Meet the Colorado delegates

By Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 2, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Updated June 2, 2008 at 7:43 a.m.

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Photo by Marc Piscotty © The Rocky

Polly Baca

Bryan Gonzales

Erica Hixson

Julia Hicks

Jeff Hart

Jay Barry

Morgan Carroll

Dunbar "Danny" Watson

Jonathan Singer

James Tucker

Odell Barry

Susie McMahon

Gordon Williams

Jackie St. Joan

More Delegates and Volunteers

More stories »

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story wrongly identified Polly Baca, an at-large delegate to the Democratic National Convention in a photo. The error was corrected.

Come August, 5,000 Democrats will pack Denver's Pepsi Center to nominate a presidential candidate.

Among them will be 70 Coloradans who will serve as delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention, as well as nine alternates.

Today is the third in a series of snapshots of the delegates.

Still to come: the Democratic superdelegates.

At-large delegates

* Polly Baca

Age: 67

Occupation: President and CEO of Latin American Research and Service Agency

City: Denver

Family: Two grown children, Monica Perez and Miguel Barragan, and two grandchildren

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: Native; my family has been in Colorado since 1600.

Leader you most admire: I'm in awe of anyone who runs for office.

Supporting: Hillary Clinton

First time as a national delegate? I've been at every national convention since 1964. In 1964 I was a guest. In 1968 I was a Kennedy staffer and I got guest passes. In 1972 I was on the staff at the convention, in charge of all Hispanic activities. In 1976 I was an alternate from Colorado. In 1980 and again in 1984 I was one of the four convention co-chairs. In 1988 I was a superdelegate as vice chair of the national Democratic Party. In 1992 and 1996 I was a Clinton delegate. In 2000 I was a guest. In 2004 I was a Kerry alternate. I remember thinking at the time, "This probably is my last one. I've been doing this for 40 years." But then they decided to come to Denver.

How did you campaign this year? Why do you think you were picked? I didn't campaign. I felt a little too old to be campaigning, and I thought, "If I make it, I make it." I was stunned when they told me I did. I'm really pleased.

Dream ticket: Clinton and Barack Obama

First political experience: In 1960, I won a student internship to work with the Colorado Democratic Party. I was a sophomore in college and the assumption was it would go to a senior. But our Young Democrats' mock presidential nominating convention I helped organize was so much better than the Young Republicans' that my professors said they would help me get the internship. It really changed my life.

First presidential vote: Lyndon Johnson in 1964

* Bryan Gonzales

Age: 43

Occupation: Real estate broker

City: Basalt

Family: Single

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: 20 - moved here from California.

Leader you most admire: I don't know.

Supporting: Clinton

First time as a national delegate? Yes

How did you campaign? Why do you think you were picked? At the 2nd Congressional District convention, six of seven seats went to someone from Boulder. Afterward, Kim Doyle Wille put together the Coalition of Mountain and Rural Counties. At the state convention she put together a flier and she said to vote for these mountain and rural folks, but she accidentally left my name off it. I thought, "Well, I was hoping to go all the way, but this still is an amazing experience." Kim felt really bad about it and she told me to go talk to people. So I did. No costumes. No fliers. No gimmicks. It's a miracle, really.

Dream ticket: Clinton-Obama. It's a hands-down winner. There is no way that ticket could lose to any Republican.

First political experience: Running for student body president in eighth grade in Danville, Calif.

First presidential vote: I really hate to admit it but it was for Ronald Reagan in 1980. It's so embarrassing at this point, but everyone voted for Reagan that year.

* Jeff Hart

Age: 53

Occupation: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

City: Denver

Family: Wife, Roxanna

Pets: No. I travel too much.

Years in Colorado: Moved here in 1959 when I was 4.

Leader you most admire: Former Gov. Roy Romer, not just because he was a great governor, but because of what he did when he left and he went to work as the Los Angeles school superintendent. He demonstrated what many of us already knew: He cares about kids and education and wants to make a difference.

Supporting: Barack Obama

First time as a national delegate? Yes

How did you campaign? Why do you think you were picked? I treated it like a campaign. I did direct mail and fliers and signs and T-shirts. I made as many phone calls as I could. They ran out of ballots at the state convention and had to come up with makeshift ballots. I stayed until the last person completed their ballot and introduced myself and asked for their vote. I was told I got a lot of votes from those final ballots.

Dream ticket: I couldn't pick one.

First political experience: None prior to the late 1990s because of the Hatch Act (which regulates federal employees and political activities). After it was amended, I started getting involved. I went door to door with Michael Carriagan in his race for University of Colorado regent.

First presidential vote: Jimmy Carter in 1976

* Julia Hicks

Age: 59

Occupation: Retired college professor

City: Everybody thinks I'm from Denver because I'm black, but I'm from Westminster.

Family: Husband, Butch, and four grown children: Todd, Tamiko, Maya and Kizzy. I named Kizzy after the character in the mini-series Roots.

Pets: I have eight grandkids; I don't need pets.

