Jason Crow
Jason Crow, official portrait, 116th Congress.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Colorado's 6th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2019
Preceded byMike Coffman
Personal details
Born (1979-03-15) March 15, 1979 (age 43)
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseDeserai Anderson
Children2
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison (BA)
University of Denver (JD)
WebsiteHouse website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service2002–2006
RankCaptain
Unit82nd Airborne Division
75th Ranger Regiment
Battles/warsIraq War
War in Afghanistan
AwardsBronze Star Medal

Jason Crow (born March 15, 1979) is an American lawyer,[1] veteran, and politician serving as the United States representative for Colorado's 6th congressional district since 2019. Crow is the first member of the Democratic Party to represent the district, which encompasses several of Denver's eastern suburbs, including Aurora, Littleton, Centennial, and Thornton.

During his first term in Congress, Crow was an impeachment manager for President Donald Trump's first impeachment trial.[2]

Early life and career

Crow was born in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1979.[3] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2002, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2009.[4][5]

Crow is a former Army Ranger.[6] He served three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the 82nd Airborne Division and 75th Ranger Regiment. Crow took part in the Battle of Samawah in 2003 as a platoon leader in the 82nd Airborne Division; for his actions during the battle, he was awarded the Bronze Star. Crow served on the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs from 2009 to 2014. After service, Crow became partner with the Holland and Hart Law Firm.[7] In 2015, he received the University of Denver's Ammi Hyde Award for Recent Graduate Achievement.[8]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2018

See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado § District 6

On April 17, 2017, Crow announced his intention to run against four-term Republican incumbent Mike Coffman to represent Colorado's 6th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.[9][10]

In the Democratic primary, Crow defeated progressive businessman Levi Tillemann with nearly two-thirds of the vote.[11] He defeated Coffman in the November 6 general election[12] with 54% of the vote, winning two of the district's three counties.[13][14] He is the first Democrat to represent the district since its creation in 1982.

2020

See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado § District 6

Crow ran for election to a second term, and faced no opposition in the Democratic primary.[15] He defeated Steve House, former chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, in the November 3 general election[16] by over 17% of the vote, winning all three counties.[17]

Tenure

Crow described his experience during the storming of the Capitol: "I got into Ranger mode a little bit. Most of the members didn’t know how to use the emergency masks, so I was helping them get their emergency masks out of the bags and helped instruct a bunch of folks on how to put it on and how to use it." He also locked doors in the chamber, moved other lawmakers away from the doors, and directed them to "remove their pins so they weren’t identifiable in case the mob did break through". Crow held distressed Representative Susan Wild's hand, as captured in a photo that went viral.[18] He said, "I certainly haven’t felt that way since I was in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. I never in a million years would have thought I would have been experiencing that as a member of Congress in the U.S. Capitol."[19]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Abortion

Crow supports abortion rights. "I will always fight to protect a woman's right to choose. Women should have the right to make healthcare decisions that are right for them and their families. I have fought to protect a woman's right to choose, while simultaneously working to continue funding critical resources like Planned Parenthood."[22]

Foreign policy

During the Russo-Ukrainian War, Crow signed a letter advocating for President Biden to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.[23]

Gun control

Further information: Gun law in the United States and Gun politics in the United States

Crow voiced support for gun control reform while campaigning for the House of Representatives.[24] On February 28, 2019, he voted for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act (H.R.8) after cosponsoring the bill.[25] H.R.8, if passed, will require unlicensed gun sellers to conduct background checks on gun buyers. Crow is also a cosponsor of the Assault Weapon Ban Act (H.R.1296), which would limit access to guns that are considered assault weapons.[25]

Impeachment

On September 23, 2019, Crow was one of seven freshman lawmakers with national security backgrounds who shared an opinion essay in The Washington Post voicing their support for an impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump. In interviews, Crow said it was important that "the inquiry stay focused and proceed efficiently".[26] On January 15, 2020, Crow was selected as one of seven impeachment managers who presented the impeachment case against Trump during his trial before the United States Senate.[27][28]

LGBT rights

Crow supports same-sex marriage and the expansion of LGBT non-discrimination laws.[29] He supported President Barack Obama's repeal of Don't ask, don't tell at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.[30] He opposed President Trump's transgender military ban, cosponsoring an amendment to the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act to overturn the ban. In 2021, he supported the Equality Act.[31]

Special interests

Crow refused corporate PAC money during his campaign. He is a sponsor of the For the People Act of 2019, which would end gerrymandering and create automatic voter registration.[32] The bill would also prevent members of Congress from serving on corporate boards. It also seeks to eliminate dark money contributions.[32][33]

Electoral history

Democratic primary results, Colorado 2018[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jason Crow 49,851 65.93%
Democratic Levi Tillemann 25,757 34.07%
Total votes 75,608 100%
Colorado's 6th congressional district results, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jason Crow 187,639 54.10%
Republican Mike Coffman (incumbent) 148,685 42.87%
Libertarian Kat Martin 5,886 1.70%
Independent Dan Chapin 4,607 1.33%
Write-in 5 <0.01%
Total votes 346,822 100%
Democratic gain from Republican
Democratic primary results, Colorado 2020[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jason Crow (incumbent) 122,929 100%
Total votes 122,929 100%
Colorado's 6th congressional district results, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jason Crow (incumbent) 250,314 57.1%
Republican Steve House 175,192 40.0%
Libertarian Norm Olsen 9,083 2.1%
Unity Jaimie Kulikowski 3,884 0.9%
Total votes 438,473 100%
Democratic hold
Colorado's 6th congressional district results, 2022
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jason Crow (incumbent) 170,140 60.6%
Republican Steve Monahan 105,084 37.4%
Libertarian Eric Mulder 5,531 2.0%
Total votes 280,755 100%
Democratic hold

