
CHRIS RICHARDSON
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survey question and reply
Candidate Information
House District: 56
Campaign Website URL: www.Richardson-HD56.com
Email Address: Chris@Richardson-HD56.com
Occupation/Vocation: County Commissioner
Military Background (if any): U.S. Army Colonel/Retired
Years Resident of El Paso County/District Represented: 14 years, plus 5 years during prior military assignments
Your Experience, Priorities, and Vision
What experience (personal, professional, other), priorities, and vision do you have for the elected office that you seek that will benefit your constituency?
A proven conservative leader, I’m guided by the optimistic republicanism of Ronald Reagan and steadfast principles of Rush Limbaugh. With two decades of military service, from leading an Infantry Platoon in Desert Storm to Brigade Command at Fort Carson, I’ve seen many forms of government and all the good and bad our world has to offer. Nothing exceeds the results of our American experiment in self-governance. From school board to county commissioner, I’ve worked to keep government off the backs of The People. Colorado is ruled by those seduced by the idea that government can provide everything, if it is just big enough. I will continue my fight against that notion so we can Make Colorado, Colorado Again.
Ethics and Accountability
What are your beliefs on ethics, accountability, and transparency in government as they relate to the position that you are seeking? Also, what is your position on accountability measures voted into law by Colorado’s electorate, such as the Colorado Sunshine Law and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR)?
Honesty, integrity, and open communication are critical in all positions of public trust. I have held such positions for over 30 years – in selfless service as a U.S. Army officer, as an elected School Board Director, and through two terms as County Commissioner. Many legislators truly believe that, “its constitutional, until the courts say it isn’t.” When the people speak at the ballot box their decisions are disrespected. TABOR is steadily and purposely weakened through the imposition of new taxes called “fees”, new enterprises are openly established in a manner that skirts limitations voted on by the people, and the legislature has excused themselves from sunshine laws. This needs to stop, and it needs to be reversed.
1st Amendment
If elected, what will you do to protect your constituents’ rights to freedom of religion, speech, peaceable assembly, and petitioning the government for a redress of grievances?
The Five Freedoms, inalienable rights recognized and protected by the constitution, are the foundation of American Exceptionalism. Protecting the rights of citizens is the primary role of government. I have fought to defend them in uniform, and at the board table. As a Commissioner, our county designated worship as an “essential public function” and protected our churches during the COVID shut- downs. When the state allowed rioting in Denver and threatened local gatherings, we declared our “Meat-in” to be protected political speech. Our meetings are open to all, every item of discussion and action allows for public comment. Government was formed to serve The People. That must be respected and honored always.
2nd Amendment
What is your position on gun legislation regarding topics such as mandatory gun insurance, an increased minimum age to purchase a gun, so-called “assault weapons” bans, and creating various new “sensitive spaces” (additional “gun-free zones”)?
My position on all of the above is, “NO!” “Shall not be infringed” has a very clear and specific meaning. I am an NRA Patriot Life Member and member of the Colorado State Shooting Association. Our founders understood that tyranny exists and the basic right to defend yourself and your loved ones is essential for maintaining a free society. As a Commissioner, I have testified against all of these measures. Our county abides by the Constitution. We bar use of public resources to enact red-flag orders, we refuse to use any authorities granted to restrict Second Amendment Rights and, have enacted an ordinance reversing the infringements of the new “sensitive spaces” law in our county.
Anti-Americanism and Anti-Semitism
Over the past year there has been a sharp rise in the expression of anti-Americanism and anti-Semitism both across our nation and in Colorado, especially among youth. What do you view as the cause(s) of these sociopolitical issues, and what if anything should be done to address them?
Our house is divided. “One Nation Under God,” our country’s moto, and “E Pluribus Unum” (Out of Many, One)” our founding credo, has given way to a celebration of diversity which has led to separatism, disharmony, and ultimately designation of classes of people, and Marxist class warfare. Starting in the 1960’s, the Obama-era “apology tours” and “leading from behind” accelerated the process. Political power was granted to those committed to a distorted history of our great nation and its allies. A perhaps well-meaning effort to combat “islamophobia” after 9/11 blossomed into antisemitism. The 1619 Project and Critical Race Theory elements have infected our schools and colleges. We must recommit tour founding ideals and teach our children well.
The Economy and Resources
As an elected official, what initiatives would you champion to improve the local economy, and what are your priorities for addressing policies on water, energy, and other resources?
