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Eric Mulder
Eric Mulder (Forward Party) ran for election to the Colorado House of Representatives to represent District 36. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Mulder completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Eric Mulder served in the United States Army from 2010 to 2016. He earned a bachelor's degree from the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. His career experience includes working as a security guard and small business owner. He has been affiliated with the Libertarian Party of Arapahoe County.[1][2]
Elections
2024
See also: Colorado House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Colorado House of Representatives District 36
Michael Carter defeated Eric Mulder in the general election for Colorado House of Representatives District 36 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Michael Carter (D)  | 71.5 | 21,452 |
 | Eric Mulder (Forward Party) | 28.5 | 8,532 | |
| Total votes: 29,984 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 36
Michael Carter defeated Bryan Lindstrom in the Democratic primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 36 on June 25, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michael Carter | 61.4 | 3,706 |
 | Bryan Lindstrom | 38.6 | 2,331 | |
| Total votes: 6,037 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Mulder in this election.
2022
See also: Colorado's 6th Congressional District election, 2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Colorado District 6
Incumbent Jason Crow defeated Steve Monahan and Eric Mulder in the general election for U.S. House Colorado District 6 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jason Crow (D) | 60.6 | 170,140 |
 | Steve Monahan (R) | 37.4 | 105,084 | |
| Eric Mulder (L) | 2.0 | 5,531 | |
| Total votes: 280,755 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Andrew Forrest White (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Colorado District 6
Incumbent Jason Crow advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Colorado District 6 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jason Crow | 100.0 | 61,074 |
| Total votes: 61,074 | |||
| = 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 U.S. House Colorado District 6
Steve Monahan advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Colorado District 6 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Steve Monahan | 100.0 | 47,556 |
| Total votes: 47,556 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Glenn Rickerson (R)
- Brian Smith (R)
2018
General election
General election for Arapahoe County Sheriff
Tyler Brown defeated incumbent Dave Walcher and Eric Mulder in the general election for Arapahoe County Sheriff on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Tyler Brown (D) | 51.3 | 133,761 | |
| Dave Walcher (R) | 43.4 | 113,271 | ||
| Eric Mulder (L) | 5.3 | 13,923 | |
| Total votes: 260,955 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Arapahoe County Sheriff
Tyler Brown advanced from the Democratic primary for Arapahoe County Sheriff on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Tyler Brown | 100.0 | 54,760 | |
| Total votes: 54,760 | |||
| = 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 Arapahoe County Sheriff
Incumbent Dave Walcher advanced from the Republican primary for Arapahoe County Sheriff on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Dave Walcher | 100.0 | 41,930 | |
| Total votes: 41,930 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Eric Mulder completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mulder's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- Transparency- ensuring all governing bodies in Colorado comply record keeping requirements, also promoting remote access for governing body meetings so that all constituents have the chance to actively participate in all levels of governance.
- Democracy- shifting the Overton window back towards acceptable political discourse that promotes human dignity by offering voters more choices than just two parties. By amplifying other parties besides the two major parties, we give voters more opportunities to be heard and increase the chances of getting more perspectives in government working toward consensus versus "my-way-or-the-highway" politics. I also support ranked choice voting as a means of giving voters better representation by allowing more candidates to run and helping communities find representatives that more people can agree on.
- Opportunity- Colorado faces housing challenges that contribute toward homelessness and lack of affordable housing options for residents already negatively impacted by inflation and the soaring cost of living. We must promote and encourage the development of alternative and mixed development housing so that more people have more options for housing that fits their needs.
Hunter S. Thompson, Vermin Supreme I admire their gonzo approach to politics- willing to use theatrics and satire to bring attention to important issues.
If an official changes their mind on a set of issues they have to be willing to acknowledge that they view things differently (as opposed to flipflopping where they pretend they never held their previous views).
Governance. I have served on at least two citizen advisory boards in the city of Aurora, composed of fellow citizens of all different backgrounds and even political views. During my tenure on these boards we've all managed to work together towards common goals. I am very good at operating within the confines of the limits of government in general and achieving goals with people from different backgrounds.
Army Veteran. As a veteran, much like being a citizen commissioner or private security guard, I have had to work in difficult environments with people I don't get to personally choose to work with. This has taught me how to make the best out of any situation I am put into and see a goal through to its completion.
Accessibility- as best as possible, an state legislator needs to be responsive to their constituents, answering emails and other means of communication whenever possible, even if its not to give a constituent the answer they were hoping for.
