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Dave Williams (Colorado House)
Dave Williams (Republican Party) was a member of the Colorado House of Representatives, representing District 15. He assumed office on January 11, 2017. He left office on January 9, 2023.
Williams (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Colorado's 5th Congressional District. He lost in the Republican primary on June 25, 2024.
On March 11, 2023, Williams was elected to serve as chairman of the Colorado Republican Party.[1] He served in that role until March 2025.[2]
In August 2024, members of the Colorado Republican Party's central committee voted to remove Williams from his position as party chair. For more information on this story, please click here.
Biography
Williams' professional experience includes working as the vice president of logistics for his family-owned company and as the vice chairman of the El Paso County Republican Party.[3]
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.
2021-2022
Williams was assigned to the following committees:
2019-2020
Williams was assigned to the following committees:
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Colorado committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Business Affairs and Labor |
| • State, Veterans and Military Affairs |
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
2024
See also: Colorado's 5th Congressional District election, 2024
Colorado's 5th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 25 Republican primary)
Colorado's 5th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 25 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Colorado District 5
The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. House Colorado District 5 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jeff Crank (R) | 54.7 | 197,924 |
 | River Gassen (D)  | 40.9 | 147,972 | |
 | Michael Vance (L) | 1.8 | 6,458 | |
 | Joseph O. Gaye (Unaffiliated) | 1.1 | 4,094 | |
 | Christopher Mitchell (American Constitution Party) | 1.1 | 4,006 | |
 | Christopher Sweat (Forward Party) | 0.4 | 1,627 | |
 | Marcus Murphy (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 4 | |
| Total votes: 362,085 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Calil Yarbrough (No Party Affiliation)
- Katrina Nguyen (Unaffiliated)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Colorado District 5
River Gassen defeated Joe Reagan in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Colorado District 5 on June 25, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | River Gassen | 50.6 | 20,802 |
 | Joe Reagan | 49.4 | 20,313 | |
| Total votes: 41,115 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- John Edgar (D)
- Orlondo Avion (D)
- David Torres (D)
- Adam Gillard (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Colorado District 5
Jeff Crank defeated Dave Williams in the Republican primary for U.S. House Colorado District 5 on June 25, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jeff Crank | 65.2 | 56,585 |
 | Dave Williams | 34.8 | 30,257 | |
| Total votes: 86,842 | |||
| = 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
- Rose Pugliese (R)
- Daryl Lopes (R)
- Bob Gardner (R)
- Joshua Griffin (R)
- Doug Lamborn (R)
- Douglas Bruce (R)
- Cory Parella (R)
Endorsements
Williams received the following endorsements.
- Former President Donald Trump (R)
Pledges
Williams signed the following pledges.
2022
See also: Colorado's 5th Congressional District election, 2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Colorado District 5
Incumbent Doug Lamborn defeated David Torres, Brian Flanagan, Christopher Mitchell, and Matthew Feigenbaum in the general election for U.S. House Colorado District 5 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Doug Lamborn (R) | 56.0 | 155,528 |
 | David Torres (D) | 40.3 | 111,978 | |
| Brian Flanagan (L) | 2.5 | 7,079 | ||
| Christopher Mitchell (American Constitution Party) | 1.2 | 3,370 | |
| Matthew Feigenbaum (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 9 | ||
| Total votes: 277,964 | |||
| = 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
- Ryan Thompson (Unaffiliated)
- Alax Jones (Independent)
- Patrick O'Brien Faley (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Colorado District 5
David Torres defeated Michael Colombe in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Colorado District 5 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Torres | 54.7 | 24,413 |
 | Michael Colombe | 45.3 | 20,237 | |
| Total votes: 44,650 | |||
| = 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
- Jeremy Dowell (D)
- Orlondo Avion (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Colorado District 5
Incumbent Doug Lamborn defeated Dave Williams, Rebecca Keltie, and Andrew Heaton in the Republican primary for U.S. House Colorado District 5 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Doug Lamborn | 47.3 | 46,178 |
| Dave Williams | 33.5 | 32,669 | |
 | Rebecca Keltie | 12.9 | 12,631 | |
 | Andrew Heaton | 6.3 | 6,121 | |
| Total votes: 97,599 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2020
See also: Colorado House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Colorado House of Representatives District 15
Incumbent Dave Williams defeated John Pyne IV and Mike McRedmond in the general election for Colorado House of Representatives District 15 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dave Williams (R) | 59.1 | 28,944 |
| John Pyne IV (D) | 35.8 | 17,535 | ||
