Daniel Hassler

Daniel Hassler was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He graduated from Windsor High School and went on to attend AIMS Community College, the University of Colorado Boulder, and Metropolitan State University of Denver. His career experience includes owning a consulting firm. He previously worked for more than 25 years as a business consultant. Hassler has been affiliated with the Sons of the American Legion at the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Post 11-11.[1]

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Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased July 17, 2025

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Daniel Hassler, a lifelong Coloradan, small business owner, husband, and proud Democrat running for Congress to restore authenticity and accountability to politics. I grew up in poverty and understand firsthand the struggles families face when opportunity feels out of reach. Through hard work and perseverance, I built a successful 25-year career helping thousands of small businesses grow, training and mentoring business consultants around the world.

I’m not a career politician — I’m someone who believes government should work for people, not special interests. My campaign is about dignity, opportunity, and rebuilding trust between voters and their representatives. I’m committed to policies that strengthen the middle class, make healthcare and housing affordable, protect reproductive rights, and defend democracy itself.

Colorado’s 8th District deserves a leader who listens, who’s unbought and unbossed, and who puts country over party. I’m running to serve — not to be served — and to ensure every family has the chance to thrive, just as mine once struggled to do.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I’m running to restore authenticity and integrity to Congress. Voters are tired of politicians who serve donors and special interests instead of the people who elected them. I’ll fight to make government accountable, transparent, and rooted in common sense — where public service is truly about service, not self-interest.Working families deserve an economy that works for them. I’ll champion small businesses, expand access to affordable housing, and support policies that grow good-paying jobs while tackling the rising costs of healthcare and everyday living. Economic stability shouldn’t be a privilege — it should be the foundation of the American dream.We must move beyond political division and put country over party. I believe in listening first, finding common ground, and leading with respect. I’ll represent every voice in Colorado’s 8th District — Democrat, Republican, or Independent — with fairness, compassion, and courage.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about restoring public service to its true purpose — representing people, not politicians or special interests. My campaign is about giving Colorado’s 8th District authentic, responsive leadership rooted in integrity and results. I’m focused on addressing the rising cost of living, making housing and healthcare affordable, supporting small businesses and working families, protecting reproductive freedom, investing in education and mental health, and defending democracy with honesty, empathy, and courage.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, integrity, and empathy are the foundation of true public service. Elected officials must be transparent, accountable, and guided by a genuine desire to serve — not to self-promote. Voters deserve representatives who listen first, tell the truth even when it’s difficult, and make decisions based on what’s right for the people they represent. I believe leadership means doing the right thing when no one is watching, treating others with respect, and never forgetting that this job is about service, not status.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibility of a member of Congress is to represent the people — not special interests, not party leadership, and not donors. That means listening to constituents, understanding their challenges, and fighting every day to make their lives better. It also means legislating with integrity, communicating honestly, and staying accountable for the promises made. Beyond votes and bills, the job is about service: helping families navigate federal agencies, supporting small businesses, and ensuring that every voice in the district is heard and respected.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was about five or six during the 1980 presidential election. I remember watching the news and hearing that President Carter and Ronald Reagan were “running a race.” In my young mind, I pictured them literally sprinting side by side—and I thought whoever won the race would be president. It still makes me laugh when I think about it, but that was my first memory of politics.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I’ve always been motivated to earn my own money. When I was about seven, I went door-to-door selling greeting cards and stationery from a catalog. My first real job, though, was as a paperboy for the Greeley Tribune. It taught me responsibility early—getting up before sunrise, meeting deadlines, and earning every dollar I made.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The U.S. House of Representatives is the people’s chamber — the most directly accountable body in our democracy. Its members are elected every two years, ensuring they remain closely connected to the voices, needs, and concerns of the people they serve. The House reflects the diversity and dynamism of our nation, allowing ideas from every corner of America to be heard. At its best, the House embodies representative government — responsive, transparent, and rooted in service to the people, not to power.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

For some offices, such as President, governor, or a Supreme Court justice, prior government experience is essential. But the U.S. House of Representatives was designed to reflect the people — not the political class. I believe Congress benefits when members come from diverse walks of life and understand the real-world challenges families and small businesses face. Too often, politics is dominated by insiders with titles and connections. What we need are representatives with empathy, integrity, and firsthand experience living and working in the communities they serve.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Here are the biggest challenges I see for the next decade—and they’re interconnected:

Restoring trust in democracy. We must reduce corruption and dark-money influence, protect voting rights, and counter disinformation so people believe their voice matters.

An economy that actually works for families. Tackle the cost of living (housing, healthcare, childcare), support small businesses and workers, and invest in skills that lead to good jobs.

The technology transition. Manage AI and automation responsibly, protect privacy, and modernize education so Americans can thrive.

National resilience. Secure but humane immigration reform, stronger supply chains and infrastructure, and serious climate readiness.

