Steven Woodrow Explained

Steven Woodrow
Office:Member of the Colorado House of Representatives
Constituency:6th district (2020–2023)
2nd district (2023–present)
Term Start:February 4, 2020
Predecessor:Chris Hansen
Party:Democratic
Alma Mater:University of Michigan
Chicago-Kent College of Law

Steven Lezell Woodrow is an American politician who currently serves as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives. A member of the Colorado Democratic Party, he previously served in Colorado's 6th district from 2020 to 2023 and the Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on State Civic Military and Veterans Affairs.

Early life and education

Woodrow spent his early life in Michigan. His mother taught public school at Bingham Farms elementary in Michigan.[1] He attended the University of Michigan with his sisters, where he majored in political science and earned his Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in 2002. During undergrad he served as President of the Alpha-Theta chapter of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. Later, in 2005, Woodrow earned a J.D. from the Chicago-Kent College of Law with high honors. During law school he served as President of the Chicago-Kent Student Bar Association.

Career

Woodrow, along with Patrick H. Peluso, co-founded the law firm Woodrow & Peluso.[2] With this firm, Woodrow practices law in Denver, Colorado. In January 2020, Chris Hansen resigned from the Colorado House of Representatives to fill Lois Court's vacancy in the Colorado Senate.[3] While the Democratic Party committee was searching for a replacement, state senator Robert Rodriguez backed Woodrow.[4] Woodrow was appointed to the Colorado House of Representatives seat representing the 6th district, and was seated on February 4, 2020.[5] Due to redistricting, Woodrow was drawn out of the 6th district[6] and placed in the 2nd district. Woodrow won re-election in the 2022 general election.[7]

Woodrow's policy focus during his first campaign was on affordable housing, education and gun control.[8]

Personal life

Woodrow is married and has two children.[9] He and his family are members of the Rodef Shalom Congregation.

Woodrow gained significant attention on July 13, 2024, when he posted on X in response to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump earlier that day: "The last thing America needed was sympathy for the devil but here we are."[10] His post was widely criticized, including by the Colorado Democratic Party;[11] Afterwards, he told the Washington Examiner that he condemned the events that day "on the strongest terms" and that the shooting "risks portraying Trump [as] a martyr, thus making him more likely to win in November."

Elections

2020

Woodrow defeated challengers Steven Paletz and Dan Himelspach in the Democratic Primary. He went on to win the general election, defeating Republican William McAleb and Libertarian Jeffrey Crowe with 71.9% of the vote.[5]

2022

Woodrow defeated Republican Stephanie Wheeler and Libertarian Justin Savoy with 74.4% of the vote in the 2022 general election.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Meet Steven Woodrow, Candidate for State House District Six. October 22, 2019 . Colorado Times Recorder . June 8, 2020.
  2. Web site: Team. Woodrow & Peluso LLC . June 8, 2020.
  3. Web site: Democrat Steven Woodrow replacing Chris Hansen in Colorado House. February 5, 2020 . . June 8, 2020.
  4. Web site: Denver attorney Steven Woodrow appointed to fill Colorado House seat. February 5, 2020 . . June 8, 2020.
  5. Web site: Steven Woodrow. . February 19, 2021.
  6. Web site: Metzger . Hannah . June 30, 2022 . Democratic primary race for Colorado's House District 6 pulls in over $330,000 . December 6, 2022 . Colorado Politics . en.
  7. Web site: Steven Woodrow . December 6, 2022 . Ballotpedia . en.
  8. Web site: October 14, 2022 . Colorado State House District 2 candidate Q&A . December 6, 2022 . The Denver Post . en-US.
  9. Web site: About Steven . December 6, 2022 . Steven Woodrow for HD 2 . en-US.
  10. Web site: Cordi . Peter . Democratic lawmaker chides 'sympathy for the devil' after Trump shot at rally . Washington Examiner . July 14, 2024 . July 13, 2024.
  11. Web site: Haaf . Landon . July 13, 2024 . Colorado Dems decry State House rep's 'sympathy for the devil' post following Trump rally shooting . ABC 7 Denver.