Kitchen Table 2026 Endorsements

U.S. Senate: Julie Gonzales

- Ryan Price

Once upon a time, the United States Senate was the envy of governments around the world. It was deliberative, thoughtful, and saw itself as the most effective guard of freedom. Without going through the many reasons why, the senate, let’s say, did not always live up to that reputation. But, it was arguable that it was a powerful body that did try to work on behalf of the people. Today, no one can seriously make that argument because it is not a serious place. It is a club of spineless sycophants. They are not on your side. 

So when we at Kitchen Table looked at this race, we wanted to see three things from our chosen candidate:

1. Demonstrated knowledge of the law they oversee. 

2. Experience bringing competing sides together to pass legislation. 

3. Leadership that reflects the voices of regular people.

When we looked at this race, there was no question. Julie Gonzales is the best person for the job. In two terms, she has accomplished everything you want to see from a senator. Justice reform, abortion protection, immigrant protections, and in her spare time, she took down Wyatt’s Towing. 

The Colorado Senate may seem like a unified whole, but taking a glance at a few local news articles will show a fractured group with many competing interests that she has brought together on more than one occasion to build a future that we can count on. She does this through clever legislation and powerful arguments. Julie Gonzales builds while others would give up. And, somehow in the midst of all that she remains a champion of the people who count on her the most. We are proud to endorse Julie Gonzales who isn’t just your Senadora. She will be your friend in Congress making sure you have a future to believe in. 

Colorado Governor: Phil Weiser

- Alexander Johansson

Phil Weiser knows what it means to stand up to authoritarianism. As the son of a Holocaust survivor, the dangers of unchecked power are deeply personal to him. He has carried that perspective into his career in public service, consistently fighting to protect the rights and freedoms of the people of Colorado.

As Colorado’s Attorney General, Phil Weiser has built a record of standing up for workers and communities across the state. He has taken on powerful corporations that exploit Coloradans, fought to lower the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs, and worked to hold companies accountable for deceptive and anti-competitive practices. He has also been a leader in protecting our environment, defending Colorado’s clean air and water against harmful rollbacks.

Weiser has not hesitated to challenge federal overreach when it threatens the rights of Coloradans. He has joined multistate efforts to defend access to healthcare, protect immigrants and Dreamers, and uphold the rule of law when it has been tested. At every turn, he has shown a willingness to stand up to powerful interests, no matter who occupies the White House, when the stakes are too high to stay silent.

At the same time, Phil has focused on making Colorado safer and more just. He has worked to address the opioid crisis, strengthen consumer protections, and support commonsense public safety reforms that balance accountability with fairness.

Phil Weiser leads with principle, courage, and a deep commitment to justice. He has proven that he will stand up for Colorado when it matters most; and that’s why Kitchen Table is proud to endorse him for Governor of Colorado.

Attorney General: Hetal Doshi

- Ryan Price

The position of Attorney General is easy to miss. Lawyers are a strange group of people managing the complexity and nonsense that is our legal system. Not all of us get what they do, but the state’s lawyers are our first and fastest defense against the federal government dismantling our futures and ruining the foundations we have built here in Colorado. They know the ins and outs of the system and the Attorney General is the person who makes the call on which fights to take and leads us to win them in court. 

That’s why when we in Kitchen Table discussed who wanted to endorse for this position, we wanted to see three things from our chosen candidate:

1. Hands-on experience winning at trial.

2. Deep understanding of how the Department of Justice (DOJ) will attack us.

3. A clear plan to protect Coloradans.

To put it plainly, the Attorney General needs to have been-there-done-that in front of a judge, know what tricks Trump’s mob lawyers will use, and have a plan to deal with that and more. 

After looking at all the candidates in detail, we believe and strongly endorse Hetal Doshi to be the Democratic candidate for Attorney General. She has 20 years of experience working in federal law taking on and beating the same corporate interests that work for the benefit of Trump. Hetal has intimate knowledge of the DOJ and knows what Colorado needs to have in order to fight against it in and out of court. 

