For anyone who prides themselves on voting for the person and not the party, there is no easier vote this election than a vote for Barbara McLachlan. She has been remarkably successful in sponsoring and passing bills that benefit our teachers and students, law enforcement, farmers, local tribes and small businesses, to name a few. All but three or her 50 bills last session received bipartisan support.

Hers are not big flashy bills; McLachlan is not running on ideology. They are the kind of legislation that makes our day to day lives better – what government is supposed to do. McLachlan has been in the Colorado House since 2017 and is chair of the Education Committee and serves on the Joint Water Resources Committee and Agriculture, Livestock and Water Committee. Unlike her opponent, who is very new to this state, McLachlan understands the issues that matter to us here in Southwest Colorado.

This next term will be her last due to term limits, and with new district boundaries this could be a close race despite McLachlan’s excellent record and ever-growing voter support in previous elections.

Deborah Paulson

Durango