Personal life

Crow and his wife Deserai (née Anderson) have two children.[35]

References

  1. ^ "Who is Jason Crow? Impeachment manager is a former Army Ranger, attorney". January 16, 2020.
  2. ^ Kroll, Andy (February 14, 2020). "Can a Freshman Congressman Prosecute Trump for High Crimes -- and Still Keep His Faith in Humanity?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  3. ^ "Candidate Conversation - Jason Crow (D) | News & Analysis". Inside Elections. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  4. ^ "Jason Crow bio: Get to know the Democrat running in Colorado's 6th Congressional District". Coloradosun.com. October 12, 2018. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  5. ^ Your Name * (August 31, 2015). "University of Denver MagazineDU Law alum continues quest for learning | University of Denver Magazine". Magazine.du.edu. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  6. ^ Wade, Peter (January 23, 2021). "Sen. Tom Cotton Bragged He Was an 'Army Ranger.' He Was Not". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  7. ^ Scott, Ramsey (July 12, 2017). "Democrat Jason Crow set to move into 6th Congressional District to boost challenge to Coffman". Sentinel Colorado. Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  8. ^ The Denver Post, "People on the Move," 6 April 2015 [1] Archived October 6, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "Denver attorney Jason Crow to challenge Mike Coffman in 2018". The Denver Post. April 11, 2017. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  10. ^ "Democrat Jason Crow to challenge Coffman in Colorado's 6th". Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  11. ^ "A secret recording, a Bronze Star and "The Royal Tenenbaums" — the Democratic race to unseat Mike Coffman is flush with personality, politics". The Denver Post. May 23, 2018. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  12. ^ "Democrat Jason Crow defeats 5-term Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman | FOX31 Denver". Kdvr.com. Associated Press. November 6, 2018. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  13. ^ "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  14. ^ "Colorado Election Results: Sixth House District". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 31, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  15. ^ a b "June 30, 2020 Primary Election - Official Results". Colorado Secretary of State.
  16. ^ Frank, John (September 3, 2019). "A prominent Republican announces challenge to Jason Crow amid uncertainty GOP can win back 6th District". Colorado Politics. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  17. ^ "2020 General Election - Official Compiled Results". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  18. ^ Britzky, Haley (January 7, 2021). "This Army Ranger-turned-Congressman was last out of the House chamber during the Capitol riots". Task & Purpose. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  19. ^ Paul, Jesse (January 6, 2021). ""We were getting ready to make a stand": Colorado congressmen recount harrowing moments as rioters approached". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  20. ^ "Members". New Democrat Coalition. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  21. ^ "Committees and Caucuses". Representative Jason Crow. December 13, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  22. ^ Source: 2018 CO-6 House campaign website JasonCrowForCongress.com, May 4, 2020.
  23. ^ O'Brien, Connor. "Democrats, Republicans join up to urge Biden to send F-16s to Ukraine". Politico. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  24. ^ Nielsen, Ella. "Democratic House candidate Jason Crow thinks he can run on gun control - and win" Archived March 6, 2019, at the Wayback MachineVox April 17, 2018. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  25. ^ a b "Rep. Jason Crow Votes to Pass Universal Background Checks" (Press release). Washington D.C. February 27, 2019. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  26. ^ The Denver Post, "Trump gives swing-district Democrats like Jason Crow new cause to back inquiry," 8 Oct 2019 [2] Archived October 10, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
  27. ^ Wilkie, Christina (January 15, 2020). "Pelosi taps Schiff, Nadler and 5 others as Trump impeachment managers". CNBC. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  28. ^ The New York Times "Jason Crow: Impeachment Manager Who Pressed to Launch Inquiry", 15 Jan 2020 [3] Archived January 15, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
  29. ^ "Values".
  30. ^ Committee, 2012 Democratic National Convention. "2012 Democratic National Convention: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Jason Crow, Captain, U.S. Army (ret.)". www.prnewswire.com.
  31. ^ "2.25 Equality Act Passes in U.S. House of Representatives". February 25, 2021.
  32. ^ a b "Rep. Jason Crow Sponsors Bill To End Gerrymandering, 'Dark Money'". CBS Denver. January 9, 2019. Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  33. ^ Montellaro, Zach. "House passes sweeping election reform bill". POLITICO.
  34. ^ "2018 Colorado Democratic primary election results". Archived from the original on June 22, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  35. ^ Gray, Haley (January 15, 2019). "Meet Jason Crow, One of Colorado's Newest Representatives". 5280. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jason Crow.
U.S. House of Representatives Preceded byMike Coffman Member of the U.S. House of Representativesfrom Colorado's 6th congressional district 2019–present Incumbent U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) Preceded byDan Crenshaw United States representatives by seniority 243rd Succeeded bySharice Davids
Colorado's current delegation to the United States Congress
Current members of the United States House of Representatives
Members of the United States House of Representatives from Colorado
Colorado's delegation(s) to the 116th–117th United States Congresses (ordered by seniority)
First impeachment and impeachment trial of Donald Trump
Authority control
Categories