Representative Jared Polis

Representative Jared Polis is an American politician, entrepreneur, and Democrat who has served as the Governor of Colorado since 2019. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Colorado's 2nd congressional district from 2009 to 2019. Polis is known for his progressive policies and his commitment to issues such as LGBT rights, climate change, and education reform. He has worked with notable politicians, including Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Bernie Sanders, to advance his legislative agenda.

● Early Life and Education

Jared Polis was born in Boulder, Colorado, to Stephen Schutz and Susan Polis Schutz, founders of the Blue Mountain Arts publishing company. He grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and developed an interest in business and politics at a young age. Polis attended Preston Middle School and later graduated from Laurel Springs School. He then enrolled in Princeton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and was involved in various extracurricular activities, including the Princeton Debate Panel and the Whig-Cliosophic Society. During his time at Princeton, Polis was influenced by the works of John Rawls, Robert Nozick, and Michael Sandel, which shaped his views on social justice and economic policy.

● Career

Before entering politics, Polis founded several successful companies, including American Information Systems, Bluemountain.com, and ProFlowers. He also served on the Colorado State Board of Education from 2001 to 2007 and was a member of the Colorado Board of Education. Polis's business experience and education policy background have been influenced by thinkers such as Milton Friedman, John Dewey, and Diane Ravitch. He has also been involved with organizations such as the National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Brookings Institution.

● U.S. House of Representatives

Polis was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008 and represented Colorado's 2nd congressional district from 2009 to 2019. During his time in Congress, he served on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, the House Committee on Rules, and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Polis was a strong advocate for issues such as LGBT rights, climate change, and immigration reform, often working with colleagues like Tammy Baldwin, Barney Frank, and Luis Gutierrez. He also supported legislation such as the Affordable Care Act, the DREAM Act, and the Employee Non-Discrimination Act, which were influenced by the work of Ted Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid.

● Governor of Colorado

In 2018, Polis was elected as the Governor of Colorado, defeating Walker Stapleton in the general election. As governor, he has focused on issues such as healthcare reform, education funding, and climate change mitigation. Polis has worked with state lawmakers, including Colorado Senate President Leroy Garcia and Colorado House of Representatives Speaker K.C. Becker, to pass legislation such as the Colorado Affordable Health Care Act and the Climate Action Plan. He has also been involved with national organizations such as the National Governors Association, the Democratic Governors Association, and the Western Governors Association.

● Political Positions

Polis is known for his progressive political positions, which have been influenced by thinkers such as Elizabeth Warren, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Bernie Sanders. He supports issues such as single-payer healthcare, free college tuition, and renewable energy development, often citing the work of Paul Krugman, Joseph Stiglitz, and Naomi Klein. Polis has also been a strong advocate for LGBT rights, immigration reform, and gun control legislation, working with organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. His policy positions have been shaped by his experiences as a gay man and his commitment to social justice and economic equality.