Senate District 25 candidate
Mary Hodge
Democrat

Experience
Elementary Teacher, Weld County District 6, Greeley; Glenwood Preschool, Glenwood Springs; Co-Owner/Manager - Chieftain Motel, Douglas, WY; Office Clerk, Yellow Freight Systems, Aurora; Office Manager, Roadway Express, Aurora; Corporate Secretary/Treasurer, Loyd Hodge and Sons, Inc., Brighton; State Representative, House District 30.

Education
Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, University of Northern Colorado.

Family
Husband, Richard; Children, Andrew, Jeffrey and Michael; Grandchildren Quinn and Truman.

Should the state revisit sentencing restrictions to reduce prison spending?
Yes.

Would you support an expansion of the state’s public school voucher program?
No.

Should Colorado pursue a four-day work week for state employees as a way of conserving energy and reducing energy bills?
This needs to be thought through thoroughly. We cannot have a reduction in services to our citizens. If the only savings is the gasoline being used to get to and from work while staggering schedules, it’s not meaningful.

With so many state “entitlements,” such as Medicaid and public schools, how can the state best increase spending on roads, bridges and other transportation projects?
Public private partnerships, tolling, an increase in revenue from sales.

Should the state increase taxes on gas and oil production in Colorado?
Yes.

How do you think Colorado unions would see you as a candidate? Pro-union or anti-union?
Pro-union.

Above all, what one thing should the state do to improve student performance in public schools?
Reduce class sizes.

Should the state convene a constitutional convention to investigate resolving budget problems with TABOR, Amendment 23 and the Gallagher Amendment?
No.

How would you judge the performance so far of Gov. Bill Ritter?
He’s doing a great job and is on target with what he said he’d do in his campaign.

Are you a dog or a cat person?
Dog

What food do you hate most?
Liver

The book you’d most like to read next?
Another Dr. Seuss or Shel Silverstein

The movie that made you laugh out loud the most?
“Animal House”

The “one food” you would want stuck on a deserted island?
Chocolate

The person you wish would run for U.S. president?
Hillary Clinton!

What personal feat are you most proud of?
Losing a lot of weight

What one question would you love to have answered and by whom?
Mr. President, why, really, did we go to Iraq?

Where do you recommend people from out of town eat?
El Jimador in Brighton, La Cueva in Aurora.