Colorado House of Representatives District 3 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Colorado, 2022

---

On the ballot: U.S. Senate • U.S. House • Governor • State executive offices • State Senate • State House • Appellate courts • State ballot measures • Local ballot measures • Municipal • Recalls

This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Colorado House of Representatives District 3 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Colorado House of Representatives District 3

Incumbent Meg Froelich defeated Marla Fernandez and Clayton Casciato in the general election for Colorado House of Representatives District 3 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Meg Froelich (D)	66.0	21,957
		Marla Fernandez (R)	31.8	10,570
	Submit photo	Clayton Casciato (L)	2.3	757

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 33,284
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Dino Maniatis (Independent)

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Marla Fernandez (R)

The Constitution is the Solution!

Literacy and morals matter if you want to stay free.

God is key to American liberty

Meg Froelich (D)

Climate change is real and we need to take bold, actionable, and measurable steps to address this crisis. In addition, all Coloradans deserve clean air, land and water. Environmental work needs to be centered in environmental justice.

Colorado's workers and families should be able to count on access to housing, food, public education, opportunities for advancement, and healthcare. Mental Health should be treated on a par with physical health. Reproductive Healthcare is healthcare and that includes the full range of reproductive services including abortion.

We must work towards equity and inclusion in everything we do. We must seek to dismantle systemic racism, sexism and homophobia.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Marla Fernandez (R)

I’m passionate about literacy and parental rights.

I love the entire constitution and our biblical principles in the natural law.

I’m passionate about energy and the economy and if elected I will introduce legislation that buys back gold and silver coins.

If elected I want to help sponsor the parents bill of rights and a tax credit for children leaving school system.

I would extend the term limits to 4 yrs for house but only be allowed to run 2 times.

I would repeal the sex education bill and the abortion bill.

Meg Froelich (D)

I am passionate about gender equality - ensuring equal wages, reproductive rights, workplace safety.

I am passionate about combatting climate change and working to preserve and protect Colorado's air, land and water.

I am passionate about equity and inclusion. I commit to addressing systemic racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and sexism.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Marla Fernandez (R)

I look up to the Holy Family and I want to follow Jesus and Mary’s example because they were perfect humans.

Meg Froelich (D)

I stand on the shoulders of many powerful women who I admire. My favorites are Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Barbara Jordan, and Sarah Weddington. Those women and many more fought difficult battles in male dominated arenas.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Marla Fernandez (R)

I have lots of books but one should read St Thomas Aquinas Suma Theologica, John Locke, St Augustine City of God, the Natural Law by Aquinas, law, morality and justice by Aquinas, and the constitution, Declaration of Independence, the federalists papers

And watch the entire series of The Constitution is the Solution https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU16omkJffq4auEcsaU1GdAL0TNyUndS6

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Marla Fernandez (R)

Highly literate and moral elected officials.

They should know and understand the Natural Law, John Locke and Thomas Aquinas as the foundation.

They should have read both the federalists and anti federalists papers and understand Americanism.

They should know the Declaration of Independence in its entirety.

They should read the Bible even if they don’t believe in God. The Bible is the source of our moral code.

Meg Froelich (D)

Integrity and authenticity.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Marla Fernandez (R)

I have strong communication skills— oral and written skills.

I am a thought leader and inclusive as well as positive.

And I’m a life-long learner. I am a legal geek. I read many books.

I love debating and discussing ideas with my colleagues. And I am a problem solver.

Meg Froelich (D)

Empathy.

Integrity.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Marla Fernandez (R)

Upholding and defending the constitution first and then listening to each individual voter who was able to vote. And not make laws that the voters don’t have unanimous consent

Meg Froelich (D)

Elected officials need to vote their conscience and their district. We have a responsibility to be transparent about our core values and beliefs and then legislate accordingly.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Marla Fernandez (R)

I want leave my son in a free country like the one my parents found refuge.

I want my son to know that you must participate in politics not just vote at the ballot.

Liberty is frail.

You need to fight for it.

Government can not usurp individual rights for the collective.

Meg Froelich (D)

If I do nothing else I feel that ensuring pregnant people in Colorado have the right to access the full range of reproductive healthcare including abortion through our Reproductive Health Equity Act is an important legacy.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Marla Fernandez (R)

I remember when Reagan was elected president. On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger (OV-099) exploded 73 seconds into its flight, killing all seven crew members, becoming the first known American space disaster. Watch How Many Rockets Have Nasa Launched Video About Us

Meg Froelich (D)

As an historical documentary filmmaker it is hard for me to say what I remember because I have watched so many hours of original footage. I do remember watching the moon landing in 1969 when I must have been about 6 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Marla Fernandez (R)

I was an independent contractor for Carico International. I sold fine stainless steel cookware, water filtration system, promoting environmental health and education as well as sold fine crystals and China and silverware.

