Introducing: Colorado delegates

The Rocky

Published May 18, 2008 at 8:57 p.m.

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Five thousand die-hard Democrats will pack Denver's Pepsi Center Aug. 24 to witness history in the making.

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

The 79 competed against hundreds of fellow state party members for the honor of attending the four-day convention and nominating a presidential candidate.

Because a woman or a black man will be nominated - a historic "first" either way - winning a seat to the DNC was especially tough this year.

Today and the next two Mondays, the Rocky Mountain News will publish snapshots of Colorado's delegation to the DNC. The first installment includes delegates from Congressional Districts 1, 2, 6 and 7, who were elected in early May.

Next Monday, we'll focus on Districts 3, 4 and 5, which held their conventions Friday.

Later we'll look at Colorado's superdelegates and party leaders.

Congressional District 1

* Crisanta Duran

Age: 27

Occupation: Attorney at United Food and Commercial Workers No. 7, president of Colorado Young Democrats

City: Denver

Family: Single, sixth-generation Coloradan

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: Native

Greatest Colorado elected leader: Polly Baca

Supporting: Obama

How did you campaign to get picked as a delegate? "I did a mailing and passed out fliers at the congressional convention. The main reason was because of my work on the Obama campaign. I'm co-chair for Women for Obama; I introduced Caroline Kennedy at an Obama rally, recruited about 100 volunteers and housed some at my house . . ."

Dream ticket: Obama and John Edwards, or Obama and Bill Richardson.

First experience in politics: "When I was 15, I went to California to march for strawberry workers with the United Farm Workers of America. "

First person for whom you cast a vote: Gail Schoettler for governor

* Anthony Graves

Age: 31

Occupation: Product marketing manager for Sun Microsystems

City: Denver

Family: Engaged to be married in July

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: Native

Greatest elected leader: "There are a number I admire. Sen. Peter Groff, Mayor John Hickenlooper and former Mayor Wellington Webb."

Supporting: Die-hard Obama

How did you campaign?: "I tried to go to every House district in CD 1. I introduced myself and made a pledge: I said I'm committed to go back to each House district and give a presentation after the convention."

Dream ticket: Obama-Edwards, with Bill Richardson as secretary of state

First experience in politics: "I've wanted to attend the DNC since around age 13. In my family, it was something we would always watch growing up. Over time, I've grown to be a bit of a political junkie. Plus, I've always had an interest in history."

First vote: Bill Clinton

* Happy Haynes

Age: 55

Occupation: Assistant to Denver Public Schools superintendent Michael Bennet for community partnerships and former Denver City councilwoman

City: Denver

Family: Single, no children

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: 55

Greatest elected leader: Former Denver Board of Education member and University of Colorado Regent Rachel Noel

Supporting: Obama

How did you campaign?: "I sent a little postcard (to delegates). I invited people to meet me on the corner of 17th and York and ride their bicycles to the assembly with me."

Dream ticket: Obama-Edwards

First experience in politics: "I've been doing the literature drop stuff and attending caucuses with my parents since I was a little girl."

First presidential vote: George McGovern

* Daniel Kagan

Age: 55

Occupation: Director for a property company; former criminal defense attorney in Washington, D.C.

City: Englewood

Family: Wife, Faye and three children, Ben, 17, Samantha, 14 and Abbie, 10

Pets: Storm, a black lab; Monty, a bichon frise; and Cody, a dachshund

Years in Colorado: Less than one year; originally from Yorkshire, England and became a U.S. citizen in 1984.

Greatest elected leader: Mark Udall

Supporting: Clinton

How did you campaign?: "I wrote to every Clinton delegate and alternate at the congressional district convention, setting out why I would be a good national delegate. I said, 'I would work very hard to secure the nomination of Hillary Clinton and not treat the convention as an opportunity to booze and schmooze.' "

Dream ticket: Clinton-Obama

First experience in politics: Campaigned in 1971 for Harold Wilson, the Labour Party candidate for prime minister of Great Britain

First vote: The LabourParty candidate for Huddersfield West (Yorkshire)

* Awilda Marquez

Age: 58

Occupation: Attorney, currently director of the Department of Excise and Licensing

City: Denver

Family: Divorced, no children

Pets: Cat, Kushi, 16, and Asha, "my standard poodle who died, but still lives in my heart."