Much like juries, I believe legislatures need to have a variety of perspectives from people of different backgrounds in order to create legislation that best serves the interests of the people.
In terms of accountability, elected officials must view themselves as the stewards of the people's money, and they have an obligation to spend it wisely and based on their needs.
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.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
2022
Eric Mulder completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mulder's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- End the War on Drugs- repeal the Controlled Substances Act, decriminalize the possession and use of all substances, release everyone incarcerated solely for use or possession
- Wage Peace, Not War- abolish selective service, close all foreign bases, withdraw from all countries the US no longer wanted in, reduce military spending and size by 50%
- Dignity for all- protect government whistleblowers, allow more immigration/asylum seekers, close detention centers, abolish prison slavery
My district understands this principle all too well when they chose an unexperienced army veteran to replace a multiple termed entrenched incumbent who had served at nearly every level of politics in this state since the 1980s. There is an appetite for new ideas here and I am looking forward to being given the chance to put them forward in a district that demonstrated quite clearly that "incumbent" isn't the only factor in deciding who their representative is.
Many in congress have a vested financial interest in the prison industrial complex, and laws exist that mandate certain institutions must buy prison made products. Several members of congress receive contributions from the private prison lobby or even own stock in prison companies. Pushing for divestment from this miscarriage of justice is not going to be easy and many will not have the will to see it through. Those who run for/serve in congress and are willing to take on this challenge will help to create a far more just place to live, and prevent hundreds of thousands of lives from being totally obliterated by our system of incarceration.
Compromise does not mean you must abandon your principles or convictions, but it does mean that you have the prudence and long term vision to understand how to pick and choose your battles so that you not only maximize your words and actions but that you also save your strength for when it really counts- and that you have the wisdom to understand who to not waste your time with.
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.
Campaign website
Mulder's campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
WAGE PEACE Peace cannot be achieved through a foreign policy of aggression and "acceptable" civilian casualties. Every innocent person killed in "strategic bombing" leads to more people turning against the United States. The War on Terrorism is approaching nearly 20 years of operation, and in that time trillions of dollars have been spent and thousands of innocent civilians have died- and the world is no safer than when it was started. I am against the use of nuclear weapons, I oppose broad sanctions without due process, I will not support the establishment of "No Fly Zones" (often little more than a pretext for war), and oppose the use of conscription in any form. Congress has delegated its responsibility to vote on and declare wars to the President of the United States in the name of "getting things done", when in reality it allows legislators to wash their hands of the consequences of warfare. As a veteran I am demanding that Congress take back their responsibility and duty to oversee acts of war done in the name of the United States, not sit back and let one person make all the decisions.
The Federal government has consistently aggravated supply problems by imposing destructive barriers on free trade. We face major Commercial Driver shortages in our mass transit and trucking industries due to pointless federal restrictions on personal recreational consumption of substances while off duty. Lifting these restrictions will open the door and allow more people into this critically short staffed profession. Continuation of tariffs has been equally destructive- hurting the American consumer through the higher cost of importing goods, in a vain effort to prop up industries that no longer exist here. Tariffs are sanctions on your own people and must be abolished appropriately. Shortages of countless goods can be traced back to the United States punishing purchase of foreign made goods. In an age where economics and trade involve the entire globe, this practice no longer works. The Jones Act harms our gas prices as well as oversees states and territories by overwhelmingly raising the cost of doing business within the borders of United States. It is time to stop treating our own people as second class citizens and repeal this harmful barrier to free trade.
Multi-Trillion dollar deficits have caused the national debt to spiral out of control, placing us at the mercy of lenders and debt purchasers who could use that leverage to make greater demands that threaten our sovereignty and ultimately our national security. We can cut down on our defense spending by as much as 50% and STILL maintain the largest military in the world capable of defending the US from attack. Any surplus from reduced spending should be used towards the national debt, reducing the interest payments on it and ultimately bringing down the true principle of said debt.
The Cost of Living has skyrocketed, and people all over District 6 and the nation are feeling the pinch. Every dollar Congress spends from borrowing is a dollar borrowed against everyday people just trying to make ends meet. This weakens our dollar through inflation, which in turn means higher grocery bills and the devaluation of money we try to save for emergencies. The dollar is backed by "full faith and trust" in the United States' ability to pay its debts, and Congress must do everything in its power to protect that trust by controlling our spending and not borrowing against future generations. Pending defaults must be prevented at all costs- a dollar worth nothing means money that can't pay for groceries or rent. We must allow individuals to embrace and accept alternative currencies, including cryptocurrency.