Above all: country over party, results over rhetoric.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

I respect and honor the Constitution as it was written, including the two-year term for members of the House. The framers designed it to keep representatives close to the people, and I value that accountability. Personally, I think two years is a short window to legislate effectively, and I could support a modest extension — perhaps to three or four years — if it came through a constitutional amendment supported by the states. But until then, I’m content with the current system because it ensures voters maintain real, frequent control over who represents them.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I strongly support term limits for all public offices — including members of Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court. No one should make a lifelong career out of holding power. Public office is a privilege and a responsibility, not a profession.

When our democracy was first imagined, the Greeks understood that self-government worked best when citizens took turns serving the community. In Athens, nearly every citizen participated in governance at some point in their lives, and term limits were built into the system to prevent corruption and ensure fresh perspectives. Leadership was seen as a civic duty — a rotation of service, not a lifetime entitlement.

That same principle applies today. Term limits help renew democracy by ensuring accountability, limiting the influence of entrenched power, and encouraging new leaders to step forward with fresh ideas and energy. When elected officials know their time in office is limited, they tend to focus more on results and less on political survival.

Far too often, we see politicians spend decades in office, more connected to donors and party leadership than to the people they represent. That’s not what public service was ever meant to be. I believe in a system where leaders serve honorably, make an impact, and then return to private life — allowing others to contribute their talents in turn.

In short, term limits keep government closer to the people, prevent stagnation, and ensure our democracy continues to evolve with each new generation of leaders.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I’ve always respected representatives who lead with both conviction and compassion. Joseph P. Kennedy III stands out to me for his genuine commitment to people over politics. His passion for serving everyday Americans, and his belief that leadership means listening and showing up for the community you represent, truly resonate with me. I share that same conviction — that public service isn’t about personal ambition or party loyalty, but about doing what’s right for the people you serve.

I also deeply respect former Representative Adam Kinzinger for his courage to put country over party, even at the cost of his political career. His willingness to stand on principle rather than follow partisan pressure is the kind of integrity our democracy needs more of.

Both Kennedy and Kinzinger represent qualities I value most in leadership — compassion, honesty, accountability, and moral courage. That’s the spirit I intend to bring to Colorado’s 8th District: to listen first, speak honestly, and always put people before politics.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I’ve heard many stories that speak to the challenges people face, but I prefer to share them only when I can do them justice and with permission.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes — I believe compromise is both necessary and desirable for good policymaking. The best solutions are rarely one-sided. When leaders listen to one another, respect differing perspectives, and focus on outcomes instead of ideology, we make progress that lasts. In a district as diverse as Colorado’s 8th, true leadership means finding common ground without abandoning core values. Compromise isn’t weakness — it’s how democracy works. It’s how we move the country forward together.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

The House’s power to originate revenue bills is one of its most direct tools to shape national priorities. I would use that responsibility to ensure taxpayer dollars are invested in ways that strengthen working families, small businesses, and local communities—not corporate interests or political donors. Every spending decision reflects values, and mine would focus on accountability, transparency, and measurable results that improve people’s daily lives.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

Use it for oversight, not theater. The House should investigate to safeguard taxpayer dollars, protect civil liberties, and ensure laws are carried out as written. That means focusing on waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption—whether in federal agencies or in private contractors taking public money.

Principles I’d apply:

Evidence first. Open the facts to the public and release reports on time.

Narrow scopes and clear objectives. No fishing expeditions; every probe should have defined questions and a completion date.

Bipartisan process. Subpoena power used sparingly and with minority consultation.

Protect whistleblowers and witnesses. Retaliation chills truth.

Follow-through. Track whether agencies implement recommendations and publish progress.

Priorities for me: misuse of public funds, price-fixing or anti-competitive practices that raise costs for families, foreign influence and undisclosed lobbying, and breakdowns that harm veterans, seniors, or small businesses. Oversight done this way restores trust and delivers corrective action, not headlines.

What role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?

The federal government should set clear guardrails for AI while ensuring the benefits reach everyone—not just large corporations. My priorities would be:

Protecting rights and privacy: Require transparency, data safeguards, and independent audits for high-risk AI systems.

Promoting safety and accountability: Establish testing standards, prohibit deceptive deepfakes, and secure critical infrastructure.

Supporting workers and innovation: Invest in education, small business access to AI tools, and public-interest research that serves communities.

Done right, AI policy can expand opportunity and strengthen trust in both technology and government.

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States?

I’d support legislation that makes voting secure, efficient, and accessible for every American. First, we need modern, reliable equipment and enough trained poll workers so people aren’t stuck in long lines or facing breakdowns on Election Day. Second, every federal election should use paper ballots and require risk-limiting audits to verify results and build public trust. Third, we must protect voters from misinformation and make sure everyone—seniors, people with disabilities, and those in rural areas—can easily understand when, where, and how to vote.

The goal is simple: elections people can trust, run by systems that work for everyone.