Marc Holtzman

I am firmly of the conviction that the person best qualified to hold public office will always be the candidate with the best combination of promising ideas, vision, enthusiasm and energy -- and not simply the one who has the most "time in grade." A fresh perspective is an enormous asset. The people of Colorado want a problem solver, not a professional politician, as their next governor -- and I have always been a problem solver. I also think it is important to remember that public service experience does not only come in the form of prior elective office. I take enormous pride in my tenure as Colorado's Secretary of Technology. Private sector experience is an asset that can prove enormously valuable to a public servant as well. The governor acts as the state's CEO, and this is an area where I will bring a great deal of experience.

I am not a candidate who will have different messages for different groups. I am who I am, and I hope people will agree that I possess the leadership skills, passion, integrity and ability to make Colorado proud.

Here are four issues that interest me the most that make me want to be the next Governor of Colorado:

1. First, Coloradans want a governor who will fight to protect our environment and quality of life. This means having a detailed plan on growth and preservation of our natural resources like water. Coloradans are deeply concerned about protecting our special quality of life. A lack of planning and leadership threatens the essence of what makes our home special. As governor, I will lead Colorado toward better alternatives and work for solutions that will protect our environment while respecting private property rights.
   
   
2. Second, the state of K-12 education needs much more work. While progress has been made during the past six years, a lot more needs to be done. I will elaborate further in the next several months, but for now let me state that we need to do more to put our children first. Measurement is good but improving the quality of our schools requires more than just teaching to a test. Teachers, those who struggle and sacrifice on the front line in this, the most noble of causes, deserve much more support and encouragement than we currently give.
   
   
3. Third, I want to work for even more quality job preservation and creation. Colorado is now part of a global economy. As governor, I will lead our efforts as Colorado's salesman-in- chief. There will be a strategy to help empower and support economic development in rural communities that may not have enjoyed the prosperity of the Front Range. As former Colorado Secretary of Technology, I take pride in having led Colorado to the number one ranking among the 50 states in the percentage of technology jobs per thousand. But more needs to be done on many fronts.
   
   
4. Fourth, the next governor will need to address the challenges posed to every Coloradan by rising health care costs and system wide inefficiencies while not giving an inch on quality. As governor, I will strive to alleviate the plight of Colorado's uninsured and to expand affordable coverage for everyone.