Michael Johnston (Colorado)

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Michael Johnston
Image of Michael Johnston
Mayor of Denver
Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

1

Predecessor
Prior offices
Colorado State Senate District 33

Elections and appointments
Last elected

June 6, 2023

Education

Bachelor's

Yale University, 1997

Graduate

Harvard University, 2000

Law

Yale University, 2003

Personal
Profession
Executive
Contact

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Michael Johnston is the Mayor of Denver in Colorado. He assumed office on July 17, 2023. His current term ends on July 19, 2027.

Johnston ran for election for Mayor of Denver in Colorado. He won in the general runoff election on June 6, 2023.

Johnston was previously a Democratic candidate for governor of Colorado in the 2018 election.[1] Click here for more information on the June 26 Democratic primary election. Click here for more information on the November 6 general election.

Biography

Michael Johnston earned a B.A. in English and philosophy from Yale University in 1997, an M.Ed. in education policy and school administration from Harvard University in 2000, and a J.D. from Yale University in 2003. Johnston's career experience includes working as the president and CEO of Gary Community Ventures, the principal of Joan Farley Academy, and an English teacher with Greenville High School. He co-founded Mapleton Public Schools and New Leaders for New Schools.[2]

Elections

2023

See also: Mayoral election in Denver, Colorado (2023)

General runoff election

General runoff election for Mayor of Denver

Michael Johnston defeated Kelly Brough in the general runoff election for Mayor of Denver on June 6, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Michael Johnston
Michael Johnston (Nonpartisan)
 
55.2
 
89,889
Image of Kelly Brough
Kelly Brough (Nonpartisan)
 
44.8
 
73,097

Total votes: 162,986
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for Mayor of Denver

The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of Denver on April 4, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Michael Johnston
Michael Johnston (Nonpartisan)
 
24.5
 
42,273
Image of Kelly Brough
Kelly Brough (Nonpartisan)
 
20.1
 
34,627
Image of Lisa Calderón
Lisa Calderón (Nonpartisan)
 
18.1
 
31,164
Image of Andy Rougeot
Andy Rougeot (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
11.5
 
19,927
Image of Leslie Herod
Leslie Herod (Nonpartisan)
 
10.7
 
18,506
Image of Chris Hansen
Chris Hansen (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
4.8
 
8,309
Image of Deborah Ortega
Deborah Ortega (Nonpartisan)
 
4.5
 
7,739
Image of Ean Tafoya
Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
1.6
 
2,700
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Terrance Roberts (Nonpartisan)
 
1.0
 
1,757
Image of Thomas Wolf
Thomas Wolf (Nonpartisan)
 
1.0
 
1,747
Image of Trinidad Rodriguez
Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
0.7
 
1,240
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Aurelio Martinez (Nonpartisan)
 
0.4
 
755
Image of Al Gardner
Al Gardner (Nonpartisan)
 
0.4
 
725
Image of James Walsh
James Walsh (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
0.4
 
722
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Renate Behrens (Nonpartisan)
 
0.1
 
184
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Robert Treta (Nonpartisan)
 
0.1
 
169
Image of Abass Yaya Bamba
Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) Candidate Connection
 
0.0
 
24
Image of Jesse Parris
Jesse Parris (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
11
Image of Paul Fiorino
Paul Fiorino (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
5
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Matt Brady (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
4
Image of Marcus Giavanni
Marcus Giavanni (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
1
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Danny F. Lopez (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
0

Total votes: 172,589
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2020

See also: United States Senate election in Colorado, 2020

United States Senate election in Colorado, 2020 (June 30 Republican primary)

United States Senate election in Colorado, 2020 (June 30 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Colorado

The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. Senate Colorado on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of John Hickenlooper
John Hickenlooper (D)
 
53.5
 
1,731,114
Image of Cory Gardner
Cory Gardner (R)
 
44.2
 
1,429,492
Image of Raymon Doane
Raymon Doane (L)
 
1.7
 
56,262
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Daniel Doyle (Approval Voting Party)
 
0.3
 
9,820
Image of Stephan Evans
Stephan Evans (Unity Party) Candidate Connection
 
0.3
 
8,971
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Bruce Lohmiller (G) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
0
Image of Danny Skelly
Danny Skelly (Independent) (Write-in) Candidate Connection
 
0.0
 
0
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Michael Sanchez (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
0

Total votes: 3,235,659
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Colorado

John Hickenlooper defeated Andrew Romanoff in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Colorado on June 30, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of John Hickenlooper
John Hickenlooper
 
58.7
 
585,826
Image of Andrew Romanoff
Andrew Romanoff
 
41.3
 
412,955

Total votes: 998,781
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Colorado

Incumbent Cory Gardner advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Colorado on June 30, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Cory Gardner
Cory Gardner
 
100.0
 
554,806

Total votes: 554,806
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for U.S. Senate Colorado

Raymon Doane defeated Gaylon Kent in the Libertarian primary for U.S. Senate Colorado on June 30, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Raymon Doane
Raymon Doane
 
62.8
 
4,365
Image of Gaylon Kent
Gaylon Kent
 
37.2
 
2,583

Total votes: 6,948
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Unity Party convention

Unity Party convention for U.S. Senate Colorado

Stephan Evans defeated Joshua Rodriguez in the Unity Party convention for U.S. Senate Colorado on April 4, 2020.