Years in Colorado: Born in Puerto Rico, brought up on the East Coast

Greatest elected leader: Roy Romer, and I believe Sen. Ken Salazar has also become an effective respresentative.

Supporting: Clinton

How did you campaign?: "I did mailings, made phone calls and most importantly, wore a big stovepipe hat with a picture of Hillary and the flag on it. They liked my hat."

Dream ticket: Clinton and Henry Cisneros

First experience in politics: Worked on the Dukakis campaign in 1988

First vote: George McGovern, 1972

* Seth Masket

Age: 39

Occupation: Professor of political science, University of Denver

City: Denver

Family: Wife, Vivian; two kids, Eli, 6 and Sadie, 3

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: Four

Greatest elected leader: Gov. Ralph Carr, governor during World War II

How did you campaign: "I showed up at the first congressional district convention with a bunch of fliers. Some of my former students passed out fliers and talked me up to the other delegates there."

Dream ticket: As long as Obama is on top . . . How about Franklin Roosevelt?

First experience in politics: Staffer on the 1992 Clinton-Gore campaign in New Jersey

First vote: Mike Dukakis, 1988

* Mark Thrun

Age: 39

Occupation: Physician

City: Denver

Family: Male partner, two children

Pets: Labrador retriever, Sedona

Years in Colorado: Eight

Greatest elected leader: Mayor Hickenlooper.

Supporting: Obama.

How did you campaign?: "I handed out fliers with my name and picture and personal information, sent e-mails to all my friends, solicited the support of Stonewall Democrats, and ran an ad in The Colorado Statesman."

Dream ticket: Obama- Richardson

First experience in politics: In high school, did volunteer work for Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio

Congressional District 2

* Odell Barry

Could not be reached for an interview.

* Shawn Coleman

Age: 30

Occupation: Sales and finance manager, Smooth Motors, Boulder

City: Boulder

Family: Single

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: Six

Greatest elected Colorado leader: John Hickenlooper

Supporting: Obama

How did you campaign? "Running for Boulder City Council in Boulder in 2007 helped my name recognition. I also volunteer for Boulder Obama Grassroots and was endorsed by them as a delegate. I also spoke for the Obama campaign at the Boulder County Convention. I think all that helped a lot."

Dream ticket: Obama-Edwards or Obama-Richardson

First experience in politics: Student body vice president at Bayside High School in Bayside, N.Y. Then interned for U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y.

First person for whom you cast a vote: Bill Clinton, 1996

* Richard "Dick" Gardner

Age: 80

Occupation: Retired business executive

City: Boulder

Family: Wife, Linda; five children; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: 31

Greatest elected leader: There are many. He's fairly new, but Bill Ritter is definitely right up there.

Supporting: Obama

How did you campaign?: "I went to the caucuses, the county assembly and the 2nd Congressional District assembly and convention. At the final meeting, I gave a 30-second, impromptu speech where I said, 'I first voted for Harry S Truman. This will be my 16th presidential election, and we have the best candidate we've ever had.' "

Dream ticket: Doesn't have one yet

First experience in politics: "I don't think I've ever worked in politics. My association with politics has been tangential to my life's work as well as my volunteer work."

First vote: Harry S Truman

* Sarah Kihm

Age: 20

Occupation: University of Colorado accounting major

City: Boulder

Family: Single; father, Robert, is a delegate from the 6th Congressional District

Pets: Cat, Mia; parakeet, Sky

Years in Colorado: Native

Greatest elected leader: Former Denver Mayor Federico Pena.

Supporting: Obama

How did you campaign?: "I'm the CU campus coordinator for Barack Obama, and I've been that since last August. Through organizing phone banks and voter registration drives and different events, you just begin to meet a lot of people who end up being delegates (at lower level assemblies) and they'll vote for you."

Dream ticket: Obama-U.S. Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia

First experience in politics: "I have been interested in it (politics) on and off. It's the first time that really things have just kind of clicked. It's a candidate I wholeheartedly support and fully believe in. Before, there has been no candidate who has motivated or inspired me like Barack has."

