March 23, 2012 11:52 PM UTC

Buckner Enters HD-40 Race

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• by: Colorado Pols

State Representative Cindy Acree‘s re-election bid just got that much tougher. Her 2010 opponent (and failed Aurora City Council candidate) P.K. Kaiser was itching for a rematch in 2012, and while the district has taken on a competitive edge from reapportionment, Acree would’ve likely handily dispatched with Kaiser – he’s lost two different races in two different years, after all.

With this week’s announcement that John Buckner has entered the Democratic primary, however, Acre has better start raising some money, and quick.

From the Buckner for Colorado campaign:

Aurora, CO – Retired Cherry Creek Schools principal John Buckner today announced his Democratic candidacy for Colorado State House, District 40.

“Aurora families need a voice in the state legislature who will represent their values and speak up for their concerns,” said Buckner. “My commitment is to always be accountable to the citizens, and work to make Aurora and all of Colorado a great place to live.”

Buckner is building his campaign around a platform of reducing partisan gridlock in state government and building partnerships to solve the problems everyday Coloradans are facing.

“State government needs to help our economy’s recovery by making sure Colorado tax dollars are being invested in creating Colorado jobs,” said Buckner. “We need to invest in innovative, cutting edge schools with state-of-the-art classrooms so our kids are prepared to compete in the global economy. As a retired principal, father, and grandfather, I know firsthand that our state’s economic revival depends on our commitment to successful schools.”

Endorsing Buckner’s candidacy are House Democratic Caucus Leader Mark Ferrandino and State Reps. Nancy Todd, Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, Lois Court, Su Ryden, Dan Pabon, Rhonda Fields, Daniel Kagan, Claire Levy, and Angela Williams. State Sens. Morgan Carroll and Pat Steadman, along with former State House Speaker Terrance Carroll, are supporting Buckner’s candidacy as well.

Buckner retired after nearly forty years working for Cherry Creek School District, which included serving as House Principal at Laredo Middle School and Smoky Hill High School and Principal at Overland High School. The gymnasium at Overland High School has been named in his honor. John Buckner completed his career in the Cherry Creek School District as Executive Director for Excellence and Equity.

Buckner has also served as a board member for the Colorado Institute for Educational Inquiry, a member of the Multi-Cultural Task Force for Cherry Creek Schools, and board member of the Colorado State Board of Education’s Principal and Administrator Standards Board. John has attended the Harvard University Principal Leadership Academy and has participated on the Aurora Leadership Board of the Chamber of Commerce.

Buckner and his wife Janet have been married since 1969, and have lived in Aurora, Colorado since 1975, raising their adult children, son Jay, and twin daughters, Joy and Jennifer. A former speech and language therapist, Janet retired from a successful career in medical services.

Buckner should sail through the primary (if area Democrats are actually interesting in winning the seat) and will absolutely be a threat to Acree in the general election. He’s got built in area name ID from his tenure as principal of Overland High School and we have to assume he’s pretty well-liked by virtue of the fact that Overland’s gymnasium bears his name.

The eventual Buckner-Acree race is a good example of the inroads back to the majority that reapportionment gave Mark Ferrandino and company. Acree’s re-election bid would never have drawn a credible challenger if the lines didn’t change. Since those lines have changed, it just takes a candidate with a history in the area to put the seat into play.