I loved learning about contaminated water and air. I held for 2 years.

Meg Froelich (D)

During high school I worked on Capitol Hill in a Congressional office my Junior year.

I worked as a babysitter, nanny and summer school teacher's aide as well as a lifeguard to earn money.

My first job out of college was as a Secondary School Social Studies teacher.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Marla Fernandez (R)

I have too many but the Constitution.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Marla Fernandez (R)

Picachu

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Marla Fernandez (R)

We don’t talk about Bruno

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Marla Fernandez (R)

It took me years after college to gain the wisdom and understanding to use my knowledge.

I had to pay the price of learning to reading well.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Marla Fernandez (R)

The ideal relationship is one where the Governor is upholding the constitution and being a check on Congress. Influencing legislators to protect life, liberty and property and ensuring laws don’t deprive life, liberty and property without due process and equal protection.

Meg Froelich (D)

Obviously, we need the Governor to sign our bills and so it is appropriate that we work with the Governor's office as legislation moves through the Legislature. However, the Legislature is the law-making arm of our government and we have a duty to set policy and craft our laws.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Marla Fernandez (R)

The economy, homelessness, education, energy, mental health, and crime.

Meg Froelich (D)

Both the climate crisis and our social inequities - economic, racial, justice - which are interrelated, pose the greatest challenges to Colorado.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Marla Fernandez (R)

The drawback is that we would not have a strong constitutional check and balance on power. The purpose of government is to protect life, liberty and property.

Bicameral means the senate can check and balance the house.

Without a check and balance, legislators will pass laws that may be unconstitutional.

Corruption would be high.

Meg Froelich (D)

Åre there unicameral state legislatures? I like our current system.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Marla Fernandez (R)

No. But it would be beneficial if legislators would be 100% literate and had a moral compass. It would be beneficial if legislators read the Bible for moral support on behavior.

Meg Froelich (D)

No, I think the most important qualifications for legislators are their life experiences and that our government should look like our people. We need all ages, identities, faith traditions, and areas of previous employment.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Marla Fernandez (R)

Yes. Everyone whether republican or democrat should build relationships with constituents and really listen. And not make laws that don’t balance life, liberty and property.

Meg Froelich (D)

I am a collaborative lawmaker and most of my colleagues are as well. It is a team sport, individualism does not make for good legislation.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Marla Fernandez (R)

I like committees of moral citizens educated in engineering, geology, and surveying as well as law.

Meg Froelich (D)

We have a newly formed non-partisan Redistricting Commission. They were tasked with two main considerations - keeping communities of interest together and competitiveness. Our Commission did increase competitiveness but I believe did not do a good enough job of considering communities of interest.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Marla Fernandez (R)

Education, health, and safety Also the legal committee

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Marla Fernandez (R)

N/a

Meg Froelich (D)

I enjoy the opportunities present on Transportation and Local Government Committee to address the needs of our growing state for housing and infrastructure while acknowledging we are a Local Control state. Energy and Environment Committee is where all major legislation addressing Climate Change pass through and that has been a challenge and a privilege.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Marla Fernandez (R)

Representative Luck is the most level headed representative currently and I would model after her

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Marla Fernandez (R)

No. But I’m not sure

Meg Froelich (D)

No

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Marla Fernandez (R)

A resident said his friend committed suicide and the health care system didn’t prevent it. A resident Hispanic was not allowed in to her daughters school the first day of classes during Covid last September and her school wanted to segregate herby making her participate in Hispanic activities only.

Meg Froelich (D)

I was recently invited to lunch my a woman who wanted me to know that thanks to a bill we ran on required training in Domestic Violence for Court Personnel she has received a fair evaluation in Family Court. She has hopes for justice for her children for the first time in 7 years.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Marla Fernandez (R)

Ricky Recardo telling Lucy what her bank account is always empty and Lucy saying you don’t give me any money…

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Marla Fernandez (R)

Only to defend our borders from foreign invasion.

Meg Froelich (D)

We should act as a evaluator of emergency powers when used by the Governor.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Marla Fernandez (R)

Yes. But one should not compromise moral and constitutional values.

Meg Froelich (D)

Yes

See also

More about these elections:

• Colorado House of Representatives elections, 2022

Select a district below to read responses from candidates in those races:

District 1District 2District 3District 4District 5District 6District 7District 8District 9District 10District 11District 12District 13District 14District 15District 16District 17District 18District 19District 20District 21District 22District 23District 24District 25District 26District 27District 28District 29District 30District 31District 32District 33District 34District 35District 36District 37District 38District 39District 40District 41District 42District 43District 44District 45District 46District 47District 48District 49District 50District 51District 52District 53District 54District 55District 56District 57District 58District 59District 60District 61District 62District 63District 64District 65Submit