Wanda James says she won't play spoiler in 1st District primary
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Wanda James. Photo: Courtesy of Wanda James
University of Colorado regent Wanda James has built an unconventional career, spanning business, military service and the cannabis industry.
Why it matters: She's now eyeing Congress, challenging the U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette in a suddenly competitive Democratic primary for Colorado's 1st Congressional District. But James insists she's no spoiler.
Driving the news: James, 61, qualified for the primary ballot last week after submitting sufficient voter signatures, joining DeGette and newcomer Melat Kiros, who earned the ballot's top slot through the assembly process.
State of play: James tells us she's drawing more support in Denver from Black and Latino constituencies, a base she said helps separate herself from her opponents.
- She's earned endorsements from such political titans as former U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and former state House Speaker Terrance Carroll.
- Her deep ties and community involvement, including creating local jobs, also differentiate her from the other candidates, she said.
- Her extensive business background includes co-founding the nation's first Black-owned cannabis company, Simply Pure.
Context: Medicare for All, supporting voting rights and affordability would be her top priorities in Washington, she tells us.
The intrigue: Kwon Atlas, a local Democratic strategist, tells us James benefits from name recognition, including among voters who've seen her name on a ballot for Regent, which matches the congressional district map.
- James' extensive career could make her more appealing to voters than someone like Kiros, who lacks a similar track record, Atlas adds.
- In fact, Kiros is more likely to play spoiler, Atlas adds.
Reality check: Despite narrowly making the ballot, DeGette's fundraising is far outpacing that of her competitors, recent filings show.
- The incumbent launched an ad last week repositioning herself as a fighter — a persona adopted by many Democratic candidates — and a progressive who protects abortion rights and backs Medicare for All.
The bottom line: James — the first Black woman elected to the CU Regent board in more than four decades — has deep Denver roots.
- To pull off a historic upset on June 30, she'll need to persuade the same voters who value local ties to choose her over a community fixture like DeGette while rejecting Kiros as the future of the Democratic Party.