Sen. Larry Crowder to Seek Reelection in 2016

State Senator Larry Crowder, District 35

ALAMOSA, Colo. – Sen. Larry Crowder will seek reelection to the Colorado State Senate in 2016. First elected in 2012, Sen. Crowder represents residents of the state’s 35th District which includes portions of 16 counties in Southern Colorado.

During his first term in office, Sen. Crowder said he’s worked diligently to stand up for Southern Colorado’s interests and needs.

“I’ve worked to ensure the voices of Southern Colorado are heard above metropolitan special interests in Denver, but there’s a lot of work that remains to be done,” Sen. Crowder said.

To ensure the prosperity and livelihood of Southern Colorado residents, Sen. Crowder will continue to seek bipartisan solutions to get things done in Denver.

“Regardless of whether the bill was introduced by a Republican or a Democrat, the minute it hits the floor of the Senate, it becomes the people’s bill,” Sen. Crowder said. “I don’t care who introduced the bill. I care how it affects Southern Colorado.”

For example, Sen. Crowder was the only Republican in the Senate who voted to expand Medicaid in 2013.

“My district had the lowest per capita income, the highest rate of medically uninsured residents and the most unpaid medical bills. Voting to expand Medicaid so more Southern Colorado residents could access life-saving health insurance was vitally important to me, regardless of Denver special interest feelings on the matter,” Sen. Crowder said.

Even though Sen. Crowder touts the virtues of bipartisanship and is willing to cross the aisle for the good of Southern Colorado, he has been recognized every year by the American Conservative Union as a Conservative leader. Sen. Crowder says he looks forward to opportunities to further Republican causes such 2nd amendment rights and pro-life issues.

Other notable achievements during Sen. Crowder’s first term in office include:

• Working to preserve Amtrak’s Southwest Chief route through Southern Colorado which saved 200 jobs.
• Transforming Fort Lyons from a prison to a much needed community resource that provides jobs for Bent County residents.
• Securing $15 million in economic development funding for the region through the Job Creation and Main Street Revitalization Act.
• Expanding burial plots at Homelake Cemetery ensure resting places for veterans.
• Bringing broadband internet access to more of the region’s residents by offering tax incentives to private companies who invest in the infrastructure.
• Speeding up the licensing process for advanced practice nurses who are desperately needed to provide healthcare in the region’s communities.

Even with his accomplishments, Sen. Crowder says there’s a long way to go to improve the quality of life in rural Colorado.

“We have infrastructure issues. We need to export the power created by the region’s alternative energy sources. Our roads are not capable of keeping up with a more mobile population. And we need jobs — jobs that can elevate us into the 21st century and beyond,” he said.