The War on Drugs has been ongoing for decades and much like the War on Terror has completely failed in its objectives. Thanks to this senseless domestic policy, the United States has incarcerated more people than the Soviet Union ever threw into the Gulags, the black market demand for drugs remains at an all time high, and a symbiosis of government and prison contracting has given rise to the school-to-prison pipeline and the prison industrial complex. The fentanyl crisis is largely due to the fact people are overdosing on drugs because they don't know they've been laced with fentanyl (a powerful synthetic opioid often cut into other drugs as a cost saving measure for underground market trade). Decriminalization is not about glamorizing drug use, it's about enhancing consumer safety by bringing all substances into the same category as alcohol- a substance we acknowledge has harmful effects, but by allowing people to openly and safely purchase it we deprive criminal enterprises of a lucrative market, hitting them right in the wallet. We must decriminalize the possession and use of all substances, abolishing the US Controlled Substances Act. Any and all persons incarcerated for drug use should be immediately released and have their criminal record expunged.
Your personal medical decisions (including abortion, gender reassignment, and more) are none of the government's business. I oppose attempts to ban personal medical procedures. Any attempts to collect data on these procedures must have strict safeguards to prevent them from becoming "hit lists" for dystopian-friendly politicians. Government spends millions on warrantless bulk surveillance of the American people, invading our privacy all while failing to protect us from active threats. This form of mass spying needs to stop. Consenting adults should be free to love one another, and leaving that up to the whims of the Supreme Court puts the rights of countless people at risk. As a member of the LGBTQ community, I am willing to codify marriage equality into law- your right to marry anyone you choose shouldn't depend on what state you live in. We live in a dangerous world, and counting on the government defend us from harm has led to countless deaths in a system that has ruled time and again government has no positive duty to keep you safe. We cannot deprive people of the ability to defend themselves from harm while allowing our government to arm itself to the teeth- this is a recipe for an even worse event than January 6.[3] |
” |
| —Eric Mulder's campaign website (2022)[4] | ||
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Eric Mulder completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mulder's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Reevaluate all training and standard operating procedures to ensure our tactics are done to deescalate violence as much as possible and that all tactics are done in ways that minimize harm, damages, and are done in an efficient and timely manner. Partner with community organizations involved in police and criminal justice reform in order to develop policies that promote alternatives to jail, educate the department in working with marginalized communities. Implementing procedures that encourage transparency to include making records available to the public (while safe guarding personally identifiable information from potential identity theft) and possibly the formation of an Independent Review Board of citizens to evaluate the disciplinary procedures of the department in the event of misconduct or misuse of force.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Criminal Justice reform- policies that promote using alternatives to jail and uphold civil liberties. Abolishing victimless "crimes".
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
Sheriff Bill Masters of San Miguel County, Colorado. Sheriff Masters has made the case as an experienced law enforcement officer for opposing the war on drugs and discontinuing practices that yield little results while increasing the risk of innocent people getting hurt (no-knock warrants).
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
"Drug War Addiction" by Sheriff Bill Masters
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Integrity- a willingness to always do the right thing, especially when you have everything to lose from doing so. Servant Leadership- as a Leader, you are responsible for the actions of your subordinates and must be willing to do whatever is necessary to promote their well being. You must be willing to work until the job is done, staying long into the night so that your subordinates do not have to. Those you place in a position of leadership must be willing to work as hard as you do, or be replaced by those that do (though a good leader should use persuasion far more than using fear). As a leader you must constantly be preparing your subordinates for greater responsibility- your days are numbered and you will not be leader forever. Humility- as a leader you must let go of micromanagement and accept that those you have placed in positions of supervision are there because you chose them, therefore you need to be able to trust them (or find those you can trust). No matter your level of experience, you must always dignify the advise of your council and be prepared to make a decision only when you have all relevant information. Respect- as a Leader, the dignity of your subordinates must be a reflection of the dignity you have for yourself- "praise in public, discipline in private".
