Janet Buckner

Janet Buckner

Democratic Party

Prior offices

Colorado House of Representatives District 40

Successor: Naquetta Ricks

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Colorado State Senate District 28

Successor: Rhonda Fields

Predecessor: Nancy Todd

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Colorado State Senate District 29

Successor: Iman Jodeh

Predecessor: Rhonda Fields

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Education

Bachelor's

Ball State University

Personal

Profession

Sales

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Personal Facebook

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Janet Buckner (Democratic Party) was a member of the Colorado State Senate, representing District 29. She assumed office on January 9, 2023. She left office on January 9, 2025.

Buckner (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Colorado State Senate to represent District 29. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Buckner resigned from her seat on January 9, 2025 to be with her family.

Biography

Janet Buckner has lived in Aurora, Colorado. Buckner earned a bachelor's degree in education from Ball State University. Her career experience includes working as a speech and language therapist and in medical sales.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

Buckner was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Education Committee, Chair
• Senate Health and Human Services Committee

2021-2022

Buckner was assigned to the following committees:

• Legal Services Committee
• Senate Education Committee
• Senate Health and Human Services Committee

2019-2020

Buckner was assigned to the following committees:

• House Education Committee
• Health and Health Services Committee

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Colorado committee assignments, 2017
• Education, Vice chair
• Health, Insurance and Environment

Elections

2024

See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for Colorado State Senate District 29

Incumbent Janet Buckner won election in the general election for Colorado State Senate District 29 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Janet Buckner (D)	100.0	45,658

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 45,658
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Robert Harrison (L)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Colorado State Senate District 29

Incumbent Janet Buckner advanced from the Democratic primary for Colorado State Senate District 29 on June 25, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Janet Buckner	100.0	11,611

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,611
= 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

• Robert Tate (R) (Disqualified, appeared on ballot)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Buckner in this election.

2020

See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Colorado State Senate District 28

Janet Buckner defeated Karl Stecher in the general election for Colorado State Senate District 28 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Janet Buckner (D)	61.9	51,028
		Karl Stecher (R)	38.1	31,387

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 82,415
= 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 State Senate District 28

Janet Buckner advanced from the Democratic primary for Colorado State Senate District 28 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Janet Buckner	100.0	24,483

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 24,483
= 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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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Colorado State Senate District 28

Karl Stecher advanced from the Republican primary for Colorado State Senate District 28 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Karl Stecher	100.0	11,157

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,157
= 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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2018

See also: Colorado House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Colorado House of Representatives District 40

Incumbent Janet Buckner defeated Richard Allen Bassett in the general election for Colorado House of Representatives District 40 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Janet Buckner (D)	63.1	20,731
		Richard Allen Bassett (R)	36.9	12,146

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 32,877 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 40

Incumbent Janet Buckner advanced from the Democratic primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 40 on June 26, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Janet Buckner	100.0	7,031

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 7,031
= 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 Colorado House of Representatives District 40

Richard Allen Bassett advanced from the Republican primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 40 on June 26, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Richard Allen Bassett	100.0	4,641

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 4,641
= 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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Endorsements

Buckner was endorsed by the Aurora Sentinel.

2016

Obama endorsement
During the 2016 election cycle Buckner was one of the candidates endorsed by President Barack Obama
Full list of Obama's 2016 endorsements

See also: Colorado House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Colorado House of Representatives 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.

Incumbent Janet Buckner defeated Todd Brophy in the Colorado House of Representatives District 40 general election.

Colorado House of Representatives, District 40 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Janet Buckner Incumbent	57.69%	21,391
	Republican	Todd Brophy	42.31%	15,691
Total Votes				37,082
Source: Colorado Secretary of State

Incumbent Janet Buckner ran unopposed in the Colorado House of Representatives District 40 Democratic primary.

Colorado House of Representatives, District 40 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Janet Buckner Incumbent (unopposed)

Spencer Wellman ran unopposed in the Colorado House of Representatives District 40 Republican primary.

Colorado House of Representatives, District 40 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Spencer Wellman  (unopposed)

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Janet Buckner did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Janet Buckner did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

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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.

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Janet Buckner campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Colorado State Senate District 29	Won general	$23,200	$17,380
2020	Colorado State Senate District 28	Won general	$85,658	N/A**
2018	Colorado House of Representatives District 40	Won general	$73,183	N/A**
2016	Colorado House of Representatives, District 40	Won	$93,782	N/A**
Grand total			$275,823	$17,380
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Colorado

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.

2024

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show].

In 2024, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 10 to May 8. Centennial Institute Legislators are scored on their votes on issues relevant to the mission of the Centennial Institute and the strategic priorities of Colorado Christian University. Colorado AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Conservation Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills about Colorado's climate, land, water, and communities. Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Liberty Scorecard Legislators are scored on votes related to "the principles of individual rights, free markets and limited government." Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 9 to May 8. Colorado AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Liberty Scorecard Legislators are scored on votes related to "the principles of individual rights, free markets and limited government." Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. The Arc of Colorado Legislators are scored on votes related to intellectual and developmental disability legislation. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].

