Julie Gonzales: “It is time for Colorado to elect a female Senator”

ASPIRANT FOR THE COLORADO SENATE CANDIDACY | Local Democratic Senator, Julie Gonzales. (Foto/El Comercio de Colorado)

THE LOCAL SENATOR WANTS TO REACH THE FEDERAL SENATE

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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The political landscape of Colorado is entering a stage of crucial decisions ahead of the upcoming open primary elections. In an exclusive conversation with State Senator Julie Gonzales, a current contender for the Democratic nomination for the federal Senate, the lawmaker explained the reasons driving her to challenge the current seat holder, John Hickenlooper.

With a seven-year track record of firmly representing North, West, and Central Denver in the state legislature, Gonzales believes the country urgently needs more decisive leadership. “Colorado is one of only four states that has never elected a woman to be governor or senator, and I believe it is already time,” the candidate stated forcefully.

Julie Gonzales: “It is time for Colorado to elect a female Senator”

Gonzales asserts that her vision as a lawmaker distances itself from traditional pragmatism. The local senator defines her platform as the first challenge from the left against a Democratic incumbent in the entire country: “I confront political incrementalism with my record of struggle. At this moment, within the Democratic Party, we have an opportunity to decide if we want more of a policy of incrementalism,” she pointed out.

The candidate rejects the approach of making small marginal adjustments “to avoid conflicts and maintain the status quo.” For Gonzales, this primary represents the ideal historical window for voters to decide what kind of leadership the state deserves in Washington.

On becoming a Senator

What must a federal budget include for you to vote in favor?

Julie Gonzales: To receive my vote in favor, a federal budget must strictly respect human rights and stop giving blank checks to agencies like the immigration service.

What do you consider to be the main external adversary of the U.S.?

JG: The true external danger arises when international alliances built over decades are wildly destroyed, viewing all nations as enemies instead of trusting and verifying.

Which Federal Senate committee would you like to join?

JG: My highest aspiration is to join the Senate Judiciary Committee to clean up and open the confusing judicial systems that families must navigate today without any legal guidance.

What would you ask the Supreme Court nominees whom you would have to interview?

JG: I think I would lean toward a question related to ethics. I would ask whether or not they agree to submit to the same strict rules of transparency, discipline, and accountability that govern any local judge in the country.

“Es tiempo para que Colorado elija a una Senadora”

What would be the first bill you would introduce to be debated in the Senate?

JG: My priority would be to seek the complete elimination of private profit from healthcare services and to move decisively toward a universal healthcare system.

Chords and roots

Beyond the laws, Julie Gonzales’s profile is deeply tied to the heritage of the American Southwest. The daughter of Chicano parents with deep family roots in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico, Gonzales was born in Arizona and grew up on the Texas border, witnessing the face of migration firsthand.

She is a woman who finds refuge and relaxation in folk music, a passion inherited from her father and uncles, with whom she learned to play the guitar by ear before learning to read sheet music. She also learned to play the clarinet in school. “I used to play in a school mariachi band,” she said.

When reminded that her opponent, Senator Hickenlooper, is also a well-known player of stringed instruments, such as the banjo, the candidate did not hesitate to issue a very lighthearted and musical challenge.

What song would you propose playing together with Hickenlooper?

JG: It would have to be a classic American country music song. A piece by Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, or Dwight Yoakam. Sharing that stage with him would be a great experience.