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Servant leadership- as a former member of the military, servant leadership is a philosophy I embrace. I was constantly training my subordinates to become my replacement, and several of those I have trained long after I have left the military have gone on to greater positions of responsibility. I embrace and accept that I will not run anything forever. Humility- lacking the normal amount of experience of those typically seeking this office, I am in an even greater position to accept the counsel of my staff and advisers, rather than rely solely upon my own experiences. I will promote others to positions of leadership based upon their ability to not only respect their subordinates but provide them with the motivation to meet our department goals. I can lead because as a junior member on numerous battalion and squadron staffs, I know how to follow.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
An understanding that all public funding is forcibly taken from the general public and that as a public official you are obligated to reduce all financial burdens of your office on your community, to include mitigating lawsuits filed against your county for the misconduct of your agency. An understanding that as a public servant, you are subordinate to your constituents and are therefore accountable to them and them alone. Presumption of innocence is the corner stone of our judicial system and you as a public official must embody and accept that.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I seek a legacy where instead of a sheriff who campaigned on their family or personal life, they campaigned on issues that mattered. I seek to be a Sheriff who sought what was right for their community and the subordinates of my department, to include those who do not agree with my approach. I seek a Sheriff's Department that does not shy away from public scrutiny or criticism, but accepts and embraces it as a means of becoming an asset to the community instead of an organization that promotes fear.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The first historical event I can remember with the most detail was the September 11th attacks. I was in grade school at the time, our teachers having been instructed to turn on the TV so that everyone could see it. After the seeing the previous footage of a plane going into the building did I realize that this was an attack.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job was as a bagger at a grocery store. I continuously moved up to more responsible positions during me three years at that store, moving to cashier, then working various backroom department jobs from bakery to produce. I then left the store to begin my tenure in the United States Army.
What happened on your most awkward date?
I had a date over sushi, where my date spilled wine all over my shirt. After apologizing profusely, we had a mildly contentious discussion over politics (though a completely civil conversation, it was apparent that our views were very different).
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
My personal favorite holiday would have to be Halloween. I get to spend a mild fall evening with a horror/macabre movie themed marathon while indulging in a bowl full of candy.
What is your favorite book? Why?
The Watchmen by Alan Moore. Everytime I read it I notice something that I haven't observed before, and each subsequent read through I spend more time on the lore that is located throughout it. It is a story that is perfectly designed for written medium, and easily one of the most captivating superhero stories of all time.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Dr. Fate of the Justice Society. A powerful sorcerer with nearly unlimited aptitude in the fields of magic, but is a strong team player who is more concerned with accomplishing a mission than taking the lead.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My sectional couch in my living room- it has ample room to accommodate multiple people in either sitting or lying down positions at the same time.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
"Invisible Touch" by Genesis
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
A willingness to allow myself to make mistakes.
Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?
The Sheriff is responsible for coordinating wild fire responses in rural areas of the county, and also serving writs of possession to tenants facing eviction. Sheriffs also play an important role in determining who does or does not go to jail, and can even oppose detainer requests/administrative warrants that are not signed by a judge.
What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?
Creative thinking, an understanding of tactical operations in order to establish more efficient and effective procedures in ways that minimize damage, injuries, and costs, an outsider perspective in order to assure the public that government will always answer to them.
What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?
As not only the custodian and keeper of the county jail, the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Department is responsible for providing patrol duties to the growing city of Centennial. This gives the Sheriff's office the unique position of not only being able to implement jail reform but also police reform.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?
No- "experienced" politicians tend to be too self-assured in their own experiences, often refusing to accept public scrutiny, questioning, or advice from their staff.
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.
Campaign website
Mulder's campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
DECRIMINALIZE The opioid crisis has affected the entire nation, and has been made worse through the war on drugs. Jail is not an appropriate solution for helping people suffering from drug addiction. I will cooperate with community organizations and our judicial system to ensure that we are finding alternatives to jail whenever appropriate. DEMILITARIZE The militarization of Law Enforcement through the federal government's 1033 program has eroded public trust, saddled counties with expensive, obsolete military hardware, and has not made our communities safer. As Sheriff, I want my deputies to have the right training to uphold peace in Arapahoe county and the right equipment to help them better serve our communities. DUE PROCESS Our justice system is based on the premise that people are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. The 4th Amendment affirms the right to privacy of our persons and our possessions. Actions taken by government that assume guilt are not only immoral, they are unconstitutional. As your next Sheriff, I will uphold and defend due process for everyone in our county.[3] |
” |
| —Eric Mulder’s campaign website (2018)[5] | ||
Ballotpedia's biographical submission form
The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:
| “ | What is your political philosophy?
Individual Freedom, Abolition of Authoritarianism[3] |
” |
| —Eric Mulder[6] | ||
See also
2024 Elections
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 8, 2021.
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 6, 2024
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Mulder For US House, “On The Issues,” accessed October 11, 2022
- ↑ Eric Mulder’s campaign website, “MY PLATFORM,” accessed September 26, 2018
- ↑ Information submitted through Ballotpedia's biographical submission form on September 26, 2018.
