Michael Johnston

Michael Johnston was born in Vail, Colorado, in 1974.[1] He earned a B.A. in English and philosophy from Yale University in 1997, an M.Ed. in education policy and school administration from Harvard University in 2000, and a J.D. from Yale University in 2003. Johnston's career experience includes working as the president and CEO of Gary Community Ventures, the principal of Joan Farley Academy, and an English teacher at Greenville High School. He co-founded Mapleton Public Schools and New Leaders for New Schools.[3]

Michael Johnston did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2023 Candidate Connection survey.

Michael Johnston did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

At a time when the world can seem hopelessly divided, I’m running for Governor because we can only get big things done in Colorado if we have the courage to cross those divides. I’m proud of the fact that as a state Senator, 100 of the 120 bills I passed had Republican co-sponsors. As Governor, I will continue to promote progressive values by building coalitions across our state. My top three priorities as Governor are as follows:

1. Go to the ballot to repeal the worst parts of TABOR so that the state can keep excess revenue generated in good economic times to reinvest it in the areas that need it most. I’ll dedicate much of these funds to strengthening the education system, including increasing teacher pay. 2. Increase access to high-quality affordable healthcare by launching a public option for medicaid, expanding CHIP coverage to include all children, regardless of immigration status, and passing legislation that requires pricing transparency so Coloradans can know what their care will cost. 3. Take the lead in creating more affordable housing statewide through innovative partnerships that will allow the state to use state land to develop affordable housing.[42][43]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

As a former school leader and principal, I am passionate about education and ensuring that every child in our state has access to a high quality education. That's why, as a senator, I passed Colorado's ASSET bill, giving undocumented students in Colorado access to in-state tuition for higher education. I also passed the largest legislative investment in K-12 in recent history, including funding for at-risk students in early elementary, to ensure we provide them the supports they need to become readers by the time they enter fourth grade. I launched my campaign with a policy idea called the Colorado Promise, which gives all Coloradans - of any age and any stage in their career - access to up to two years of debt-free college or skills training in exchange for service to the state. We know the economy is changing and the demands of tomorrow will require new skills and training for Coloradans to provide for their families with a good-paying job, and the Colorado Promise will help make that possible.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[43]

[the profile publisher] also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Mike Johnston answered the following:

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

The candidates running for office will tell you the things that they care about, but I want to tell you a few things that I don't care about, because I think these are the types of values and characteristics that matter most. I don't care who you love, or how you worship. I don't care where you were born, or what your status is. I don't care if you're a Republican or a Democrat or don't belong to any party at all. If you're looking to divide Colorado, I will stand in your way. But if you want to do right by the families who live here, then let's stand together.[43]

Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?

Some of our best Governors in recent history have come from the State Legislature and because they know the people and the rules of those two houses, they are more effective and getting things done alongside state Legislators. I believe a Governor should be active in laying out priorities and using his or her pulpit to prioritize those. I also believe that a Governor and and should call upon the deep coalitions created during a campaign to bring constituents into the governing process so they have a voice in setting priorities and working with their elected officials to get things passed.[43]

What do you love most about your state?

People ask me all the time what it’s like to run for Governor. When I tell them it is an unspeakable gift, they look at me like I’m crazy. Back in May, we completed our tour of all 64 counties in Colorado, and if you had the chance to join me along any part of that journey, you would understand why this campaign has flown by in an instant, like a whirlwind romance that sweeps you off your feet and eliminates all sense of space and time.

I can only say that if you've ever seen 6 deer crossing a street in Ridgway on your way to dinner at the Colorado Boy, seen the sun set over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Westcliffe, seen a show at the Creede Repertory Theatre, or watched your kids place bets on how long it takes to make an old truck engine explode at the Baca County Fair, you would know. Or if you visited the last grocery store in Walsh, saved by the community when they had none, or listened to man in Routt County talk about how he worked all day in the fields on December 7, 1941 just so he could make enough money for the bus fare to Denver to join the U.S. Army in the war against Hitler, you would know.

If you've driven a harvesting combine in Byers, visited the Overland Trail Museum in Sterling, dug yourself out of a snowbank on Red Mountain Pass in a blizzard, eaten both cherry and apple cobbler for breakfast at Pagosa Baking Company, had the breakfast special at Moose Creek Cafe in Walden, been to the Wolf and Wildlife Center in Teller County, ridden the giant canyon swing in Glenwood Springs or climbed into a wind tower in Fleming, visited Doc Holliday’s grave in Garfield County or Oscar Wilde’s favorite bar in Leadville or Teddy Roosevelt’s favorite room at the Meeker Hotel, been to the Palisade Peach Festival or seen the sunrise launch of the Creede Balloon Festival in Mineral County, eaten the flat enchiladas at All Gon in Fort Garland, or the burger at 4th Street Diner next door to the haunted Saguache Hotel, or been to the Hippodrome Arts Centre in Julesburg, had the stuffed jalapeños at the Dish Room in Burlington, been to the Turtle Race in Cheyenne Wells, or tried the whiskey at Elkins Distilling Co. in Estes Park, you would know.

If you had joined us at any of those stops, you would wake up every day breathless at how grateful you are to live in Colorado, just like me.[43]