 | Mike McRedmond (L) | 5.0 | 2,459 | |
| Total votes: 48,938 | |||
| = 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 Colorado House of Representatives District 15
John Pyne IV advanced from the Democratic primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 15 on June 30, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | John Pyne IV | 100.0 | 7,551 | |
| Total votes: 7,551 | |||
| = 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
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 15
Incumbent Dave Williams advanced from the Republican primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 15 on June 30, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dave Williams | 100.0 | 11,168 |
| Total votes: 11,168 | |||
| = 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
- Missy Ward (R)
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Colorado House of Representatives District 15
Mike McRedmond advanced from the Libertarian convention for Colorado House of Representatives District 15 on April 13, 2020.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Mike McRedmond (L) |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for Colorado House of Representatives District 15
Incumbent Dave Williams defeated Brenda Krause in the general election for Colorado House of Representatives District 15 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dave Williams (R) | 61.4 | 20,499 |
 | Brenda Krause (D) | 38.6 | 12,874 | |
| Total votes: 33,373 | |||
| = 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 Colorado House of Representatives District 15
Brenda Krause advanced from the Democratic primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 15 on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Brenda Krause | 100.0 | 3,825 |
| Total votes: 3,825 | |||
| = 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 15
Incumbent Dave Williams advanced from the Republican primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 15 on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dave Williams | 100.0 | 8,000 |
| Total votes: 8,000 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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 Gordon Klingenschmitt (R) did not seek re-election.
Dave Williams defeated Sharon Huff in the Colorado House of Representatives District 15 general election.[4][5]
| Colorado House of Representatives, District 15 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Dave Williams |
67.84% | 25,239 | |
| Democratic | Sharon Huff | 32.16% | 11,962 | |
| Total Votes | 37,201 | |||
| Source: Colorado Secretary of State | ||||
Sharon Huff ran unopposed in the Colorado House of Representatives District 15 Democratic primary.[6][7]
| Colorado House of Representatives, District 15 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Sharon Huff (unopposed) | |
Dave Williams ran unopposed in the Colorado House of Representatives District 15 Republican primary.[6][7]
| Colorado House of Representatives, District 15 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Dave Williams (unopposed) | |
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.[8][9][10][11]
| 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 | |
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Dave Williams did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Dave Williams did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Dave Williams did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Williams' campaign website highlighted the following issues:
| “ |
Stop & Oppose Illegal Immigration Colorado must stop liberal communities from becoming "sanctuary cities" for illegal aliens. Additionally, we need to put an end to giving in-state tuition, driver's licenses, and any other government benefit to illegal aliens. Colorado can do its part in stopping illegal immigration by simply not rewarding illegal behavior. Pro-Life This fundamental, God-given right cannot be merely undone by radical liberals who would willingly discard those who are the most vulnerable among us. Abortion is an evil that has corrupted our nation and continues to desensitize the country to issues related to life and death. Pro-Religious & Personal Liberty We must not allow special interests, obsessed with receiving special treatment, to use the government as a weapon to punish people for their sincerely held beliefs. The government must not be allowed to overstep its role or violate our First Amendment. Pro-Second Amendment The right to bear arms is fundamental to the defense of the American people from enemies foreign and domestic. The Second Amendment serves as a defense against crime, but also as an ultimate check against government should it become tyrannical. Reduced Taxes & Reduced Spending Taxes & government spending are directly related to the size of government. The more money a government receives, the more it wishes to expand its budget & bureaucracy. Government has a natural inclination to spend well beyond its means. It’s important that we elect people who will limit government growth and protect the rights of taxpayers. An improved economy will occur when hardworking taxpayers and businesses are able to keep more of their own money.[12] |
” |
| —Dave Williams[13] | ||
2014
Williams' campaign website emphasized the following themes:[14]
- Pro-Life
Excerpt: "Abortion is an evil that has corrupted our nation and continues to desensitize the country to issues related to life and death."