Candidate
Image of Stephan Evans
Stephan Evans (Unity Party) Candidate Connection
Image of Joshua Rodriguez
Joshua Rodriguez (Unity Party) Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2018

General election

General election for Governor of Colorado

Jared Polis defeated Walker Stapleton, Scott Helker, and Bill Hammons in the general election for Governor of Colorado on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jared Polis
Jared Polis (D)
 
53.4
 
1,348,888
Image of Walker Stapleton
Walker Stapleton (R)
 
42.8
 
1,080,801
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Scott Helker (L)
 
2.8
 
69,519
Image of Bill Hammons
Bill Hammons (Unity Party)
 
1.0
 
25,854

Total votes: 2,525,062
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Colorado

Jared Polis defeated Cary Kennedy, Michael Johnston, and Donna Lynne in the Democratic primary for Governor of Colorado on June 26, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jared Polis
Jared Polis
 
44.5
 
283,340
Image of Cary Kennedy
Cary Kennedy
 
24.7
 
157,396
Image of Michael Johnston
Michael Johnston
 
23.5
 
149,884
Image of Donna Lynne
Donna Lynne
 
7.3
 
46,382

Total votes: 637,002
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Colorado

Walker Stapleton defeated Victor Mitchell, Greg Lopez, and Doug Robinson in the Republican primary for Governor of Colorado on June 26, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Walker Stapleton
Walker Stapleton
 
47.7
 
239,861
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Victor Mitchell
 
30.1
 
151,585
Image of Greg Lopez
Greg Lopez
 
13.2
 
66,432
Image of Doug Robinson
Doug Robinson
 
9.0
 
45,327

Total votes: 503,205
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2016

See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Colorado State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 4, 2016.[3] Incumbent Michael Johnston (d) did not seek re-election.

Angela Williams defeated Raymon Doane in the Colorado State Senate District 33 general election.[4][5]

Colorado State Senate, District 33 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Angela Williams 81.95% 57,049
     Republican Raymon Doane 18.05% 12,564
Total Votes 69,613
Source: Colorado Secretary of State

Angela Williams defeated Jon Biggerstaff in the Colorado State Senate District 33 Democratic primary.[6][7]

Colorado State Senate, District 33 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Angela Williams 82.05% 12,837
     Democratic Jon Biggerstaff 17.95% 2,808
Total Votes 15,645


Raymon Doane ran unopposed in the Colorado State Senate District 33 Republican primary.[6][7]

Colorado State Senate, District 33 Republican Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Republican Green check mark transparent.png Raymon Doane  (unopposed)

2012

See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2012

Johnston won re-election in the 2012 election for Colorado State Senate District 33. He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on June 26, 2012. He defeated Jason DeBerry (R) and Courtney Kolva (L) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[8]

Colorado State Senate, District 33, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMike Johnston Incumbent 82.3% 51,357
     Republican Jason DeBerry 13.6% 8,456
     Libertarian Courtney Kolva 4.1% 2,579
Total Votes 62,392

2010

See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2010

Johnston sought re-election to the 33rd District seat in 2010. He faced no opposition in the primary election. He defeated Lisa Ringle (R) in the November 2 general election.

Colorado State Senate, District 33 General election (2010)
Candidates Votes
Green check mark transparent.png Michael Johnston (D) 33,634
Lisa Ringle (R) 7,276

2009

Johnston was appointed to the 31st District seat in the Colorado State Senate.

Campaign themes

2023

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Michael Johnston did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Michael Johnston did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Candidate Connection

Mike Johnston participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on June 4, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Mike Johnston's responses follow below.[9]

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

At a time when the world can seem hopelessly divided, I’m running for Governor because we can only get big things done in Colorado if we have the courage to cross those divides. I’m proud of the fact that as a state Senator, 100 of the 120 bills I passed had Republican co-sponsors. As Governor, I will continue to promote progressive values by building coalitions across our state. My top three priorities as Governor are as follows:

1. Go to the ballot to repeal the worst parts of TABOR so that the state can keep excess revenue generated in good economic times to reinvest it in the areas that need it most. I’ll dedicate much of these funds to strengthening the education system, including increasing teacher pay.
2. Increase access to high-quality affordable healthcare by launching a public option for medicaid, expanding CHIP coverage to include all children, regardless of immigration status, and passing legislation that requires pricing transparency so Coloradans can know what their care will cost.
3. Take the lead in creating more affordable housing statewide through innovative partnerships that will allow the state to use state land to develop affordable housing.[10][11]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

