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6 BOCNEWS.comJUNE 2016 Body of Christ News talked to several poli- ticians seeking re-election or running for office for the first time. What are these individuals going to bring to the table in helping better the African- American communities What Do Candidates Offer Black Community POLITICS Michele Wheeler Michele Wheeler is running for state rep- resentative for House District 7 that cov- ers the communities northeast of Denver. Wheeler believes she has a lot to bring to the table if elected. I bring experience in having worked in the communities for nearly 20 years. I know the movers and shakers. Ive been at the table breaking ground. And I have been in the court rooms advocating for community members expresses Wheeler. She has also worked in the DAs office and knows the process of the criminal system and how all the political pieces fit together. Wheelers background in urban and regional planning doesnt hurt as well in seeking one of the states highest offices in order to represent the people. State Rep. Rhonda Fields State Rep. Rhonda Fields was first elected into office in 2010 to the Colorado General Assembly in 2010. She represents District 42 which includes Aurora and other cities in Arapahoe County. Last year Rep. Fields her daughter and Pastor Reid Hettich opened the Dayton Street Opportunity Center located 1445 Dayton Street in Aurora. Its a resource center focused on helping children in the community and ensuring they do not fall victims to crime lack of healthcare and other resources needed to become more self-sufficient empowered and productive citizens. The Fields Foundation was set up to help children get a fair and safe head start into adulthood despite the circumstances they grow up in. Rep. Fields son was murdered tragically 10 years ago while driving down the same street -Dayton Street in Aurora where the center is now located. As Rep. Fields seeks re-election she feels there needs to be a champion in the state house fighting for the people. We need a champion. A champion that will address the issues and challenges that we face every day. A champion needs to understand what is going on in the commu- nity claims Rep. Fields. I feel I am that voice. I hear some of the pain and struggles that people are confront- ed with and I want to continue lending my voice to those concerns. James Coleman James Coleman is running for state rep- resentative for House District 7. His ambition drive and leadership abilities comes from a strong spiritual background considering his father is the Evangelist James Coleman. Coleman claims he understands the chal- lenges that face our community and wants to be that strong voice in the state capital to work for the good of families and their children. I plan to make sure our children have the best education public charter or private schools Coleman explains. We need to focus on increasing more dollars into our traditional public school system. Right now we are the lowest funded state for educa- tion in this country. We have a billion dollar deficit in education. So we need to increase funding to make sure our children have the best education. State Rep. Angela Williams State Rep. Angela Williams currently serves in the Colorado General Assembly representing District 7. She was first elect- ed back in 2010. She is seeking to be elected as state senator for House District 33. This includes culturally diverse area in northeast Denver between Five Points and Denver International Airport. Rep. Williams has been a political voice in the community a business owner of an insurance agency for nearly 14 years and a mother who raised her son by herself. With bigger ambitions Rep. Williams believes she can do more for not just those communities she represents but those black communities and help move the state forward. Representation for our African American communities here in our state is critically important. I want to make sure there is equality for all. We are a people who have businesses. We are a people who send our kids to good schools work hard and want good living wages states Rep. Williams We need to make sure we have a voice in moving African American communities for- ward in this state not backward or status quo. Williams plans to open a community office that will give her more accessibility to the community. And she says I would like to create a task force on those issues that are impor- tant to our community so I can fight for the right things down at the state house. Meet state senate candidate Angela Williams during a backyard barbeque event on Saturday June 4 at 5071 Xanadu Street in Denver. Eric Nelson Eric Nelson is running for state represen- tative for House District 42. He is currently secretary for the board of education with Aurora Public Schools. Nelson is on a political mission to make a difference. The difference I can make once I am elected to the state house is taking that experience I have gained on the school board holding several leadership positions locally and around the state being vice- president of the NAACP and advocating for civil rights will help me continue providing effective representation for the people. Nelson strongly believes that growing the middle class is the most feasible way of improving the economy. Michael Carrigan Michael Carrigan is running for Denver District Attorney. His philosophy is having a smart modern approach to public safety through collabo- ration engagement and accountability. He believes he can make a tremendous difference if elected. This is a critical time for criminal justice reform and we need new leadership states Carrigan. Carrigan has been endorsed by the Denver Metro Ministerial Alliance Mayor Michael Hancock former mayor Wellington Webb and other leaders within the black com- munities. They support me because I am the person who can bring about lasting change and make sure the criminal jus- tice system treats everyone with equality. Carrigan adds he plans to promote after school programs and weekend activities to help keep young people from falling in the cracks and into the criminal system. His goal is to improve juvenile justice programs and reduce nonviolent offenders in jails and prisons. He is also adamant about being aggressive when going after gun offenders possessing selling and buying guns illegally. PRIMARY ELECTION JUNE 28By Sheila L. Smith