State Sen. Larry Liston, a longtime state politician, is facing Rex Tonkins and David Stiver in the Republican Primary for Senate District 10, an area that covers a north-central portion of Colorado Springs and a dense portion of El Paso County.

The challengers have both faced Liston before in public conflicts in recent years.

Liston alleged Tonkins “chest-bumped” him after the two exchanged words near the end of a tense 2021 party meeting at a Colorado Springs church. Tonkins denied he had acted aggressively in any way and a jury acquitted Tonkins on misdemeanor harassment charges, Colorado Politics reported.

Rex Tonkins is married to El Paso County Chairwoman Vickie Tonkins.

The other challenger, David Stiver, a longtime party activist, waged a court battle to make the ballot to run against Liston for the same seat in 2020 but lost, Colorado Politics reported. He claimed he was treated unfairly during the El Paso County GOP assembly that was held online. In that assembly, Liston captured most of the votes.

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.

Larry Liston

Website: friendsoflarryliston.com

What would be your top priorities next session?

As a business-friendly legislator and ranking member of the Business and Labor Committee, I will continue my efforts to support business interests here in Colorado by working with the Colorado Chamber to reduce onerous regulations on businesses and work to keep higher fees placed on them by the majority party. Another priority of mine in 2025 will be to continue my efforts to move nuclear energy forward here in our state. I proposed legislation in 2024 that would have signaled that Colorado is open and interested in exploring the possibility for nuclear energy to return to Colorado. In that vein, I started the “Nuclear Caucus” in the legislature, which is bipartisan in membership and was very well-received by both parties. Last but not least, I will continue to be a strong voice to defend TABOR.

What sets you apart from your opponents?

I bring vast experience in legislative matters and a wealth of knowledge in the legislative process garnered over 16 years in both chambers. My opponents have no legislative experience, and both lack the temperament to be successful legislators. I am widely known in Senate District 10 as an approachable and effective senator who will listen to various viewpoints to craft effective legislation. I am proud that I have been endorsed by the Colorado Chamber, the Fraternal Order of Police and in 2023 was named the “Champion of the Colorado Medical Society.” In addition, I have been recognized three times by the American Conservative Union and the Centennial Institute for their “Faith, Family and Freedom” award for my outstanding legislative record. I am known as an effective senator in SD 10; the people know me, they trust me and appreciate my service.

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

Over the past four years, Senate Republicans have unfortunately been in the minority. I have learned that if you want to get something done, you have to be able to work with the majority party, which I have been able to successfully do. For instance, I worked with the majority party and passed legislation to benefit young adults with prosthetic devices, legislation that helped the many “special districts” in our state and bills that will help wildfire mitigation. Even in defeat of my nuclear bill this year, I was able to significantly raise awareness that many of the majority party see that it will benefit Coloradans. I did all of this and more without sacrificing my core beliefs and conservative principles.

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

Yes, I do think that the state and the Democratic Party have overstepped authority in several areas as a result of one-party control of all the levers of power in this state: the executive branch, the legislative branch and the judicial branch since 2020. There was legislation this year to dictate the size and scope of dwelling units, legislation to gut Colorado’s oil and gas industry, increases on lodging property taxes, increased fees on all types of alcohol, not to mention all of the anti-Second Amendment bills rammed through by the majority party. Quite frankly, if Coloradans want more local control, which I support, then we need to bring some balance back to the legislature! One-party control with huge majorities is hurting Colorado and turning our state into “California East.” My sense is the many citizens in our state are tired of being told what to do by the legislators from the Denver-Boulder corridor.

David Stiver

Website: david4coloradosenate.com

What would be your top priorities next session?

Government overreach/regulations (administrative state).

Judicial reform (justices/magistrates) (former judicial employee/judicial administration).

Taxation (Senate Bill 233).

What sets you apart from your opponents?

Military veteran/disabled veteran.

Small-business owner. Signed both sides of the check.

Proven record of service: appeared and testified before numerous boards, commissions, agencies and legislative bodies on a wide variety of issues.

Crime victim advocate: assisted with the drafting and passage of Colorado’s Crime Victim Bill of Rights.

Professor: adjunct professor (undergraduate/graduate- accounting/economics/finance); bachelor’s degree, University of Colorado Colorado Springs; master’s, University of Phoenix.

Colorado judiciary: Former employee of the 4th Judicial District Court. Project director of the Crime Victim Restitution Collection Program. Custodian of record for the Victim Assistance and Aid to Law Enforcement Program (VALE), Victim Compensation Fund (state), Victim Compensation Fund (federal).

Endorsements: Douglas Bruce, author of TABOR (Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights).

Administrative state: Experience in all three branches of government.

Colorado registered investment adviser (Series 63/65); (1998-present).

CMCA: Certified manager of community associations (CAI). Expert witness (Community Association Management-4th Judicial District Court).

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

Since 1876, the Colorado Republican Party has only controlled the House, Senate, and governorship (trifecta) a total of four times. Republicans last controlled the House in 2010 by one seat, and last controlled the Senate in 2018, by three seats. The last (Republican) governor was Bill Owens (1998-2006). Today, the Democrats enjoy a 46-19 majority, the largest in Colorado history. However, if the Democrats operated under a tyranny of the majority concept, every vote would end as 46-19. This has not been the case. As such, one need merely look at what votes did a Democratic legislator oppose their own party and seek support on those issues? For example, there are Democratic legislators who have higher liberty scorecard ratings than our own Republican legislators.

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

Yes. For example, Senate Bill 2024-159 would have shut down all oil and gas production in Colorado during the months of March through September. It would have begun in 2030. However, nearly “all” if not “all” oil and gas production in Colorado would have ceased by 2032. This would have adversely affected 210 companies, 30,000 employees and would have indirectly impacted approximately 300,000 Coloradans. Similarly, the administrative state has sought to shut down the meatpacking plants and stockyards. As well as instituting compulsory carpooling for anyone traveling more than 2.5 miles from their home and place of business. Title 24 of the Administrative Procedures Act grants to bureaus, departments and agencies the authority to provide taxpayer funds to nongovernmental organizations and nonprofits. This includes providing taxpayer-funded agency funding and benefits to illegal immigrants (food, shelter, education, etc.) All zoning should be at the local level.

Rex Tonkins

Website: electrextonkins.com

Tonkins had not replied to The Gazette’s questionnaire as of publication time.