First presidential vote: Will be for Obama

* Sacha Millstone

Age: 49

Occupation: Investment adviser

City: Boulder

Family: Single

Pets: Mixed-breed cat, Phantom

Years in Colorado: Six

Greatest elected leader: Pat Schroeder

Supporting: Clinton

How did you campaign? "I kind of started the campaign and fundraising activities for Hillary in Boulder. So people really know me. They campaigned for me to be a delegate."

Dream ticket: Clinton-Obama

First experience in politics: In junior high school, giving out buttons and pamphlets and campaigning for Shirley Chisholm.

First presidential vote: Jimmy Carter, 1980

* Wendy Wilson (alternate)

Age: 34

Occupation: Regional manager, MOCA division (SUN Microsystems group) of ARROW Enterprise Computing Solutions Group - a high-end data center computer distribution corporation

City: Westminster

Family: Single

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: 34

Greatest elected leader: Emily Griffith

Supporting: Obama

How did you campaign? "I wrote a letter to all of the congressional delegates and alternates detailing my experience with the Barack Obama campaign in Ohio and Pennsylvania. And during the congressional convention and assembly, I walked around, introduced myself to as many people as possible and asked for their vote."

Dream ticket: Obama and someone who complements his leadership style and helps forward his vision for this country.

First experience in politics: Walking into the Barack Obama office in Denver five days before our caucus in February.

First vote: In 1992, it was a toss-up between Bill Clinton and Ross Perot. I don't remember whom I voted for.

* Jessica Wittmer

Age: 30

Occupation: Pharmacist

City: Boulder

Family: Single

Pets: Joli, an Austrian shepherd mix; and Sadie, a sheltie mix

Years in Colorado: Two

Greatest elected leader: David Skaggs

Supporting: Obama

How did you campaign? "I sent a mailing to all the Boulder County delegates and alternates, and I called some of them. On the day of the 2nd Congressional District Convention I worked the room and had friends hand out fliers. I was also endorsed by Boulder Grassroots for Obama."

Dream ticket: Obama-Edwards

First experience in politics: Last spring, getting together a group of 30 people who signed up on my.barackobama.com, to think of ways to support him.

First vote: Bill Clinton

Congressional District 6

* Joe Beaver

Age: 65

Occupation: Retired accountant; board president, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition; chairman, Democrats with Disabilities

City: Lakewood

Family: Single, three stepchildren

Pets: Dog, Bailey, mostly chocolate Lab

Years in Colorado: 36

Greatest elected leader: U.S. Rep. Mark Udall

Supporting: Obama

How did you campaign? "I pressed a lot of flesh, and I handed out a few fliers. Mainly I talked to people and asked for their support and emphasized to them that I want to represent the most under-represented minority in the nation, and that's people with disabilities."

Dream ticket: Obama-Edwards

First experience in politics: Campaign treasurer for Howard Morton when he was running for Jefferson County commissioner in 1990

First presidential vote: Lyndon Johnson

* Robert Kihm

Age: 53

City: Centennial

Occupation: CPA

Family: Married, two daughters; daughter Sarah is a delegate from the 2nd Congressional District.

Years in Colorado: 28

Greatest elected leader: Federico Pena

Supporting: Obama

How did you campaign?: "My argument was the Obama national delegates should be those who worked the hardest to get Barack Obama elected."

Dream ticket: Obama- U.S. Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia.

First experience in politcs: "I'm a political science graduate of the University of Utah. As part of that I did environmental organizing in Utah, in particular against something called the Kaiparowits power plant. That was in 1976."

First presidential vote: Jimmy Carter

* Paula Noonan

Age: 59

Occupation: Runs ColoradoCapitol Watch.com

City: Littleton

Family: Married, three children, three grandchildren

Pets: Bess, a corgi; California, Lab/corgi mix

Years in Colorado: 36 years

Greatest elected leader: Labor leader William D. "Big Bill" Haywood, who organized Colorado miners

Supporting: Obama

How did you campaign? "I didn't really campaign per se. I am the vice chair of Jeffco Dems, and I've been working real hard down in the south area. So I'm very well-known in South Jeffco."

