Conifer’s Mike Daniels challenging incumbent Kopp for state Senate

Conifer Democrat Mike Daniels slid in just under the wire, getting his name on the ballot in state Senate District 22 on June 3, at virtually the last possible minute.

Emile Hallez Williams

Mike Daniels

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Daniels, a former Reagan Republican whose eclectic résumé ranges from Air Force service to publishing and standup comedy, was nominated by a vacancy committee. Though he had not planned to run, he offers an alternative to incumbent Republican Mike Kopp, who was previously thought to be running unopposed. A recent Columbine Courier profile of Kopp, which was written before a final list of candidates was available, incorrectly that stated he had no opponent.

As a late entry, Daniels’ campaign has yet to leave the ground. He hasn’t set up a website and has so far raised not a dime for campaigning. Yet he candidly says Kopp is the one who needs to catch up.

“People already know me,” he said. “Name recognition is very important here.”

Based on Daniels’ unique array of professional hats and association titles — he’s currently the Colorado Civil Air Patrol’s spokesman, and he’s served on more than a few volunteer boards — he’s no stranger to many in Jefferson County. And Daniels, 51, isn’t new to politics. He ran a reasonably close race in 2006 against Republican Rob Witwer in House District 25, capturing 43 percent of the votes.

While running as a Democrat, Daniels cautions anyone who would speculate about his views based on party affiliation. Fiscally, he calls himself conservative. And though he advocates reproductive autonomy for women and same-sex marriage equality, he vehemently defends the Second Amendment and capital punishment. And there is a place for medical marijuana in society, he said, simultaneously taking a hard line against recreational use.

“I believe that teachers who are trained, law-abiding and knowledgeable … should be allowed to carry guns in a school setting. Absolutely,” said Daniels, noting that Jefferson County’s ominous history of school shootings provides a sober justification for such a measure. “In a school setting in the world we live in now, that’s a reality.”

His primary issue is one currently ubiquitous in state and national politics. Job creation, he said, would be his primary focus if elected. But Daniels would not divulge any plans for implementing a successful economy-boosting strategy, citing results of his 2006 race, from which opponents appropriated his platform ideas to reduce insurance costs associated with fire protection, he said.

As a legislator, his effectiveness at maximizing spending efficiency would mirror that of his ability to run a successful campaign using minimal financial resources, he said. Volunteers will play an enormous role, and he will often be found going door to door or introducing himself to voters in front of supermarkets.

“It’s a matter of knowing how to use funds,” he said. “It is my goal to raise as little as possible. … I don’t like the idea of taking money from people.”

And for the Massachusetts native, who holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado, campaigning is a matter of showing voters what they can expect. Daniels has strong opinions, and he wants people to know it.

His goatee and the shaggy hair are part of the package, too, he said. They’re not going away.

“I won’t change colors,” he said. “I’m not a chameleon.”

Contact Emile Hallez Williams at emile@evergreenco.com or 303-933-2233, ext. 22. For updates, check www.ColumbineCourier.com.