2023 Candidate Endorsements
Boulder Mayor Candidates
Boulder has made incredible progress in the past few years. To keep that focus, and momentum, Boulder needs a strong Democratic mayor with a bold vision for the future and a plan to make it happen.
This year, you’ll get to elect our Mayor using Ranked Choice Voting. This means you don’t have to choose just one progressive candidate for Mayor.
When you vote, rank Nicole and Aaron as your top two choices for Mayor!
Vote Blue
Vote Two
Vote Nicole Speer
and Aaron Brockett
Aaron Brockett
Mayor Aaron Brockett has been working for the past two years as the mayor of Boulder and he has been a member of Boulder City Council for the past eight years.
Aaron has enabled expansion of ADU construction, cooperative housing, and has focused on building more housing along transit corridors. He has served on the Highway 119 Executive Committee for regional bus rapid transit, and has pushed through miles of protected bike lanes in the city. Aaron has been a climate champion, pushing for increased energy efficient standards and electric buses. He has also led the council as Boulder formed its first Racial Equity Plan.
Aaron has served on the Denver Regional Council of Governments and Metro Mayors Caucus, and looks forward to continuing his work on important issues for Boulder in the region and statewide.
Nicole Speer
Councilmember Nicole Speer has been serving on Boulder City Council for the past two years. She is a doctor, scientist, parent, and businesswoman. She leads teams of researchers and students in the Institute for Cognitive Science (ICS) at CU-Boulder, and she is a proud member of the United Campus Workers Colorado, the NAACP Boulder County Branch, and the Democratic Socialists of America.
Nicole’s priorities on City Council have been inclusive governance, housing and human services, social and racial justice, and basic needs assistance for Boulder workers and families.
Nicole has been consistent advocate for racial equity in both city and statewide decision-making processes.
Boulder City Council Candidates
Taishya Adams and Ryan Schuchard have strong records of service and leadership in the community. They are advocates for a Boulder that prioritizes people and that ensures that the beauty of our natural resources will be accessible for generations to come.
Vote Ryan Schuchard
and Taishya Adams
Taishya Adams
Taishya Adams is an environmentalist, educator, and social justice advocate. Her firm Mukuyu Collective works with nonprofits, businesses, and governmental agencies on strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and community empowerment with a focus on equity and inclusion.
Taishya has served as a Colorado Parks and Wildlife commissioner and on Boulder’s inaugural Police Oversight Panel.
On City Council, she will focus on housing, biodiversity and habitat restoration, and governance that centers the voices of marginalized and disinvested communities.
Ryan Schuchard
Ryan Schuchard is a climate advocate and a father of two school-aged children. His work has centered on helping communities to improve safety and reduce their carbon footprint, and on helping families save money on transportation and learn how to better access bike and bus options across the city.
Ryan is a member of Boulder’s Transportation Advisory Board, and has pushed forward transformational changes that will allow the city to expand its network of protected bike lanes and regional transit routes.
On City Council, Ryan will focus on being a champion for sustainable housing, fighting climate change at the local level, and making our streets safe for everyone.
Boulder Valley School District Candidates
Jorge Chavez, Neil Fishman, Andrew Brandt, and Alex Medler are four of the strongest candidates who have run in years. Their depth of knowledge and long history with the school district combined with their lived experience and commitment to equity and inclusion, means they will be effective on day one.
Vote Jorge Chavez, Neil Fishman, Andrew Brandt, and Alex Medler
Jorge Chávez (District G)
Jorge Chávez immigrated to the United States from Guatemala when he was 5 years old. He started kindergarten without knowing a single word of English and was part of his school’s English as a Second Language classes. He went on to earn bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice and a PhD in Criminal Justice.
Jorge is currently an Associate Professor at The University of Colorado at Denver in the School of Education. He has three young children in BVSD and has been the chair of the BVSD District Accountability Committee for the past two years, also volunteering with BVSD as a member of the PTA, a member of Family & Educators Together, a member of the Latino Parent Advisory Council, and chair of his School Accountability Committee.
As a member of the BVSD Board of Education, Jorge will work to meet the needs of all students by growing an inclusive school community, increasing resources for mental health and well-being, and centering. equity, transparency, and accountability in decision-making.
Neil Fishman (District A)
Neil Fishman is an award-winning research scientist, father of a recent BVSD graduate, and advocate for non-discrimination and equal representation.
Neil has been a member of BVSD’s District Parent Council (DPC), the University of Colorado’s President’s Blue-Ribbon Commission on Diversity, Boulder County Health Department’s “Only One” Project on HIV transmission, the City of Boulder’s “Valuing Diversity: Education on Homophobia and Heterosexism” program, a co-team lead for the Boulder County Democratic Party’s Outreach and Inclusion Team, and both Treasurer and President of the board of the Boulder County AIDS Project.
As a member of the BVSD Board of Education, Neil will focus on increased mental and emotional health support for all students, district-wide equity initiatives, anti-bullying and harassment policies, and employing a data-based approach to our school evaluations to ensure we are providing inclusive schools and curriculum that are representative of all students. Neil will focus on broadening measures of student assessment and on setting high educational standards to ensure academic excellent across our district.
Andrew Brandt (District D)
Andrew Brandt is a computer security expert, malware analyst, and award-winning investigative journalist who has two teenagers in BVSD. Andrew has been volunteering for a decade in his children’s schools in BVSD, as well as volunteering in the Media Archaeology Lab at the University of Colorado, and with Out Boulder.
Andrew is a passionate gardener and advocate for sustainable agriculture, and an avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast. Andrew has a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach that allows him to work closely with people of differing viewpoints and bring them together towards consensus.
As a member of the BVSD Board of Education, Andrew will bring his expertise in technology to aid the district in ensuring best-practices in technology and facilities updates, helping to address the challenges and opportunities that advancement in AI technology are bringing to our public school curricula, working through complex issues related to declining enrollment and the impacts of the rising cost of living, and focusing on opportunity gaps and disproportionate discipline.
Alex Medler (District C)
Alex Medler's career has focused on leading national and Colorado-based non-profit and governmental entities, and serving on boards and commissions addressing children’s issues. Alex worked on legislation that transitioned Rocky Flats out of the production of nuclear weapons to clean-up, and has been involved with key policy work in education across the state.
Alex is a passionate and dedicated advocate for improved access, services, and outcomes for students with disabilities and has worked to address childhood poverty, child health and well-being, early childhood education, and high school graduation requirements. Alex is father to two recent BVSD graduates and was a volunteer in his children’s schools throughout their educational careers.
As a member of the BVSD Board of Education, Alex will work to expand opportunities for all students, foster a culture of understanding and respect across our schools so all students, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, are safe, celebrated, and supported, and will make additional investments in schools serving high proportions of historically underserved students.