I commit to protecting capitalism and the free market. Legislative and regulatory assaults on Colorado’s lifeblood industries of Oil & Gas/Mining, Agriculture, and Outdoor Recreation are unrelenting. The first two have been under sustained attack for years leading to a flight of investment capital and producers. This isn’t sustainable and must be reversed. We must support those remaining who are willing to operate in our state and eliminate existing legislative barriers. These primary industries support the medium and small businesses that employ most Colorado workers, and they struggle too – harming communities and families. Rather than strangle the drivers of our economy, we need to unleash them. The revenue gained will allow us to address long-term water and infrastructure issues.
Education
If elected, what would you do to help improve the educational outcomes for students in our area? What is your position on parental authority in K-12 education, including school choice, parental notifications, etc.?
As a former school board member, I firmly believe parents have the ultimate authority and bear the fundamental responsibility for raising their children. This includes educating them. The legislature needs to respect this. Schools need to respect this. Education dollars should follow the child and be applied to support traditional public, chartered public, private, religious or home schooling as the parents direct. Funding is important, but more money doesn’t necessarily mean more learning. Improving educational outcomes starts with parental expectations of their own children’s performance, that of the schools they attend and their local school boards. State standards should focus on the three “R’s” – not the relentless pursuit of social engineering and sexual/moral indoctrination that is harming our kids.
Protecting the Vulnerable
If elected, how will you seek to protect the lives of the most vulnerable in our community, including the unborn, victims of trafficking and abuse, senior citizens, and those experiencing mental illness?
Citizens are entitled to equal protection under the law and cannot be deprived of their rights without due process of law. Based on these two principles, the protection of the lives of the unborn and restoring liberty to those trafficked and abused are clearly a responsibility of government. Those who cannot defend or claim their rights- such the elderly, or the mentally ill- also deserve protection. While self-reliance is prized, realistically it is not always possible for every individual to fend for themselves. Private charity is not able to support all in need. When necessary, government action should always focus on restoring independence and dignity. When using tax dollars, a hand-up will always be preferable to a hand-out.
Crime
What are your thoughts about crime in Colorado and our community? If elected, how will you work to reduce the impact of crime on your constituents?
Shamefully, Colorado is listed as the 48th of our 50 states in terms of public safety- number 44 in violent crimes and 49th in property crimes. Poor public policy has turned Colorado from a state full of proudly independent citizens to a state full of potential victims. Legalization of drugs, reduction of serious offenses from felonies to misdemeanors, reductions in sentencing, release of repeat offenders without bail, failure to address violent and destructive protests- all have emboldened criminals. Simultaneously, law enforcement officers have been targeted by legislation that increases financial risk to them and families and makes their jobs harder, and citizens’ ability to defend themselves is weakened. All of this is unacceptable and must be reversed.
Immigration
Do you believe that illegal entries into the U.S. have led to problems for our region? If so, what would you do if elected to improve the situation? Also, what is your view of sanctuary cities/counties?
Jurisdictions that provide “sanctuary” are guilty of accessory after the fact – they aid and abet those who have broken our immigration laws. As a Commissioner, I voted to formally resolve that our county shall not be a sanctuary for those entering our nation illegally. My county is party to a lawsuit seeking to reverse state laws preventing our Sheriff from coordinating with federal officials on immigration matters. If this suit fails, I will reintroduce legislation to repeal those laws. My county has suffered the impacts of trafficking of humans and drugs along the highways that pass through our communities. While I can sympathize with the plights of individuals, we cannot place their needs above those of our own citizens.
Election Security and Confidence
Do you believe that elections in Colorado should be conducted differently? (For example, should people be required to show proof of citizenship and residency for registering to vote in Colorado, and should Government-issued identification be required to vote?) If elected, what specifically will you do to help improve Coloradans’ confidence in our elections?
While the Secretary of State claims that Colorado’s elections are the “Gold Standard”, it very well may be fool’s gold. The standard for every election should be that every valid vote received is accurately counted with auditable results. A valid vote is one cast legally by an individual that is verified as eligible to vote and who’s identity has been verified. The current system needs improvement badly. Changes I propose include: (1) Ballots should be mailed only to those who request them or available at the polling place, (2) Same day voter registration should end so residency can be verified, or provisional ballots issued, (3) improved signature verification, and (4) elimination of any wireless devices in voting machinery.
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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.