Kevin Priola
Kevin Priola (Democratic Party) was a member of the Colorado State Senate, representing District 13. He assumed office on January 9, 2023. He left office on January 8, 2025.
Priola (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Colorado State Senate to represent District 25. He won in the general election on November 3, 2020.
On August 22, 2022, Priola announced that he was leaving the Republican Party and would register as a Democrat. Priola said in a statement, "I cannot continue to be a part of a political party that is okay with a violent attempt to overturn a free and fair election and continues to peddle claims that the 2020 election was stolen."[1] To learn more about state legislators who have switched political party affiliation, click here.
Biography
Kevin Priola earned his B.S. in finance and accounting with a minor in economics from the University of Colorado, Boulder. His professional experience includes serving as the vice president and treasurer for Priola Greenhouses and CAP Land Company.
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at:editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024
Priola was assigned to the following committees:
- Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
- Senate Finance Committee
- Transportation and Energy Committee, Vice Chair
- Technology Committee, Chair
2021-2022
Priola was assigned to the following committees:
- Technology Committee
- Treatment of Persons with Mental Health Disorders in the Criminal Justice System Committee
- Business, Labor, and Technology Committee
- Senate Education Committee
2019-2020
Priola was assigned to the following committees:
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Colorado committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Business, Labor and Technology |
| • Education, Vice chair |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Priola served on the following committees:
| Colorado committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Finance |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Priola served on the following committees:
| Colorado committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Finance |
| • Legislative Council |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Priola served on these committees:
| Colorado committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Economic and Business Development |
| • Legislative Council |
| • Transportation |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Priola served on these committees:
| Colorado committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Business Affairs and Labor |
| • Joint Business Affairs and Labor |
| • Local Government |
| • Joint Local Government |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
- See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2024
Kevin Priola was not able to file for re-election due to term limits.
2020
See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for Colorado State Senate District 25
Incumbent Kevin Priola defeated Paula Dickerson in the general election for Colorado State Senate District 25 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kevin Priola (R) | 50.8 | 37,195 | |
| Paula Dickerson (D) | 49.2 | 35,968 | ||
| Total votes: 73,163 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Colorado State Senate District 25
Paula Dickerson advanced from the Democratic primary for Colorado State Senate District 25 on June 30, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Paula Dickerson | 100.0 | 15,477 | |
| Total votes: 15,477 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Christina Fuller (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Colorado State Senate District 25
Incumbent Kevin Priola advanced from the Republican primary for Colorado State Senate District 25 on June 30, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kevin Priola | 100.0 | 11,135 | |
| Total votes: 11,135 | ||||
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2016
- See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Colorado State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 4, 2016.[2] Incumbent Mary Hodge (D) did not seek re-election.
Kevin Priola defeated Jenise May in the Colorado State Senate District 25 general election.[3][4]
| Colorado State Senate, District 25 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Kevin Priola |
52.07% | 30,074 | |
| Democratic | Jenise May | 47.93% | 27,678 | |
| Total Votes | 57,752 | |||
| Source: Colorado Secretary of State | ||||
Jenise May ran unopposed in the Colorado State Senate District 25 Democratic primary.[5][6]
| Colorado State Senate, District 25 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Jenise May (unopposed) | |
Kevin Priola ran unopposed in the Colorado State Senate District 25 Republican primary.[5][6]
| Colorado State Senate, District 25 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Kevin Priola (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for the Colorado House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 31, 2014. Vicki A. Snider was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while incumbent Kevin Priola was unopposed in the Republican primary. Priola defeated Snider and Chris Baerns (L) in the general election.[7][8][9][10]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kevin Priola Incumbent |
63.1% | 20,627 | |
| Democratic | Vicki A. Snider | 32.5% | 10,629 | |
| Libertarian | Chris Baerns | 4.4% | 1,439 | |
| Total Votes | 32,695 | |||
2012
Priola won re-election in the 2012 election for Colorado House of Representatives District 56 due to redistricting. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary on June 26, 2012. He defeated David Rose (D) and Will Hiltscher (L) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[11]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kevin Priola Incumbent |
58.8% | 22,270 | |
| Democratic | Dave Rose | 37.1% | 14,070 | |
| Libertarian | Will Hiltscher | 4.1% | 1,544 | |
| Total Votes | 37,884 | |||
2010
Priola ran for re-election to the 30th District seat in 2010. He had no opposition in the August 10 primary. Priola defeated Laura Huerta in the November 2 general election.
