Incumbent Mary Bradfield is going up against Bill Garlington and Jan Koester in the Republican primary race for state House District 21, an area that covers a southern portion of Colorado Springs and includes Security-Widefield and Fountain.

For this voter guide, The Gazette asked candidates to set themselves apart from the competition, explain how they would work across the aisle and work to address any political overreach they have seen by the state legislature.

Mary Bradfield

Website: marybradfield.com

What are your top priorities for the next legislative session?

Child care, veterans, education and mental/behavioral health.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I have the experience. I have been involved in politics and campaigns for over 20 years. I have finished my fourth session of the Colorado General Assembly.

How will you work with the Democratic majority on legislative goals?

I know from the one bill I ran that had no Democratic legislator as a co-prime sponsor, that I must have a Democrat on a bill with me (quick learner, and the bill failed). I have been fortunate that my bills are not extreme, meaning that most people see the purpose and benefits. I have been glad to have people want to be a part of the bills I propose.

Do you believe the state has overstepped its authority?

Yes, the state has overstepped its authority. The list is just too long about ways that the majority party passes bills that make local or individual control difficult. Second Amendment bills, climate change, oil and gas industry, affordable housing restrictions and regulations, to name a few areas.

Bill Garlington

Website: garlington4colorado.com

What would be your top priorities next session?

Colorado state and income taxes and property taxes. Removal of sanctuary cities in Colorado. Fund the police and protect our gun rights. Look to codify the abortion ban as a state representative. Remove CRT, DEI in Colorado schools and workplace.

What sets you apart from your opponents?

I have been a conservative all my life. I am a political author, former congressional candidate from Florida, with a major in political science from Florida State University. My knowledge and my background makes me fit to be actionable on day one. My opponents — the first one has a 55% voting record when it comes to conservative issues. I believe she is failed in all capacities. The other opponent was put on the ballot to split the vote. She has no political experience or knowledge or background that I am aware of that would make her become actionable on day one.

How will you work with the Democratic majority on legislative goals?

As a lifelong political advocate in the private sector, I have worked in business with many different types of individuals.

I will always be open-minded, will listen to their side, hopefully and respectfully; they will listen to my side. If a proposed legislation goes against my moral and ideology compass, then we may have an issue with compromising on legislation.

Has the state overstepped their authority?

As a lifelong conservative, I believe in limited government on all levels. Federal, state, local. I believe government is necessary and good, but I believe politicians in all areas overstep their authority of power and forget the common American in most cases. There are too many laws, too many bills. If I’m elected, I will try to reduce the size of Colorado government, where more Americans can be free  and live their life without a lot of government bureaucracy. So yes, I believe government has overstepped their authority in most cases. Local control should come from the people.

Jan Koester

Website: jankoester4hd21.com

What would be your top priorities next session?

My top priority for the next legislative session would be to work with colleagues to restore good representation of our citizens. As I have walked my district, I’ve heard many in the community state that they don’t feel that their values are being represented. They are concerned about the increase in prices, taxes, the stripping of parental rights, 2nd Amendment rights, and the problems created with Denver being a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants.

When too many of our legislators work around TABOR to move funds out of the general fund, which is subject to TABOR refunds, to fund tax credits for college for certain individuals which will cost Colorado $38 million annually, or tax credits that are refundable to individuals that don’t even pay taxes, the needs of my constituents are not being represented.  I will stand against the continual onslaught of bills stipping our rights. Over 600 bills were introduced last legislative session. The bills that are passed and signed into law by the governor become new rules we have to live by.  The priorities I will fight for in the next session are protecting our children, our parental rights, our 2nd Amendment rights, our TABOR funds, and lowering taxes.

What sets you apart from your opponents?

What I will bring to this office are the values I live my life by. I value common sense, hard work, and honesty.  Being married to my husband for 45 years shows my loyalty and ability to persistently work through problems, as marriage is work. My husband says I have stamina. Raising two children requires placing others’ needs before my own. As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, I have strong core values but I seek to treat all people with respect whether we agree or disagree on matters. I believe strongly in the purpose of government set forth by our founding fathers with an emphasis on limited government, fiscal responsibility, and protection of our individual rights. I have lived and worked in the Fountain Valley area for over 40 years investing in the lives of children, families, and the community.  I love Colorado and want to represent my district well.

I would suggest you research the other candidates, especially the voting record of our incumbent on the Liberty Scorecard and the Colorado Union of Taxpayers websites to see if she represents you well.

How will you work with the Democratic majority on legislative goals?

To work with the Democratic majority, I will stand on my principles but look for opportunities to come together to work in areas of common concern. I will watch for ways to improve or amend bills I don’t feel represent my district’s wants or needs. I won’t cosponsor bills to have my name on them or to make them look bipartisan as has happened in the past.

Do you think the state has overstepped its authority? If so, how would you work to restore more local control? 

Yes, I think the state has overstepped its authority in many areas. If you are a parent, you know how different each of your children are. What works well with one doesn’t necessarily work well for the other. Well, school districts, communities, and towns are different also. As a teacher, I recognize the problem of one size fits all mentality. Wouldn’t the local school district with parental involvement know what is best for their district? Why should the state be in control of all school districts or all counties?

To restore more local control, I would run a bill to pull back control to jurisdictional boundaries. I would vote against bills seeking more control or offer amendments to curb the encroachment on local control. Educating elected officials about their jurisdictional authority and ability to push back would be another avenue to restore local control.