Years in Colorado: Since 1992 - moved here from California.

Leader you most admire: Former state Sen. Arie Taylor. I loved her. She was a fantastic lady. She would cuss you out and hug you at the same time.

Supporting: I'm one of those old black women for Obama.

First time as a national delegate? Lord no. I've been going to them every year since 1968. In '68, I was tearing up Chicago as a protester. I've been a delegate ever since 1972.

How did you campaign this year? Why do you think you were picked? Campaign? For this? I'm the former vice chair of the Colorado Democratic Party. I wear crazy clothes and everyone around the state knows who I am.

Dream ticket: Obama and John Edwards

First political experience: When I was 12 years old, I walked the segregated South for JFK with my grandfather.

First presidential vote: George McGovern in 1972

* Erica Hixson

Age: 19

Occupation: Waitress at a golf course this summer, student at Colorado State University

City: Thornton

Family: Single

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: Native

Leader you most admire: Rep. Judy Solano, D-Brighton. I like what she has to say.

Supporting: Obama

First time as a national delegate? Yes

How did you campaign? Why do you think you were picked? My aunt, Jillane Hixson, is a very strong Democrat who guided me through this whole thing. We booked a room at the Doubletree (in Colorado Springs) months ago and when people were in line registering (for the state convention) we spent hours talking to them and passing out Mardi Gras beads. Same the next day at the World Arena. I spent hours walking in those heels. I think people really wanted youth to be represented.

Dream ticket: Obama and John Edwards

First political experience: This

First presidential vote: It will be for Obama in November.

* Sonya Jaquez Lewis

Age: 51

Occupation: Pharmacist

City: Unincorporated Boulder County

Family:Â Allison, my partner, who is a studentÂ at Denver School of Nursing

Pets: Four horses; a dalmation, Chica; and two cats, Anjou and Fenestra

Years in Colorado:Â My family is one of the original San Luis Valley "Hispano" families

Leader you most admire: University of Colorado Regent Cindy Carlisle, of Boulder

Supporting: Clinton

First time as a national delegate? Yes. And my mother, Georgia Jaquez Lewis, is a delegate from North Carolina, and this is going to be her last convention. She's 76.

How did you campaign? Why do you think you were picked? I participated in a White House project training, "How to Become a National Delegate," which was incredibly helpful.Â I designed my campaign plan with banners, postcards, letters, fliers and the now famous large purple cowboy hat. I also worked hard for the StoneWall Democrats and Colorado Latino Initiative endorsement.Â

Dream ticket: Clinton-Obama

First political experience: I was the first woman to run for student body president at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1978. I also was a campaign coordinator for U.S. senatorial candidate Harvey Gantt when he almost beat the infamous Republican Jesse Helms.

First presidential vote: Jimmy Carter

* Susie McMahon

Age: 41

Occupation: Owner of Parker Pilates and Wellness Center

City: Parker

Family: Husband, Jeff Carter; sons, Paul, 8, James, 6, and Sean, 4

Pets: Golden retriever, Dillon

Years in Colorado: 10 - moved here from Atlanta.

Leader you most admire: U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Golden

Supporting: Obama

First time as a national delegate? Yes

How did you campaign? Why do you think you were picked? I produced an educational flier, organized supporters to distribute materials throughout the World Arena, hosted a Get Fired Up mixer for all Obama supporters prior to the state convention and attended delegate meetings throughout the metro area. I believe I was elected because of my long track record of working for the Obama campaign . . . and within Douglas County.

Dream ticket: Obama and his choice for vice president

First political experience: As a second-grader, I met Jimmy Carter when he was the governor of Georgia.

First presidential vote: Bill Clinton in 1992

* Jonathan Singer

Age: 28

Occupation: Social worker with child protection services for Boulder County

City: Longmont

Family: Wife, Allison Barrett. Our wedding officiant was 2004 Senate candidate Mike Miles.

Pets: No

Years in Colorado: Moved here in 1993 from Boston.

Leader you most admire: Rep. John Kefalas, D-Fort Collins. He always stands up for the little guy.

Supporting: Obama

First time as a national delegate? I was a delegate for Dennis Kucinich in Boston in 2004.

How did you campaign this year? Why do you think you were picked? It's kind of a strange story. My main goal was to show people how to be a national delegate because I had so many people asking me how I did it in 2004. I wasn't even a Democrat until 2004. I spent a lot of time helping people this year. And although I didn't work as hard as I did in 2004, I talked to a lot of people.

Dream ticket: I don't have a name for you, but I want someone with solid foreign policy and military experience.

First political experience: I was 5 and I can remember my dad allowing me to pull the lever as he was voting. I don't even know what election it was.

First presidential vote: I was unaffilated in 2000, but I joined the Republican Party so I could vote for John McCain in the primary. I was impressed with his campaign finance reforms. Boy, I'll never drink that Kool-Aid again. I ended up voting for Ralph Nader, which is another story.