From breaking down monopolies to protecting bodily autonomy, Hetal has not only taken a stand for us here in Colorado, she is the most prepared to make good on her words. She knows this office is not a stepping stone or a prize to be won. It is a critical part of protecting and advancing the futures of Coloradans. 

Secretary of State: Amanda Gonzalez

-Olivia Miller

As our recent elections have come under attack, from both inside and outside of our state, the position of Secretary of State has become increasingly important. Colorado has an incredibly inclusive voting system predicated on everyone receiving mail in ballots, and we need a fighter to protect what we have built. This is why we are endorsing Amanda Gonzalez for Colorado’s Secretary of State. 

Amanda presently holds the position of Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder, making her the most qualified candidate in the race. She has experience running large scale elections and upholding election law. Amanda has walked the walk by expanding ballot access for eligible voters in Colorado jails, expanding drop box access, and requiring Spanish translations on ballots. 

Before she was elected to the office of Clerk and Recorder, Gonzalez was the executive director of Colorado Common Cause. As part of this role she helped draft the legislation that created Colorado’s independent redistricting commission. This long history of fighting for voters is why Kitchen Table is standing behind Amanda Gonzalez. 

If elected, Gonzalez will be the first Latina and first openly LGBTQ person to hold the seat of Secretary of State. It is also worth noting that she has excellent taste in eye wear and has fabulous music taste which frankly is something we need more of in this world. 

Congressional District 1: Melat Kiros

- Olivia Miller

The last time CD1 elected a new representative the year was 1997, Clinton was president, I was in 1st grade, and Google had not yet been invented. 28 years is a long time to hold any position, let alone a seat in congress. It is this author’s opinion that our representation should change over time as our state changes. 

Melat Kiros represents the change that we need to see. As costs rise and the infighting in Washington D.C. creates stagnation, Melat has stayed focused on her bold, people first, Kitchen Table agenda. Kiros stands for medicare for all, universal childcare, and a housing first agenda. Rather than accepting money from corporate PACs she is supported by a grassroots movement and stands for an arms embargo on Israel. 

Kiros is an attorney, who comes from a hardworking immigrant family. She received nearly twice as many votes at the State Assembly as the current 28 year incumbent, and has been endorsed by progressives across the city including the Democratic Socialists. We desperately need change in Congress, and Melat Kiros is the type of change we need. 

P.S. I have heard that if you do a volunteer shift you can get cool merch that says “Hot Girls for Melat”. I am wondering if an endorsement counts towards this as well. Asking for a friend.

Colorado House District 5: Sterling Simms

- Alexander Johansson

Sterling Simms is a leader who understands what it means to serve. A Marine, a progressive young Democrat, and a dedicated community advocate, he represents the fresh perspective Colorado needs in the State House. He is a fighter for progressive values; championing bold reforms like a graduated state income tax, YIMBY housing expansion, the abolition of TABOR, and standing up for our rights in the face of federal overreach. He brings practical, forward-thinking ideas to address affordability; including establishing a public bank to expand access to credit for those underserved by large Wall Street banks.

Sterling also knows how to get things done. Through his work in Mayor Johnston’s office, he has built strong relationships with city and state leaders and gained firsthand experience navigating local government to deliver real results. 

Sterling didn’t grow up in Denver, and he doesn’t pretend otherwise. Like so many who now call this city home, he chose Denver because he saw its promise and opportunity; and believed he could make a meaningful difference for the people who call this city home. He has earned the trust of his community through action, whether helping secure funding for parks and infrastructure or rolling up his sleeves to clean up trash along Colfax. There’s no job too big or too small for him to take on.

He leads with purpose, shows up for his community, and is always willing to go the extra mile. That’s why Kitchen Table is proud to endorse Sterling Simms for House District 5.