I'm an out Democrat in Douglas County, CO. This is what most Democrats in Douglas County look like:
We're in the minority at the present, but we're growing - - the most recent presidential election mobilized the closeted and the momentum continues with our U.S. senate primary race and some truly interesting state contests.
So. Why is an out, loud Dem in Douglas County serving as campaign manager for an unaffiliated candidate in House District 44? Because he rocks. Because an unaffiliated candidate actually stands a chance to win in HD 44. And because what he says and what he will do matter more than the letter after his name.
That name is Peter Douglas Ericson. At 25, he's barely old enough to run for the House of Representatives, but he's lived a lot in his quarter century. You hear the old saw "old soul" quite a bit, but this is what it really means - - Peter is wise beyond his years, eerily able to read a room, brave in ways that can't be explained by his young testosterone, ethical in a sense that continues to surprise. His smarts transcend book learning - - it's an intelligence that isn't teachable.
As a state representative, Peter will have the chance to sponsor five pieces of legislation and this coincides with his five major platform planks:
> Immigration Reform - - Peter is a huge advocate for humane, logical, ethical immigration reform that supports guest workers who do jobs that U.S. citizens can't or won't do (even in times of high unemployment) and that allows an efficient path to citizenship.
> Criminal Justice System Reform - - We spend far too much on locking people up. The United States continues to lead the world in people under judicial system supervision; it's time to think systemically and creatively about our responses to crime, particularly nonviolent crimes involving property or substances. Peter would like to divert capital construction monies to other approaches proven to be effective, such as quality education and community-based resources.
> Education - - Peter would like to work to find ways to support administrators and teachers in doing a great job, particularly at the K-12 level. Colorado is 49th in school funding in the nation, which is criminal in a state that enjoys such abundance in many senses. One of our best investments is in education - - a quality education can prop up protective factors that prevent delinquency and other high risk activities.
> Community Resource Development - - This is another area of sad underfunding. For example, Colorado is 50th in the nation in funding for mental health services. Where do our folks with mental health issues end up? In the criminal system. Peter supports system-of-care approaches that can save money by keeping people in their communities, attached to important protective elements such as family, school and work, while receiving more and better treatment that is customized to their particular needs and strengths.
> Job Creation - - Peter supports buy-local campaigns to encourage Colorado manufacturing, production and service-based businesses. Making Colorado more sustainable is one of his primary goals in working toward fiscal health for our state.
If Peter is elected to the House of Representatives in November, he'll be the first unaffiliated candidate to hold a H of R seat since 1891. He might also be the longest-haired and most tattooed person ever to hold an H of R seat! He's one of a kind - - there'll never be another Peter Douglas Ericson, and he'll make the House of Representatives better.
Vote Ericson in November!
