Crisanta Duran Explained

Crisanta Duran
Office:59th Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives
Term Start:January 11, 2017
Term End:January 4, 2019
Predecessor:Dickey Lee Hullinghorst
Successor:KC Becker
Office1:Majority Leader of the Colorado House of Representatives
Term Start1:January 7, 2015
Term End1:January 11, 2017
Predecessor1:Dickey Lee Hullinghorst
Successor1:KC Becker
State House2:Colorado
District2:5th
Term Start2:January 11, 2011
Term End2:January 4, 2019
Predecessor2:Joel Judd
Successor2:Alex Valdez
Birth Date:23 August 1980
Birth Place:Boulder, Colorado, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Education:University of Denver (BA)
University of Colorado, Boulder (JD)

Crisanta Duran (born August 23, 1980) is a former American politician who served as the 38th Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019.[1] [2] A member of the Democratic Party, she was the Colorado State Representative for the 5th district from 2011 to 2019, which encompasses part of northwest Denver. She served as Majority Leader from 2015 to 2017. Duran is the first and only Latina elected Speaker of the House in state history.[3]

Early life

Duran was born in Boulder, Colorado, and is one of three children. Duran's father worked at a tire shop before eventually becoming the president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union.[4]

Education

Duran graduated from the University of Denver in 2002, double-majoring in Spanish and public policy.[5] Duran earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Colorado.[5]

Career

Duran started her legal career as an attorney with the United Food and Commercial Workers.[6]

Colorado House of Representatives

In 2010, Duran won election to the Colorado House of Representatives for a seat based in western Denver.[6] Duran was elected as the Colorado House majority leader in November 2014.[7] In 2014, the Washington Post named Duran to its "40 under 40" list of rising political stars.[8] She currently serves on the Board of Advisors of Let America Vote, an organization founded by former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander that aims to end voter suppression.[9]

Congressional run

On February 24, 2019, Duran announced her campaign to represent Colorado's 1st congressional district after the 2020 United States House of Representatives elections.[10] However, she ended her campaign on October 11, 2019 after failing to attract sufficient support or campaign contributions.[11] Duran had previously considered a run for the United States Senate.[12]

Awards

See also

External links

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Notes and References

  1. News: Reps. Cristana Duran, Cory Gardner blow out the candles . The Denver Post . Bartels . Lynn . August 22, 2013 . Duran, a Denver Democrat, turns 33 Friday. June 3, 2016.
  2. Web site: Crisanta Duran . March 12, 2011 . Project Vote Smart.
  3. News: Outgoing Denver Democrat Crisanta Duran on the Past Eight Years at the Capitol. Olabi. Nora. 2018-07-09. Westword. 2018-11-27.
  4. News: Bunch. Joey. Crisanta Duran, Colorado House Democratic leader, set to address DNC Thursday. July 26, 2016. The Denver Post. July 25, 2016.
  5. News: Williams. Kevin. State Rep. Crisanta Duran dedicated to community service. July 26, 2016. University of Denver Magazine. September 27, 2012.
  6. News: Aparicio. Diego. Crisanta Duran, a legacy that aims to all four Colorado corners. July 26, 2016. Denver Post. July 28, 2015.
  7. News: Colorado House Dems elect state's first all-female top leadership team. Bartels . Lynn . The Denver Post . November 14, 2014. June 3, 2016.
  8. News: Blake. Aaron. 40 under 40. July 26, 2016. The Washington Post. May 19, 2014.
  9. Web site: Advisors. Let America Vote. May 1, 2018.
  10. News: Former Colorado House Speaker Crisanta Duran launches primary challenge to Democrat Diana DeGette . The Colorado Sun . Paul . Jesse . February 24, 2019 . August 17, 2019.
  11. News: Frank . John . 2019-10-11 . Crisanta Duran, once a rising Democratic star, abandons bid to unseat Diana DeGette . The Colorado Sun . 2019-10-11 .
  12. News: Crisanta Duran rethinking 2020 Senate bid, eyeing possible primary against Diana DeGette. The Colorado Independent . Burness . Alex . February 22, 2019 . August 17, 2019.
  13. Web site: EMILY's List Announces Crisanta Duran as Winner of 2016 Rising Star Award . emilyslist.org . March 25, 2016 . May 14, 2020.
  14. Web site: EMILY's List honors Colorado House Democratic leader Crisanta Duran . denverpost.com . Joey . Bunch . March 25, 2016 . May 14, 2020.