Gordon Klingenschmitt
Gordon Klingenschmitt (Republican Party) (also known as Dr. Chaps) was a member of the Colorado House of Representatives, representing District 15. He assumed office on January 7, 2015. He left office in 2017.
Klingenschmitt ran for election for an at-large seat of the Colorado Springs City Council. He lost in the general election on April 4, 2023.
Klingenschmitt did not seek re-election to the Colorado House of Representatives in 2016. Instead, Klingenschmitt was a 2016 Republican candidate for District 12 of the Colorado State Senate.
Biography
Klingenschmitt's professional experience includes working as a motivational speaker and U.S. Navy chaplain.[1]
Committee assignments
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Klingenschmitt served on the following committees:
| Colorado committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Local Government |
In late March 2015, Klingenschmitt was removed from the Health, Insurance and Environment Committee following controversial comments made about an attack on a pregnant woman.[2]
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2023
See also: City elections in Colorado Springs, Colorado (2023)
General election
General election for Colorado Springs City Council At-large (3 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Colorado Springs City Council At-large on April 4, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | David Leinweber (Nonpartisan)  | 15.4 | 43,649 |
| ✔ |  | Lynette Crow-Iverson (Nonpartisan) | 14.3 | 40,470 |
| ✔ | Brian Risley (Nonpartisan) | 14.0 | 39,662 | |
 | Katherine Gayle (Nonpartisan) | 9.9 | 28,205 | |
 | Glenn Carlson (Nonpartisan) | 8.9 | 25,362 | |
 | Gordon Klingenschmitt (Nonpartisan) | 7.9 | 22,424 | |
 | Roland Rainey Jr. (Nonpartisan) | 7.1 | 20,038 | |
| Chineta Davis (Nonpartisan) | 6.5 | 18,488 | ||
| Jay Inman (Nonpartisan) | 5.8 | 16,384 | ||
| Jane Northrup Glenn (Nonpartisan) | 5.2 | 14,768 | ||
| Jaymen Johnson (Nonpartisan) | 5.1 | 14,534 | ||
| Total votes: 283,984 | |||
| = 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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2019
See also: City elections in Colorado Springs, Colorado (2019)
General election
General election for Colorado Springs City Council At-large (3 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Colorado Springs City Council At-large on April 2, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Wayne W. Williams (Nonpartisan) | 18.6 | 47,622 |
| ✔ |  | Bill Murray (Nonpartisan) | 12.4 | 31,610 |
| ✔ |  | Tom Strand (Nonpartisan) | 12.2 | 31,107 |
| Gordon Klingenschmitt (Nonpartisan) | 11.1 | 28,383 | |
 | Terry Martinez (Nonpartisan) | 10.7 | 27,440 | |
| Tony Gioia (Nonpartisan) | 8.1 | 20,609 | ||
 | Regina English (Nonpartisan) | 7.8 | 19,840 | |
 | Athena Roe (Nonpartisan) | 6.9 | 17,746 | |
 | Val Snider (Nonpartisan) | 5.8 | 14,787 | |
| Dennis Spiker (Nonpartisan) | 3.9 | 9,880 | ||
| Randy Tuck (Nonpartisan) | 2.7 | 6,920 | ||
| Total votes: 255,944 | |||
| = 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
- John Pitchford (Nonpartisan)
2016
- See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Colorado State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 4, 2016.[3] Incumbent Bill Cadman (R) did not seek re-election.
Bob Gardner defeated Manuel Quintel in the Colorado State Senate District 12 general election.[4][5]
| Colorado State Senate, District 12 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Bob Gardner |
75.30% | 45,938 | |
| Libertarian | Manuel Quintel | 24.70% | 15,071 | |
| Total Votes | 61,009 | |||
| Source: Colorado Secretary of State | ||||
Bob Gardner defeated Gordon Klingenschmitt in the Colorado State Senate District 12 Republican primary.[6][7]
| Colorado State Senate, District 12 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Bob Gardner |
61.76% | 8,243 | |
| Republican | Gordon Klingenschmitt | 38.24% | 5,103 | |
| Total Votes | 13,346 | |||
Endorsements
In 2016, Klingenschmitt's endorsements included the following:[8]
- William G. “Jerry” Boykin, LTG (Ret.) US Army
- Alan Keyes, Ambassador and former Presidential Candidate
- Fmr. Colorado Senator Dave Schultheis
- Colorado Senator Kent Lambert
- Colorado Senator Kevin Lundberg
- Colorado Senator Vicki Marble
2014
Elections for the Colorado House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 31, 2014. Lois A. Fornander was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Gordon Klingenschmitt defeated Dave Williams in the Republican primary. Klingenschmitt defeated Fornander in the general election.[9][10][11][12]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gordon Klingenschmitt |
69.9% | 17,053 | |
| Democratic | Lois A. Fornander | 30.1% | 7,350 | |
| Total Votes | 24,403 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Gordon Klingenschmitt |
52.6% | 3,483 |
| Dave Williams | 47.4% | 3,133 |
| Total Votes | 6,616 | |
Endorsements
Klingenschmitt was endorsed by Colorado state senators Kevin Lundberg, Vicki Marble, and Kent Lambert.[13]
Campaign themes
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Gordon Klingenschmitt did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Gordon Klingenschmitt did not complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Klingenschmitt's campaign website highlighted the following issues:
| “ |
