David Gross

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

David Gross

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

June 30, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

Union College

Personal

Birthplace

New York, N.Y.

Religion

Jewish

Profession

University educator

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign YouTube

David Gross (Democratic Party) ran for election to the University of Colorado Board of Regents to represent District 2. He lost in the Democratic primary on June 30, 2020.

Gross completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Gross was born in New York, New York. He earned a bachelor's degree from Union College, New York. He also earned an M.B.A. and a Ph.D. Gross' professional experience includes working as a university educator. He as served as treasurer, president, and director of the Dairy Arts Center, as a partner with Social Venture Partners of Boulder County, as treasurer and director of Boulder Valley Women's Health, and as an outside expert for the City of Boulder Audit Committee.

Elections

2020

See also: Colorado State Board of Regents election, 2020

General election

General election for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2

Callie Rennison defeated Dick Murphy and Christian Vernaza in the general election for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Callie Rennison (D)	59.6	297,440
	Submit photo	Dick Murphy (R)	36.3	181,404
	Submit photo	Christian Vernaza (L)	4.1	20,293

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 499,137
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2

Callie Rennison defeated David Gross and Aaron Harber in the Democratic primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Callie Rennison	53.4	88,904
		David Gross	26.8	44,581
		Aaron Harber	19.8	32,892

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 166,377
= 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.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2

Dick Murphy advanced from the Republican primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Dick Murphy	100.0	67,260

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 67,260
= 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.

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2

Christian Vernaza advanced from the Libertarian convention for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2 on April 13, 2020.

		Candidate
✔	Submit photo	Christian Vernaza (L)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= 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.

Endorsements

To view Gross' endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.

Campaign themes

2020

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released June 3, 2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

David Gross completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Gross' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I just finished my 25th school year at CU. I'm an alum. I earned my Ph.D. in Financial Economics at CU Boulder where I am currently the Associate Chair of the Finance Department and the Faculty Director of the MS Finance Program. Over the past 25 years I've taught over 5,000 students. I just finished remote teaching courses in Financial Derivatives and Fixed Income Securities.

At CU I've served as chair of the Boulder Faculty Assembly Budget and Planning Committee, chair of the Leeds Diversity Committee and on many other committees. At my core, I am a teacher. I have 25 years in the classroom. I am committed to CU.

In addition, I've been active in the non-profit community. I have almost 15 years of experience working in public finance. I've served as Treasurer of Boulder Valley Women's Health Center and Treasurer and President of the Dairy Arts Center. I'm an expert in finance. In fact, that's my title. I volunteer as the Outside Expert on the City of Boulder's Audit Committee.

It is my core belief that a public institution of higher education should serve people and society. In all ways, CU must provide the finest, accessible and equitable education. It must produce outstanding, beneficial and impactful research and creative works.

I am running for CU Regent because, now more than ever, we need a progressive finance expert, experienced teacher and committed public servant on the Board of Regents.

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?

• Make CU More Affordable
• Accessibility for All
• Build a Sustainable University and Communities

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Affordable, equitable and accessible education that produces superior outcomes for students without crippling debt.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The primary responsibility of the CU Regents is approval of the nearly $5 billion annual operating budget and all other capital budgeting expenses. The Regents are also responsible for setting the priorities of the four-campus CU System. The University of Colorado is one of the largest employers in the state and the one of the main economic drivers. It's critical to the well-being of Colorado that CU is affordable, accessible and sustainable and operates in manner consistent with finest pedagogy.

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

President Barack Obama. He is principled, dedicated and tireless. He was a true leader.

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

The writings of John Maynard Keynes. Keynes showed how thoughtful and effect government economic policy greatly improves lives. "We are all Keynesians now," was the quote demonstrating the broad acceptance of Keynes' principles.

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

Honesty, integrity and effort and diligence. Elected officials must always remember they represent the people.

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

I am a progressive finance expert and experienced teacher with a PhD and MBA in finance and 25 years in the classroom. I'm a dedicated public servant with many years of experience working with local non-profits. This role of Regent is at the very intersection of my skills, expertise and experience.

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

To work hard and to be informed about all the issues. To always put academics, students, staff and faculty ahead of politics.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy I would like to leave as Regent is a thriving university that is vibrant, diverse, affordable, accessible and sustainable-a university that remains the pride of Colorado and the American West. A university that improves the lives of its students and enriches the community through education, research and creative works.

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

Nixon's impeachment. I was 7.

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

My first job was in high school as a summer camp counselor. I worked at the camp for 5 summers.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Lonesome Dove. Among other things, it is an epic story about the struggle to find humanity in in an unsettled world.

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

Remember to always be yourself. Unless you can be Batman. Then always be Batman.

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

Three Little Birds

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

I constantly challenge myself by working with struggling organizations to help them succeed with their missions. I find that struggle and challenge motivates my best work. As a 25-year teacher, I have struggled to help under-resourced students succeed in my classes. The greatest struggle is students that are ill prepared for college. Often this can be easily remedied though greater attention to student needs - academic, social and psychological counseling.

I have been blessed with extraordinary education opportunities, but success was also a personal struggle. Only 30% of my PhD class successfully completed program. But I know what it takes to achieve academic success. And I know the importance and opportunities available to those that successfully complete this struggle.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

The primary responsibility of the CU Regents is approval of the nearly $5 billion annual operating budget and all other capital budgeting expenses. CU currently has about $1.5 billion in debt and a $2.25 billion endowment.

The Regents are also responsible for hiring and managing the University President. The current president is political figure and not an academic. He is using the cover of the COVID crisis to shift the university's focus from its current path of increasing diversity and equity and its 144-year tradition of academic excellence toward quick short-term revenue at the expense of CU's long-term reputation.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The Regents are responsible for approving all new academic degrees. Therefore, the academic integrity of CU rests in their hands. Over my 25-years at CU, I have developed curriculum at the course, program, major and degree level for both bachelors and masters degrees. I would be uniquely qualified among the current Regents for this critical task.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe it is detrimental. All of the problems stemming from this office in the past have been from those that wish to use the university as a political pawn. What is best for students, staff and faculty - education, research and creative work - must come first, before politics.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

The primary responsibilities of the Regents are the approval of the nearly $5 billion annual budget and ensuring the academic priorities of the university. I am a progressive finance expert with 25 years teaching at CU and a PhD and MBA in Finance. In addition, I am a dedicated public servant, having volunteered significant time working with and leading non-profits in my community.

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.

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