Senate District 25: Sampson pushes to get people back to work, update water policy

BRIGHTON — John Sampson is running for state Senate District 25 because he is concerned about the future of the state.

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John Sampson

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“I am running not out of personal ambition, but rather out of a deep-seated concern for the direction of which the state is going and a concern for our children and grandchildren’s future – the future generations of Colorado," Sampson said.

A self-described “constitutional conservative,” Sampson has worked in federal law enforcement for 27 years before retiring in 2008. He was born and raised in New York, earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Long Island University in 1975 and moved to Colorado in 1985. He is a veteran of the armed forces and served in a port security unit for the U.S. Coast Guard reserves during the first Gulf War.

Sampson now runs his own consulting firm specializing in immigration fraud issues. He currently lives with his wife, Teri, in Strasburg, has a son, step-daughter and two grandchildren.

Among Sampson’s concerns are the economy and jobs, education and water resource issues.

“Adams County has if not the highest, one of the highest unemployment rates in the state of Colorado and we need to do something about it in order to ensure people are back to work and become productive members of society,” he said.

He would like to promote small businesses by reducing the amount of burden by intrusion of the government and some regulations. He said there needs to be a level of regulation but not over-regulation.

Sampson would like to give parents the choice to send their students to a school of their choice to ensure that they have the best possible education. He also would like to address the issue of colleges giving reduced tuition rates to those individuals who are undocumented.    

Sampson is also concerned about water resource issues, as the population is expected to double by 2050.

“We need to ensure we implement water storage policies, whether it be reservoirs, dams, or what-have-you to ensure  that we have the natural resources that are needed to provide water for our citizens; our residents,” he said.

Sampson said he believes there are way too many elected officials who, once they get into office, forget how they got there and who voted for them. He said the one thing he’s never forgotten during his years of public service in the military and law enforcement was that he works for the people in the state of Colorado; the U.S.

He said he’s “a very pragmatic, common sense type individual” who would bring a fresh approach to governing. If elected, he would like to have an open door policy and wants to hear from everybody.

“I think that I would bring a fresh approach to legislation and governing,” he said. “I have strong leadership skills that were developed both in the civilian law enforcement and the military service that I’ve provided to this country. I’m a firm believer in the Constitution — it says what it means and means what it says.”