* Jackie St. Joan

Age: 62

Occupation: Child-advocate lawyer, writer

City: Denver

Family: Two grown children, Chris Bryson and Dana Bryson, and two granddaughters

Pets: Three cats

Years in Colorado: I moved here in 1971 from Brooklyn.

Leader you most admire: Probably former Republican Gov. Ralph Carr. I think he was the bravest for sticking up for Japanese-Americans. Were he alive today, he'd have to be a Democrat because the Republican Party has abandoned people of principle like Ralph Carr.

Supporting: Obama

First time as a national delegate? Yes

How did you campaign? Why do you think you were picked? I basically have been a workhorse in the Obama campaign and I let people know that. People admire someone who has proved their commitment. I went to Iowa and helped with the caucus there.

Dream ticket: I trust him to make that choice.

First political experience: I campaigned for John Kennedy in 1960 when I was a teenager. I wore my Catholic school uniform and handed out fliers on the street.

First presidential vote: I would have supported Eugene McCarthy, I'm sure, and then voted for the nominee, Hubert Humphrey, in 1968.

* James Tucker

Age: 57

Occupation: Founder and publisher of African- American Voice newspaper; retired teacher; retired staff sergeant with the Colorado National Guard and a disabled veteran

City: Colorado Springs

Family: Single parent, with a disabled son who is 33 and autistic.

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: I moved here in 1974 because I was in the military.

Leader you most admire: I have a lot of them, but each year at Juneteenth in Colorado Springs we honor people who have made a difference. This year we had two honorary co-chairs, Mary Lou Makepeace and Edna Wilson Mosley. Mary Lou was the first female mayor of Colorado Springs, and Edna was the first African-American to be elected to the Aurora City Council. Both are tremendous women.

Supporting: Obama

First time as a national delegate? Yes

How did you campaign? Why do you think you were picked? I was creative. I created oversize posters for the convention, and I created a bookmark that people could keep. It had my qualifications on it, and people are looking for those kinds of qualifications.

Dream ticket: I think Obama has to take his time and really find a good running mate.

First political experience: When I was in college in Mississippi we were denied our right to vote in 1972. We had to sue the county to be able to vote. We set a precedent to make it possible for college students to vote in the community where they live. From that I learned that the system works if you're dedicated and committed to being involved.

First presidential vote: Carter in 1976

* Dunbar "Danny" Watson

Age: 48

Occupation: College admissions representative at Cambridge College in Aurora

City: Thornton

Family: Single, son Alex, 16

Pets: No

Years in Colorado: 19 years - moved here after college.

Leader you most admire: Former Gov. Roy Romer

Supporting: Obama

First time as a national delegate? Yes

How did you campaign? Why do you think you were picked? I missed the county assembly because it was my mother's twin's funeral, but when I got to the congressional convention and the state convention I told people about the years I spent working for the party and how I was for Obama from the start. I was the last person to leave the state convention. I was talking to people as they were voting.

Dream ticket: Obama and Edwards

First political experience: My dad used to be a member of the NAACP, and I used to go with him to marches and meetings. This was in the '60s in Ohio.

First presidential vote: Carter in 1980 when he ran against Reagan

* Gordon Williams

Age: 59

Occupation: Attorney

City: Lakewood

Family: Wife, Christine Bentson; four grown children

Pets: Two cats

Years in Colorado: Native

Leader you most admire: Former U.S. Sen. Tim Wirth, both for his accomplishments while in office and those since leaving Congress

Supporting: Clinton

First time as a national delegate? Yes

How did you campaign? Why do you think you were picked? I think I was appreciated for my many years in Jefferson County trying to build the party from the grass-roots up. Also, I do a lot of Social Security disability work and I represent a lot of people with no health insurance. I think people appreciated my commitment to Hillary's health care plan.

Dream ticket: Clinton and Obama - can't beat it.

First political experience: It was at the University of Colorado back in 1968 or so when I was president of the university Republicans. Then I grew up and got smart.

First presidential vote: I don't remember.

At-large alternates

* Jay Barry

Age: 25

City: Westminster

Supporting: Obama

* Rep. Morgan Carroll

Age: 36

City: Aurora

Supporting: Obama

2nd Congressional District

The following delegate was unavailable when other profiles ran:

* Odell Barry

Age: 66

Occupation: Realtor

City: Westminster

Family: Wife, Glenda; two grown children, Jay and Damon Odell; three grandchildren

Pets: No

Years in Colorado: I came here in 1964 to play for the Denver Broncos.

Leader you most admire: Former Lt. Gov. George Brown, who nurtured me in politics. (Brown, who served with Gov. Dick Lamm in the 1970s, was the first black lieutenant governor nationwide.)

Supporting: Clinton

First time as a national delegate? No, delegate in '76, '80, '84, '88, '92 and '96.

How did you campaign? Why do you think you were picked? I've been around a long time. When you get that many people running, name recognition means something.

Dream ticket: I'll leave that up to the powers that be. I just want a Democrat in the White House.

First political experience: I ran for Northglenn City Council in 1972. I eventually became mayor.

First presidential vote: Humphrey in 1968

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