In 2022, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 12 to May 11. Centennial Institute Legislators are scored on their votes on issues relevant to the mission of the Centennial Institute and the strategic priorities of Colorado Christian University. Cobalt Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues. Colorado AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Conservation Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills about Colorado's climate, land, water, and communities. Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. CoPIRG Legislators are scored on their votes on "bills that will protect consumers, strengthen our democracy, and safeguard public health." Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Liberty Scorecard Legislators are scored on votes related to "the principles of individual rights, free markets and limited government." Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBTQ+ issues. The Arc of Colorado Legislators are scored on votes related to intellectual and developmental disability legislation.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 13 to June 8. Centennial Institute Legislators are scored on their votes on issues relevant to the mission of the Centennial Institute and the strategic priorities of Colorado Christian University. Colorado Health Initiative Legislators are usually scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Conservation Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills about Colorado's climate, land, water, and communities. Colorado Voters for Animals: U.S. Congress and General Assembly Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. CoPIRG Legislators are scored on their votes on "bills that will protect consumers, strengthen our democracy, and safeguard public health." Colorado Education Association: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes related to education reflection and on how well legislators worked with educators to advance the CEA's priorities. Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Liberty Scorecard Legislators are scored on votes related to "the principles of individual rights, free markets and limited government." Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. The Arc of Colorado Legislators are scored on votes related to intellectual and developmental disability legislation. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 8 to June 15. Colorado Health Initiative 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. Colorado Union of Taxpayers 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. Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Women's Lobby of Colorado 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].

In 2019, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 4 through May 3. ACLU of Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills the ACLU of Colorado "felt were the best representations of the civil liberties issues facing Colorado today." Colorado Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that are supported or opposed by the organization. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Conservation Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBT issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].

In 2018, the 72nd Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 10 through May 9. ACLU of Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills the ACLU of Colorado "felt were the best representations of the civil liberties issues facing Colorado today." Colorado Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that are supported or opposed by the organization. Colorado Senior Lobby, Inc. Legislators are scored on their votes related to senior issues. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Conservation Colorado: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBT issues. Principles of Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to "core principles of liberty," which the organization defines as "Free People," "Free Markets," and "Good Government." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

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. ACLU of Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills the ACLU of Colorado "felt were the best representations of the civil liberties issues facing Colorado today." Colorado Senior Lobby, Inc. Legislators are scored on their votes related to senior issues. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to fiscal policy. Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Conservation Colorado: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBT issues. Principles of Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to "core principles of liberty," which the organization defines as "Free People," "Free Markets," and "Good Government." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

In 2016, the second session of the 70th Colorado General Assembly was in session from January 13 through May 11. ACLU of Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills the ACLU of Colorado "felt were the best representations of the civil liberties issues facing Colorado today." Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that are supported or opposed by the organization. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to fiscal policy. Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Conservation Colorado: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBT issues. Principles of Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to "core principles of liberty," which the organization defines as "Free People," "Free Markets," and "Good Government." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the first session of the 70th Colorado General Assembly was in session from January 7 through May 6. ACLU of Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills the ACLU of Colorado "felt were the best representations of the civil liberties issues facing Colorado today." Colorado Senior Lobby, Inc. Legislators are scored on their votes related to senior issues. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to fiscal policy. Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Conservation Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. Mental Health America of Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. Planned Parenthood Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues. Principles of Liberty: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to "core principles of liberty," which the organization defines as "Free People," "Free Markets," and "Good Government." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.

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Candidate

Colorado State Senate District 29

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Rhonda Fields (D)	Colorado State Senate District 29 2023-2025	Succeeded by Iman Jodeh (D)
Preceded by Nancy Todd (D)	Colorado State Senate District 28 2021-2023	Succeeded by Rhonda Fields (D)
Preceded by -	Colorado House of Representatives District 40 2015-2021	Succeeded by Naquetta Ricks (D)

[show]

Current members of the Colorado State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:James Coleman

Majority Leader:Robert Rodriguez

Minority Leader:Cleave Simpson

Senators

District 1

Byron Pelton (R)

District 2

Lisa Frizell (R)

District 3

Nick Hinrichsen (D)

District 4

Mark Baisley (R)

District 5

Marc Catlin (R)

District 6

Cleave Simpson (R)

District 7

Janice Rich (R)

District 8

Dylan Roberts (D)

District 9

Lynda Zamora Wilson (R)

District 10

Larry Liston (R)

District 11

Thomas Exum (D)

District 12

Marc Snyder (D)

District 13

Scott Bright (R)

District 14

Cathy Kipp (D)

District 15

Janice Marchman (D)

District 16

Chris Kolker (D)

District 17

Katie Wallace (D)

District 18

Judy Amabile (D)

District 19

Lindsey Daugherty (D)

District 20

Lisa Cutter (D)

District 21

Dafna Jenet (D)

District 22

Jessie Danielson (D)

District 23

Barbara Kirkmeyer (R)

District 24

Kyle Mullica (D)

District 25

Faith Winter (D)

District 26

Jeff Bridges (D)

District 27

Tom Sullivan (D)

District 28

Mike Weissman (D)

District 29

Iman Jodeh (D)

District 30

John Carson (R)

District 31

Matt Ball (D)

District 32

Robert Rodriguez (D)

District 33

James Coleman (D)

District 34

Julie Gonzales (D)

District 35

Rod Pelton (R)

Democratic Party (23)

Republican Party (12)