VOLUME 122 | ISSUE 30
WEEK OF JUNE 20, 2024
$2
Two Democrats in tussle to unseat Commissioner George Teal
We are asking Coloradans what they want candidates to focus on
Angela Thomas and Julien Bouquet face off in Douglas County’s District 2
Thousands of respondents express frustration with polarization BY TINA GRIEGO, MEGAN VERLEE, NEWS STAFF COLORADO NEWS COLLABORATIVE, CPR NEWS, COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Julien Bouquet
Angela Thomas
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
tioning themselves as an alternative to the status quo — to the all-GOP board of county commissioners, which they consider politically extreme. Thomas, who spent 20 years as a social worker, wants to “bring moderation to Douglas County.” “We have to bring people back together and make decisions that are good for all the people of the county, not just a certain demographic,” said Thomas, a former chair of the Douglas County Democratic Party.
Thousands of Coloradans responding to a survey by their local newsrooms say candidates competing for their votes this year need to be focused primarily on several broad issues: democracy and good government, the economy and cost of living, the environment, climate and natural resources, immigration and abortion. Which concerns weigh most heavily on respondents’ minds changes with their politics. Conservatives in the survey prioritized immigration and the economy, followed by the state of the government. Moderates and liberals, in contrast, chose democracy and good government as their top issue by a wide margin. “If we don’t have free and informed citizens with equal access to the ballot box, then we won’t have
SEE COMMISSIONERS, P7
SEE CANDIDATES, P4
Incumbent Douglas County Commissioner George Teal, a Republican, is running unopposed in the upcoming June 25 primary. That places him automatically on the ballot for November, where he will face a Democratic challenger. The question for Democratic voters in the county is: Which one? Angela Thomas and Julien Bouquet are on the party’s primary ballot. Both Democrats are posi-
VOICES: 14 | LIFE: 16 | CALENDAR: 19
DOUGLASCOUNTYNEWSPRESS.NET • A PUBLICATION OF COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
unlocking % 5 .01 smarter savings. apy ensuring you’re covered. *
10-month term
*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) and interest rate of Certificate of Deposit (CD) may change after account opening. Fees could reduce earnings on the CD. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. *The CD is automatically renewed into a Standard 9 month CD with current rate at renewal. *The Annual Percentage Yield is current as of June 3, 2024.
Connect with Us To Learn More 303.660.4001 120 S. Wilcox Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 www.firstierbanks.com