PRO-BUSINESS: As a 20-year veteran, Air Force Academy graduate, former Navy Chaplain, Gordon also earned his M.B.A. and founded two successful businesses. As a small-business owner and leader, Gordon has balanced a budget, met payroll, and his charity built an orphanage for 94 children. Jobs are better than welfare! PRO-LIFE: Gordon is a leader in the pro-life community, having helped mobilize petition drives or ballot initiatives in six states to defend the personhood of the unborn. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE: Gordon is a national leader who fights for your religious freedom, having delivered 4.5 million petitions and helping changing laws or policies in 12 states, including defense of traditional marriage between one man and one woman. PRO-2ND AMENDMENT: The only candidate with military experience, Gordon also earned his NRA badge at age 16 as captain of his high-school rifle team. He worked in the recall elections that fired two Senate Democrats. As Member of the NRA, PPFC, and RMGO, he will not compromise. TRANSPORTATION: Gordon is already advocating to fix the traffic problems in our district, especially on Marksheffel and Powers. Why don't our taxes return from Denver or Washington to our neighborhood? EDUCATION: Gordon believes parents and teachers, not unions and politicians, should control your children's education. Locally elected school boards, not common-core bureaucrats, should set standards. Gordon promotes school choice, whether for public or private, home-school or charter schools, because free-market competition holds all schools accountable to improve. PRIVATE CHARITY: Gordon believes community, not big government, will solve most problems through generosity and compassion. For example, Gordon led a church group and boy scout troop to clean up after a tumbleweed natural disater, faster than the government's response. [14] |
” |
| —Gordon Klingenschmitt[15] | ||
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.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Colorado scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2020
In 2020, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 8 to June 15.
- Legislators are usually scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. However, in 2020 the organization released this more detailed overview of the legislative session.
- Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability."
- Colorado Voters for Animals: U.S. Congress and General Assembly
- Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.
2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 4 through May 3.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the 72nd Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 10 through May 9.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the 71st Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 10. There was also a special session from October 2-3.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the second session of the 70th Colorado General Assembly was in session from January 13 through May 11.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the first session of the 70th Colorado General Assembly was in session from January 7 through May 6.
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Noteworthy events
Curse of God comments
Despite calls from members of his own party, Klingenschmitt announced that he would not resign following the outrage surrounding Klingenschmitt attributing an attack on a pregnant woman as God's curse for legalized abortion in the United States.[16] The comments came after the March 2015 announcement that Dynel Lane would not be charged with murder after she attacked a Colorado woman and cut her unborn baby from her womb.[16][17] Klingenschmitt's comments were made on his daily online show, “Pray in Jesus Name.”[18] Klingenschmitt, a former Navy chaplain, initially refused to apologize for the comments[19] The commentary led to the state lawmaker being removed from the Health, Insurance and Environment Committee, with Christy Le Leit of the El Paso Democratic Party calling him an embarrassment to Colorado. Democrats were not the only ones to criticize him; one Republican member of the house remarked that just because Klingenschmitt had an R after his name, didn't mean he represented the party and that the party didn't want anyone thinking he did. Klingenschmitt had some defenders; State Rep. Justin Everett called his removal from the committee inappropriate and an indication that lawmakers were having their speech rights infringed upon.[20] On April 1, 2015, Klingenschmitt released a video stating he would be suspending his daily show until after the end of the Colorado House of Representative's current session, but would not resign.[16]
See also
2023 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Colorado Springs City Council At-large |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Gordon Klingenschmitt campaign website, "About," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Denver Post, "Klingenschmitt loses committee post, suspends ministry for six weeks," March 30, 2015
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Elections & Voting," accessed October 6, 2015
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "General election candidates," accessed August 16, 2016
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "2016 General Election results," accessed December 14, 2016
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Election Candidate List," accessed May 3, 2016
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "June 28, 2016 Primary Election," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ Gordon Klingenschmitt, "Endorsements," accessed June 17, 2016
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Official primary candidate list," accessed May 1, 2014
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Official primary election results," accessed June 25, 2014
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Official general election candidate list," accessed July 23, 2014
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Official general election results," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ Gordon Klingenschmitt campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Gordon Klingenschmitt, "Issues," accessed June 17, 2016
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Andy Koen, KOAA5, "State Representative Klingenschmitt will not resign, suspends TV ministry," April 1, 2015
- ↑ Steve Benen MSNBC, "Colorado’s Klingenschmitt already making a name for himself," March 31, 2015
- ↑ Lynn Bartels, Denver Post, "Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt: The Colorado saga continues," March 31, 2015
- ↑ Brandon Rittiman, KUSA, "Lawmaker: Baby cut from womb was God's punishment," March 26, 2015
- ↑ Greg Dingrando, KOAA5, "Republicans and Democrats asking Klingenschmitt to resign," March 31, 2015
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mark Waller (R) |
Colorado House District 15 2015–2017 |
Succeeded by Dave Williams (R) |
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