Notice: As you may know, the unofficial total in Dave’s race for the House 24 seat shows him trailing Sue Schafer by just 17 votes, 2,454 to 2437. There are still provisional ballots to be counted, so these numbers will likely change. The campaign is also considering a recount request. As the great Yogi Berra, I believe, said, "It ain't over till it's over..." Let's see where we are at when everyone's vote is counted. That is the democratic process.

Message from Dave: “I thank each and every supporter and volunteer for your assistance in conducting this campaign. I am humbled and deeply gratified by the outpouring of support and the countless hours people have spent so far walking, calling, putting up yard signs and doing other things on behalf of my campaign. Many have called since the primary with further support. Just this afternoon, both my mailperson and an XCEL maintenance technician who came to my door, said they supported and voted for me. I have enjoyed meeting all of you over the past 10 months and I will keep you informed on the website of any further developments. I look forward to serving the people of District 24 and of the rest of Jefferson County.”

March, 2008

DAVE IS ON THE BALLOT!

“Thank you, Jeffco Democrats!” were Dave’s comments following the House 24 Assembly vote on March 15th. Dave received over 45% of the vote, easily making the Democratic ballot for the August 12 primary. Dave began campaigning in late 2007 and the vote reflected the inroads his campaign has made to date. Many party leaders were surprised at the strength of the Ruchman campaign. He said, “It shows lots of work by my many volunteers.”

Dave’s speech to delegates rang with substantive commitments on the issues. The energy of our campaign drew attention of many party leaders and is emblematic of the energy Dave will bring to the Legislature.

Now the campaign really needs your help. Volunteers are needed to support the many tasks necessary for success. No effort is too small, and there is something every one can do. Please indicate your willingness – all volunteers will soon be contacted to identify the skills and time each can bring to the campaign The energy of our campaign drew attention of many party leaders and is emblematic of the energy Dave will bring to the Legislature.

Watch this website for further announcements!

January, 2008

It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your RTD representative for the past eight years. I am now running for the Democratic nomination for House District 24. This legislative seat will be open in 2008 because our current representative, Cheri Jahn, is term limited. I write to ask for your vote and support to replace her.

My years of public service as an Administrative Law Judge, as your elected representative on the RTD Board of Directors, as a community leader, and an active Jefferson County Democrat have prepared me to represent our community effectively.

So far, people in our community have told me they most care about:

• Educating Colorado’s Children
• Building A Greener Colorado
• Offering Smarter Health Care
• Elevating Higher Education
• Improving Transportation Infrastructure & Mobility

To be fully effective as your legislator, however, I would like to get to know you and understand what you expect from me. To that end, I would like to meet with you in person at a convenient time and place. Please call [303 238 8424] or email at your earliest convenience so we can schedule time to visit in person.

I look forward to meeting you. Thanks and here's to a great campaign.

Sincerely,

Dave Ruchman

Democrat, Colorado House District 24

Dave Ruchman’s Biographical Background

Education:
Dave Ruchman’s parents, both public school teachers, gave him a strong grounding in right and wrong, and a love of learning.  He went on from Johns Hopkins University, where he majored in history, to Stanford, where he did advanced graduate work in American history.   He received a law degree from University of Denver and was awarded two American Jurisprudence Awards for outstanding academic performance.   He is a member of the Colorado Bar.

Professional Experience:
Ruchman founded and directed a nonprofit business, the Chicago Metro History Fair, an innovative social studies research and skills-building program that worked with Chicago area students, encouraging research projects on family and community history.  The winning students received prizes and scholarships. The program, still in existence thirty years after Dave founded it, proved so successful that it received federal funding to replicate its learning model in other metropolitan areas around the country.  His work with the History Fair gave Ruchman experience in fundraising and entrepreneurship, but also prepared him to address urban education, both at the grassroots and with senior administrators.

During the 1980s, Dave taught history at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and in the mid 90s attended law school.  After law school, Ruchman served Colorado as an administrative law judge for the Department of Revenue where he conducted more than 24,000 motor vehicle hearings, in English or Spanish.  He made the roads safer for the rest of us by restraining the driving privileges of drunk drivers, those without proper insurance, and drivers with too many points on their driving histories.

Community Service:

• Middle Shooks Run Neighborhood Ass’n [Colo. Springs], President & Secretary
• El Paso County Park Advisory Board, Vice-chairman
• Colorado Springs Comprehensive Plan Revision Commission, Vice-chairman
• Springs Area Beautiful Association, President
• Colorado Springs Planning Commission, President
• DaVinci String Quartet Board of Directors, President & Secretary
• Colorado State Historical Records Advisory Board
• Colorado Park & Recreation Association Foundation
• Helping Hearts and Hands Advisory Board
• Beverly Heights Neighborhood Association, Lakewood,  Founder
• Transit West, Co-Founder & Vice-President
• Wheat Ridge 2020 Neighborhood Initiative

Working for Democrats: 
Dave has been a Democrat his whole life.   Back in grade school, he was proudly for Adlai when the rest of the class was for Ike.  He’s been politically active for the quarter century he’s lived in Colorado.  He started at the precinct level, and worked through the grassroots to change a Republican precinct to a comfortable Democratic majority.  Dave Ruchman served as a Democratic house district chair, county party officer, state central and executive committee member, and finally as a state party officer for two terms.  His energy has always been focused on strengthening the party at its grassroots.  He’s knocked on thousands of doors for local candidates.