Dream ticket: Obama and a woman

First experience in politics: "When I was 8, my dad had me handing out fliers for the local school board candidate that he was supporting."

First presidential vote: George McGovern, 1972

* John Petty

Age: 58

Occupation: Lutheran pastor

City: Aurora

Family: Married, four daughters

Pets: Cat, Zoe

Years in Colorado: 22

Greatest elected leader: "I would have a hard time picking one out."

Supporting: Clinton

How did you campaign? "I've been reasonably active in the Democratic Party for years, so I know a lot of people."

Dream ticket: Clinton-Obama

First experience in politics: As a "flunky" for the Robert F. Kennedy campaign in Kansas.

First presidential vote: Former Sen. George McGovern

Congressional District 7

* Saoirse Charis-Graves

Age: 56

Occupation: Retired Jefferson County school psychologist

City: Golden

Family: Single, one grown daughter

Pets: None

In Colorado: 46 years

Greatest elected leader: Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien, she was active in the Colorado Children's Campaign. Basically, as a school psychologist I admired and respected and looked up to her work. Children do not vote, and they have no money. They are the constituency without a voice in our culture.

Supporting: Die-hard Obama delegate

How did you campaign? "I've been working for Sen. Obama since he announced. I'm the county coordinator for Jeffco for Obama. So by building and strengthening a volunteer network, I came to be well- known. As a result, the volunteers I was working with wanted me to run and really wanted me to be elected. . . . I printed up some pads of notepaper . . . They had my name down at the bottom, had Sen. Obama's motto about respect and power. I gave those out . . ."

Dream ticket: Obama and an up-and-coming woman such as Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, or possibly Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano. Another possibility: U.S. Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia.

First experience in politics: This is

First presidential vote: George McGovern, 1972

* Allison Cotton

Could not be reached for an interview.

* Jere Kennedy

Age: 73

Occupation: Retired twice: once as U S West executive, then as designer of adaptive equipment for handicapped kids in Jefferson County Public Schools

City: Lakewood

Family: Married to Patricia 53 years; Four children (including one who was killed in 1997 in an accident); six grandchildren

Pets: None

In Colorado: 40 years

Greatest elected leader: Gov. Bill Ritter. "I'm very much in admiration of what he does and how he goes about doing it . . . He works with both sides, labor as well as business."

Supporting: Clinton

How did you campaign?: "I sent out a flier . . . with a little information about myself. In the (7th Congressional) District convention, they separated the Obama supporters from the Clinton supporters, and then they gave us each 10 seconds to make a comment about ourselves. I said, 'My name is Jere Kennedy. I'm preparing a bucket list. One of the main things on my bucket list is to live long enough to see a woman president of the United States.' And that was it. My 10 seconds was up. But it seemed to work."

Dream team: "I don't know who she would consider. I'm sure Obama would be one of the many. She has very close association with (retired Army Gen.) Wesley Clark, who I admire greatly."

First political experience: Worked on former U.S. Rep. David Skaggs' first congressional campaign in 1986, also volunteered in the Jefferson County Democratic Party office

First presidential vote: I voted for (Dwight) Eisenhower in 1956. I was 21 years old and eligible to vote, and I was at the age of being available for the draft, and I was very pleased with how he handled the Korean conflict. Then JFK ran after that, and with a similar name, I voted for him, and was very glad I did, and I've been a Democrat ever since.

* Dorian De Long

Age: 37

Occupation: Social studies teacher, Thornton High School

City: Arvada

Family: Married, 3-year-old daughter

Pets: Three Boston terriers, Sam, Mimi and Chubb

In Colorado: 30 years

Greatest elected leader: Former U.S. Sen. Tim Wirth for his stance on the environment . . . "Back in 1988, he was talking about global warming."

Supporting: Obama

How did you campaign? "I did not campaign to be a national delegate. I really wasn't aware of how hard people were working at campaigning until the week of the 7th Congressional District assembly. I was getting fliers in the mail and postcards, and at the convention people were introducing themselves and handing out monogrammed pens and buttons. I hadn't done any of that. But they allotted people 10 seconds to make a speech. I said, 'My name is Dorian De Long. I'm a social studies teacher. I'd like this opportunity to show my students that, yes, they can make a positive change in our democracy.' And that was it. Apparently that was effective."

