Diane E. Mitsch Bush[1] (born February 17, 1950)[2] is an American politician and retired sociology professor who served as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives. She was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2018 and 2020 elections in Colorado's 3rd congressional district, losing both times.[3]
Diane Mitsch Bush | |
---|---|
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 26th district | |
In office January 9, 2013 – November 2, 2017 | |
Preceded by | Andy Kerr |
Succeeded by | Dylan Roberts |
Personal details | |
Born | Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. | February 17, 1950
Political party | Democratic |
Education | University of Minnesota (BA, MA, PhD) |
Website | Campaign website |
Mitsch Bush graduated with a BA in sociology in 1975. She later earned a Master of Arts and PhD in sociology and social policy, both from the University of Minnesota.[4]
Prior to 2012, Mitsch Bush served as a commissioner of Routt County, Colorado.[5] She then served as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives for the 26th district from January 9, 2013, to November 2, 2017, after which she resigned to focus on her campaign for Congress.[6][7][8]
In 2013, Mitsch Bush voted for universal background checks and magazine limits in Colorado.[9]
In 2016, Mitsch Bush co-sponsored and voted to require state contractors to comply with federal equal pay standards.[10]
Mitsch Bush sponsored the bipartisan Debt-free Schools Act in Colorado in 2016, later signed by the governor, to increase public school funding in Colorado.[11]
Mitsch Bush served as a member on the Colorado House Committee for Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources from 2013-2017, serving as the Vice Chair in 2017.[12]
In July 2017, Mitsch Bush announced her candidacy for the congressional seat held by Scott Tipton, and won the Democratic nomination in June 2018.[3][13] She was defeated in the general election by Tipton by eight percentage points.[14]
Mitsch Bush was the nominee in the 2020 election after defeating seafood executive James Iacino. She faced Lauren Boebert, a restaurant owner from Rifle, Colorado, who defeated Tipton in the Republican primary. She lost the November 3, 2020 general election by five percentage points.[15]
Mitsch Bush has lived in Steamboat Springs, Colorado since 1976.[16] Mitsch Bush is married to Michael Paul.[17][18]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Lauren Boebert | 215,279 | 51.27 | |
Democratic | Diane Mitsch Bush | 190,695 | 45.41 | |
Libertarian | John Keil | 9,841 | 2.34 | |
Unity | Critter Milton | 4,104 | 0.98 | |
Total votes | 419,919 | 100.0 |
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