Jillaire McMillan

“I was the 2024 Democratic nominee. With only 89 days to run, I lost by just 110 votes. I'm the only HD19 candidate with experience running a race of this size. HD19 has more than 50% unaffiliated voters. For nearly a decade, I was a leader in a nonpartisan organization advocating for the Child Tax Credit, immigration reform, environmental protections, and pro-democracy measures with women from across the political spectrum. Many candidates say they'll work across the aisle, but I have actually done it. I'm the candidate that can persuade Democrat and swing voters alike and win in November.”

“As a mother and business owner, I see rising expenses create challenges for my family and company. Speaking with HD19 residents, affordability is one of their top concerns, too. Colorado particularly has an affordable housing problem; solving it won't happen by passing a single law. We need to address increasing rents, housing stock for first-time homebuyers, and rising insurance costs for current homeowners. To accomplish this, we'll need to reexamine zoning laws and development fees to incentivize building the types of homes we actually need, and we must invest in mitigating natural disaster damages that raise home insurance premiums. Studies show that stable housing leads to improved educational outcomes and increased long-term household wealth. When we invest in stable housing and home ownership, we are investing in the future of our children and our economy.”

“I'm a mom, devoted community volunteer, small business owner, and former pro-democracy nonprofit leader. I'm a westerner and moved to Colorado in 2016 with my husband and four children. I spent eight years as a leader in a national nonpartisan organization. In 2019 I co-founded a marine robotics company with my husband. My decades as a stay-at-home mom gave me time for volunteer leadership in schools, congregations, and neighborhoods. I'm running for the State House because I want to make the world a better place, and I'm committed to using my voice, skills, energy, and position to do it.”

“I spent almost a decade as a leader in a nonpartisan political advocacy organization, helping to mobilize thousands of women who come from different ideological backgrounds and political parties to work together. We advocated for issues such as the Child Tax Credit, humane immigration and refugee reform, environmental protections, and pro-democracy measures. Real solutions for real people only happen when we approach every conversation with respect and humility. District 19 needs a leader who is committed to curiosity, listening, and problem solving. That's me. I'd be honored to earn your vote in this primary election.”

“It's important to understand that Colorado spending is not suddenly wasteful; the Constitution requires a balanced budget each fiscal year. There are two main reasons why the Legislature had to make program cuts this year. First, huge tax breaks resulting from Trump's Big Beautiful Bill put an approximately $1 billion hole in the state budget. Second, the Legislature is constricted by TABOR caps that prevent Colorado from saving money in prosperous years and from adequately increasing spending to match actual costs.”

“Union Reservoir is in the northwest part of House District 19, easily accessible to local residents. It's close enough to my house that I've biked there with my kids with backpacks full of towels and snacks for a summer afternoon on the beach. I competed in my first sprint triathlon at Union Reservoir and trained for subsequent races during their summer evening open water swims. I have paddle boarded with my teens and sailed with friends who store a small boat at the Union Sailing Club. My son's Cub Scout troop has held fireside ceremonies in the camping area. And all of this is done with spectacular views of Longs Peak and other Front Range peaks.”