Dream team: Obama-Edwards

First political experience: In high school in Colorado Springs, "a guy was running for the state legislature. I had a political science class at the time . . . He (the teacher) was offering bonus points for people who actively got involved. He even let us come to class late because we would go out mornings before school and put little hangers on doors."

First presidential vote: Bill Clinton in 1992

* Rebecca McClellan

Age: 42 when the convention begins

Occupation: City council member and mayor pro tem

City: Centennial

Family: Married 14 years in July; daughter, 10, son, 6

Pets: Boxer, Piper

Lived in Colorado: 11 years

Greatest elected leader: House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, "He has such a gift for keeping a sense of humor while getting serious work done."

Supporting: Clinton

How did you campaign? "I gave out granola bars (at the convention) because I knew the meeting would be long . . . I also had lanyards printed because I knew that their credentials had been mailed to them, but they had nothing to hang it around their neck with. My kids and my husband hit them up in the parking lot and said, 'Would you like a Hillary ribbon for your credentials?' "

Dream team: "If Hillary's on the ticket, I'm happy."

First political experience: "When I was in high school (in San Jose, Calif.,) my grandfather was a Republican precinct committeeman, and I actually volunteered at the local Republican headquarters when I was in high school. When I got to college . . . I realized that wasn't as good a fit for me as the Democratic Party. I guess (it was) a little like Hillary herself - she was a Goldwater girl and an active Young Republican.

First presidential vote: Ronald Reagan

* Marzette Bedford-Billinghurst

Age: 50

Occupation: Program analyst, U.S. Department of Labor

City: Greenwood Village

Family: Married; two sons, 14 and 16

Pets: None

In Colorado: 12 years

Greatest elected leader: State Rep. Joe Rice, he's a very decent person, and he's the first Democrat elected to that district since its inception.

Supporting: Obama

How did you campaign?: "I did a campaign mailing, and let me tell you, it made all the difference in the world . . . People had the opportunity to read about me, and they did it at their own leisure if they felt like it. When you got to the convention, everyone was throwing paper in your face. Also made calls and worked the crowd at the assembly."

Dream team: Obama and former boss, U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the house majority leader, or former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia, who chaired the Senate Armed Services Committee

First political experience: Working for California state Sen. Diane Watson just out of college, later worked in Congress.

First presidential vote: Jimmy Carter

* Monisha Merchant

Age: 31

Occupation: Product manager/engineer, Level 3 Communications

City: Lakewood

Family: Single, no children

Pets: None

In Colorado: Born and raised, but lived out of state for several years

Greatest elected leader: Former U.S. Rep. Pat Schroeder, former Gov. Roy Romer and former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb

Supporting: "I'm 200 percent for Hillary."

How did you campaign? Knew many people by working as Clinton volunteer, "I gave up all my nights and weekends."

Dream ticket: Clinton and former U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. of Tennessee, "he's so brilliant . . . They both have that insight."

First political experience: In 1986, helped hand out stickers for former U.S. Sen. Timothy Wirth of Colorado.

First presidential vote: Bill Clinton, 1996

* Carmine Iadarola

Age: 59

Occupation: Develops water, wind and solar projects

City: Littleton (Ken Caryl Ranch)

Family: Married 35 years; three children, ages 27, 23 and 17

Pets: None

In Colorado: 37 years

Greatest elected leader: Former Gov. Richard D. Lamm, "he's always been honest and straightforward, and he said some very unpopular things, but he believed in them, so I have a great deal of respect for him."

Supporting: Obama

How did you campaign? "I called every delegate (to the district assembly) and I asked them their opinion and their ideas and what was important to them. I probably spent 100 hours on the phone talking to every delegate who would talk to me."

Dream ticket: "Anybody who could beat McCain"

First political experience: As a fifth-grade delegate for John Kennedy in the school's mock convention, "I was the only Catholic" in the class.

First presidential vote: George McGovern

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