Diane Mitsch Bush

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.[3] She was defeated in both the 2018 and 2020 elections.

Diane Mitsch Bush
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives
from the 26th district
In office
January 9, 2013 – November 2, 2017
Preceded byAndy Kerr
Succeeded byDylan Roberts
Personal details
Born (1950-02-17) February 17, 1950
Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Minnesota (BA, MA, PhD)
WebsiteCampaign website

Early life and education

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]

Political career

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]

2018 U.S. House election

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]

2020 U.S. House election

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 six percentage points.[15]

Personal life

Mitsch Bush has lived in Steamboat Springs, Colorado since 1976.[16] Mitsch Bush is married to Michael Paul.[17][18]

Elections
  • 2012 When Democratic Representative Andy Kerr ran for Colorado Senate and left the 26th district seat open, Mitsch Bush was unopposed for the June 26, 2012, Democratic primary, winning with 1,738 votes;[19] and won the November 6, 2012, general election with 18,470 votes (55.8%) against Republican nominee Charles McConnell.[20]
  • 2018 During the Democratic primary for Colorado's 3rd district that took place on June 26, 2018, Mitsch Busch defeated two Democratic opponents, Karl Hanlon and Arn Menconi, to win the primary with 42,048 votes (64.12%).[3] Incumbent congressman Scott Tipton defeated her in the general election.[14]
  • 2020 Mitsch Bush was defeated by Lauren Boebert by six percent on November 3, 2020, 51.27% to 45.41%. Boebert raised $2.4 million and Mitsch Bush raised $4.2 million.[21] Republican groups spent more than $5 million. Democratic groups spent nearly $4 million.[21]
Colorado's 3rd congressional district, 2020[22]
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

References
  1. "Diane Mitsch Bush's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  2. https://www.aspentimes.com/news/diane-mitsch-bush-hold-big-lead-in-early-results-from-cd3-democrat-primary/
  3. "Colorado's 3rd Congressional District election, 2018 - Ballotpedia". Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  4. ASHBY, CHARLES. "Mitsch Bush wins, will face Tipton". The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
  5. "Want to understand the state of U.S. politics? Look no further than Colorado's 3rd Congressional District primaries". The Colorado Sun. 2020-06-24. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
  6. "Diane Mitsch Bush". Denver, Colorado: Colorado General Assembly. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  7. "Rep. Mitsch Bush submits official letter of resignation". Real Vail. 2017-10-02. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  8. Stensland, Matt (2017-11-01). "Dylan Roberts fills Colorado House District 26 seat vacancy, effective Nov. 2". Vail Daily. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  9. "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  10. "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  11. "Debt-free Schools Act | Colorado General Assembly". leg.colorado.gov. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  12. "Diane Mitsch Bush - Ballotpedia". Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  13. Perkins, Luke (2017-07-06). "Steamboat Springs Democrat will challenge Scott Tipton for House seat". The Durango Herald. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  14. Ross, Tom (2018-11-06). "Scott Tipton defeats Diane Mitsch Bush in 3rd Congressional District race". The Aspen Times. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  15. Politics, Ernest Luning, Colorado. "Following Boebert win, more election forecasters nudge 3rd CD toward Democrats". Colorado Politics. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
  16. "Diane Mitsch Bush | Meet Diane | US Congress - Colorado District 3". www.dianeforcolorado.com. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  17. "Diane Mitsch Bush, CO-03". WomenCount. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
  18. "Election Guide 2012: Diane Mitsch Bush". www.steamboatpilot.com. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
  19. "2012 Democratic Party state representatives primary results". Denver, Colorado: Secretary of State of Colorado. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  20. "2012 General election state representatives results". Denver, Colorado: Secretary of State of Colorado. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  21. Lauren Boebert beats Democrat Diane Mitsch Bush in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, Colorado Sun, November 3, 2020.
  22. Kim, Cailyn. Lauren Boebert Wins In Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, Colorado Public Radio, November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
Colorado House of Representatives
Preceded by
Andy Kerr		 Member of the Colorado House of Representatives
from the 26th district
2013–2017		 Succeeded by
Dylan Roberts
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