- Pro-Marriage
Excerpt: "Marriage is an institution that is fundamental to the success of our communities, and ultimately our country. I believe that the basic concept of marriage must not be redefined."
- Pro-Second Amendment
Excerpt: "The right to bear arms is fundamental to the defense of the American people from enemies foreign and domestic."
- Reduced Taxes and Reduced Spending
Excerpt: "It’s important that we elect people who will limit government growth and protect the rights of taxpayers. An improved economy will occur when hardworking taxpayers and businesses are able to keep more of their own money."
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.
2022
In 2022, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 12 to May 11.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on issues relevant to the mission of the Centennial Institute and the strategic priorities of Colorado Christian University.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes.
- Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability."
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills about Colorado's climate, land, water, and communities.
- Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on "bills that will protect consumers, strengthen our democracy, and safeguard public health."
- Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues.
- Legislators are scored on votes related to "the principles of individual rights, free markets and limited government."
- 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 based on their votes on LGBTQ+ issues.
- 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]. |
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In 2021, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 13 to June 8.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 8 to June 15.
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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.
|
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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Noteworthy events
Colorado Republican Party chair conflict
On August 24, 2024, members of the Republican Party of Colorado voted to remove Dave Williams as state party chairman. The vote occurred after Williams sent an email using derogatory language to describe members of the LGBTQ+ community. According to CBS News, he also called for the burning of pride flags on social media.[15] The party's central committee voted to replace Williams with Eli Bremer.[16][17]
Williams refused to recognize the results of the vote.[18] In a text message to The Denver Post, Williams refuted the claim that he was no longer party chairman, saying the roughly 166 votes cast in favor of his removal (12 cast against his removal) could not decide for the 400 plus total members of the party's central committee.[19]
Bremer filed a lawsuit to remove Williams from office, while Williams' supporters filed a counter lawsuit to have Bremer removed.[16]
On September 26, 2024, El Paso County District Judge Eric Bentley wrote in an order that actions to remove Williams as chair and install Bremer were not valid.[20]
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Candidate U.S. House Colorado District 5 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Colorado Politics, "Colorado Republicans elect Dave Williams to lead state party for next two years," March 11, 2023
- ↑ CPR, "Brita Horn of Routt County wins race for GOP Chair," March 29, 2025
- ↑ Dave Williams campaign website, "Meet Dave," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "General election candidates," accessed August 16, 2016
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "2016 General Election results," accessed December 14, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Colorado Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Election Candidate List," accessed May 3, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Colorado Secretary of State, "June 28, 2016 Primary Election," accessed August 22, 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
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Dave for Colorado, "Core beliefs," accessed October 6, 2016
- ↑ Dave Williams campaign website, "Core Beliefs," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ CBS News, Colorado Republicans remove party chair after his email attacking LGBTQ people, call for Pride flag to be burned" accessed August 27, 2024
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 CBS News, "Drama ongoing in the Colorado Republican Party after vote to oust Dave Williams as chairman," August 30, 2024
- ↑ FOX21, "FOX21 speaks with the new head of Colorado GOP," accessed August 29, 2024
- ↑ Colorado Sun, "Colorado GOP leadership battle is scheduled to go to trial in October," September 14, 2024
- ↑ The Denver Post, "Colorado Republicans remove party chair after his email attacking LGBTQ people, call for Pride flag to be burned," accessed August 27, 2024
- ↑ Colorado Newsline, “Vote to remove Dave Williams as Colorado GOP chair invalid, judge decides" accessed September 27, 2024
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Colorado House of Representatives District 15 2017-2023 |
Succeeded by Scott Bottoms (R) |