As a former school leader and principal, I am passionate about education and ensuring that every child in our state has access to a high quality education. That's why, as a senator, I passed Colorado's ASSET bill, giving undocumented students in Colorado access to in-state tuition for higher education. I also passed the largest legislative investment in K-12 in recent history, including funding for at-risk students in early elementary, to ensure we provide them the supports they need to become readers by the time they enter fourth grade. I launched my campaign with a policy idea called the Colorado Promise, which gives all Coloradans - of any age and any stage in their career - access to up to two years of debt-free college or skills training in exchange for service to the state. We know the economy is changing and the demands of tomorrow will require new skills and training for Coloradans to provide for their families with a good-paying job, and the Colorado Promise will help make that possible.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[11]

Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Mike Johnston answered the following:

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The candidates running for office will tell you the things that they care about, but I want to tell you a few things that I don't care about, because I think these are the types of values and characteristics that matter most. I don't care who you love, or how you worship. I don't care where you were born, or what your status is. I don't care if you're a Republican or a Democrat or don't belong to any party at all. If you're looking to divide Colorado, I will stand in your way. But if you want to do right by the families who live here, then let's stand together.[11]
Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?
Some of our best Governors in recent history have come from the State Legislature and because they know the people and the rules of those two houses, they are more effective and getting things done alongside state Legislators. I believe a Governor should be active in laying out priorities and using his or her pulpit to prioritize those. I also believe that a Governor and and should call upon the deep coalitions created during a campaign to bring constituents into the governing process so they have a voice in setting priorities and working with their elected officials to get things passed.[11]
What do you love most about your state?
People ask me all the time what it’s like to run for Governor. When I tell them it is an unspeakable gift, they look at me like I’m crazy. Back in May, we completed our tour of all 64 counties in Colorado, and if you had the chance to join me along any part of that journey, you would understand why this campaign has flown by in an instant, like a whirlwind romance that sweeps you off your feet and eliminates all sense of space and time.

I can only say that if you've ever seen 6 deer crossing a street in Ridgway on your way to dinner at the Colorado Boy, seen the sun set over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Westcliffe, seen a show at the Creede Repertory Theatre, or watched your kids place bets on how long it takes to make an old truck engine explode at the Baca County Fair, you would know. Or if you visited the last grocery store in Walsh, saved by the community when they had none, or listened to man in Routt County talk about how he worked all day in the fields on December 7, 1941 just so he could make enough money for the bus fare to Denver to join the U.S. Army in the war against Hitler, you would know.

If you've driven a harvesting combine in Byers, visited the Overland Trail Museum in Sterling, dug yourself out of a snowbank on Red Mountain Pass in a blizzard, eaten both cherry and apple cobbler for breakfast at Pagosa Baking Company, had the breakfast special at Moose Creek Cafe in Walden, been to the Wolf and Wildlife Center in Teller County, ridden the giant canyon swing in Glenwood Springs or climbed into a wind tower in Fleming, visited Doc Holliday’s grave in Garfield County or Oscar Wilde’s favorite bar in Leadville or Teddy Roosevelt’s favorite room at the Meeker Hotel, been to the Palisade Peach Festival or seen the sunrise launch of the Creede Balloon Festival in Mineral County, eaten the flat enchiladas at All Gon in Fort Garland, or the burger at 4th Street Diner next door to the haunted Saguache Hotel, or been to the Hippodrome Arts Centre in Julesburg, had the stuffed jalapeños at the Dish Room in Burlington, been to the Turtle Race in Cheyenne Wells, or tried the whiskey at Elkins Distilling Co. in Estes Park, you would know.

If you had joined us at any of those stops, you would wake up every day breathless at how grateful you are to live in Colorado, just like me.[11]

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Michael Johnston campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2020U.S. Senate ColoradoWithdrew primary$3,616,852 $2,465,742
2012Colorado State Senate, District 33Won $37,621 N/A**
2010Colorado State Senate, District 33Won $71,221 N/A**
Grand total$3,725,694 $2,465,742
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

State legislative tenure

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Colorado

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Colorado scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].





2020

In 2020, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 8 to June 15.

Legislators are usually scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. However, in 2020 the organization released this more detailed overview of the legislative session.
Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability."
Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.


2019


2018


2017


2016


2015


2014


2013

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Committee assignments

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Johnston served on the following committees:

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Johnston served on the following committees:

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Johnston served on these committees:

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Johnston served on these committees:

See also


External links

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by
Michael Hancock
Mayor of Denver
2023-Present
Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
-
Colorado State Senate District 33
2009-2017
Succeeded by
-


Senators
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
Democratic Party (7)
Republican Party (3)