| Colorado House of Representatives, District 30 General election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Kevin Priola (R)
|
10,612 | |||
| Laura Huerta (D) | 6,931 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Priola won election to the 30th District seat in the Colorado House of Representatives, defeating opponent Dave Rose (D).[12]
Priola raised $67,464 for his campaign, while Rose raised $40,403.[13]
| Colorado State House, District 30 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Kevin Priola (R)
|
11,936 | |||
| Dave Rose (D) | 11,505 | |||
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Kevin Priola did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Priola's campaign website highlighted the following issues:
| “ |
Energy Kevin Priola supports a balanced energy plan that will help lower energy prices and end our dependence on foreign oil. Kevin Priola believes that we should expand domestic oil and natural gas exploration along with working on new technologies, wind and solar. This will create American jobs and bring down energy costs for working families. Immigration Kevin Priola understands that immigration is a federal issue and needs to be addressed in Washington. He believes that our borders must be secure, especially post 9/11. We must look to expand legal avenues such as H2B and H2A Visas. Agricultural Policies America’s agricultural industry is the best in the world. Kevin will work to expand access for Colorado agricultural producers to foreign markets, providing a great and lasting benefit to farmers. He will work tirelessly to ensure that our farmers have water to grow their crops, labor to harvest them, and the ability to attain fair prices for their products. Colorado Heritage Kevin Priola pursues common sense stewardship of our natural resources. He is committed to ensuring clean air and clean water, and to preserving open space. He is an avid sportsman who fights to preserve Colorado’s beauty for generations to come. Education Excellence, choice and competition are high priorities in American education. Kevin understands that we are a nation committed to equal opportunity, and there is no equal opportunity without equal access to an excellent education. Economy Kevin is committed to a pro-growth, pro-jobs strategy to get our state economy back on track. Kevin focuses on taking the short-term actions needed to spur growth to help Colorado families, while planning ahead to ensure that the state is on the path to prosperity in the future. He opposes new taxes and fee increases.[14] |
” |
| —Kevin Priola[15] | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Colorado scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
In 2024, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 10 to May 8.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on issues relevant to the mission of the Centennial Institute and the strategic priorities of Colorado Christian University.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes.
- Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability."
- Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills about Colorado's climate, land, water, and communities.
- Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues.
- Legislators are scored on votes related to "the principles of individual rights, free markets and limited government."
- Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 9 to May 8.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 12 to May 11.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 13 to June 8.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 8 to June 15.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 4 through May 3.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the 72nd Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 10 through May 9.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the 71st Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 10. There was also a special session from October 2-3.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the second session of the 70th Colorado General Assembly was in session from January 13 through May 11.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the first session of the 70th Colorado General Assembly was in session from January 7 through May 6.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the 69th Colorado General Assembly was in session from January 8 to May 7.
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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the 69th Colorado General Assembly was in session from January 9 to May 9.
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Endorsements
2012
Kevin Priola endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.[16]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Priola and his wife, Michelle, have three children.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Axios, "Colorado lawmaker leaves GOP citing Jan. 6 attack and Trump," August 22, 2022
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Elections & Voting," accessed October 6, 2015
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "General election candidates," accessed August 16, 2016
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "2016 General Election results," accessed December 14, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Colorado Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Election Candidate List," accessed May 3, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Colorado Secretary of State, "June 28, 2016 Primary Election," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Official primary candidate list," accessed May 1, 2014
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Official primary election results," accessed June 25, 2014
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Official general election candidate list," accessed July 23, 2014
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Official general election results," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Official 2012 Primary election results," accessed April 14, 2014
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "2008 General election results," accessed April 14, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Funds raised by 2008 House candidates," accessed April 14, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Kevin Priola, "Issues," accessed October 6, 2016
- ↑ Mitt Romney for President, "Mitt Romney Announces Support of Minnesota Leaders," February 4, 2012
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Cooke (R) |
Colorado State Senate District 13 2023-2025 |
Succeeded by Scott Bright (R) |
| Preceded by - |
Colorado State Senate District 25 2017-2023 |
Succeeded by Faith Winter (D) |
| Preceded by - |
Colorado House of Representatives District 56 2009-2017 |
Succeeded by - |
