Where John Padora stands on the issues:

Tax Fairness, Real Results: Make Washington Work For US.

End the Rigged System. Deliver for Working Americans.

The problem isn’t that working Americans pay too little in taxes—it’s that billionaires and giant corporations pay too little, and get too much in return. Meanwhile, everyday families are getting squeezed by high costs, broken services, and a government that feels unaccountable.

It’s time to fix the imbalance. We will:

  • Close corporate loopholes that let multinational companies dodge taxes while shipping jobs overseas

  • Implement a fair tax on extreme wealth, so billionaires don’t pay lower rates than teachers or welders

  • End tax breaks for companies that price-gouge Americans on food, fuel, rent, and medicine

  • Use the savings to directly lower the cost of housing, healthcare, energy, and education

  • Audit wasteful government spending and demand results-driven budgeting that reflects the will of the people—not lobbyists

For too long, Washington has taken our tax dollars and handed them to the wealthy, while letting the roads crumble, schools fall behind, and healthcare costs explode. That’s not conservatism or progressivism—that’s corruption.

This isn’t about left vs. right. It’s about fairness, accountability, and representation. If we’re paying into the system, we should see something real for it—strong infrastructure, good public schools, safe communities, and an economy that works for everyone, not just the elite.

In Congress, I’ll fight to make the tax code fair, the spending transparent, and the results real—because every American deserves to see their hard work pay off.

Farm The Future, Feed The Nation

Put Eastern Colorado Back on the Agriculture Committee—Where We Belong

Eastern Colorado is the heart of American agriculture—but Washington has ignored our farmers and ranchers for too long. While we grow the food, raise the livestock, and steward the land, corporate lobbyists, broken trade policies, and neglect from Congress have made it harder and harder for family farms to survive.

That ends now.

CO-04 hasn’t had a voice on the House Agriculture Committee in over a decade—and that’s unacceptable. When elected, I will fight to serve on the Ag Committee and give rural Colorado a seat at the table, not just on campaign stops, but where the real decisions get made.

In Congress, we will:

  • Fight for fair farm prices and protections against predatory corporate consolidation in seed, meatpacking, and grain markets

  • Expand crop insurance and drought relief programs to reflect the realities of dryland farming and climate volatility across the Eastern Plains

  • Strengthen conservation programs that reward good land stewardship without punishing small producers

  • Invest in rural water infrastructure, ensuring ag producers and local families alike have reliable, clean, and sustainable water access

  • Fund regional meat processing facilities so we’re not held hostage by a handful of multinational monopolies

  • Restore local control and pride in our ag economy, from farm-to-school programs to federal purchasing contracts that favor U.S.-grown products

  • Support the next generation of producers with land access, low-interest lending, and trade schools focused on ag science and business

Eastern Colorado doesn’t want handouts—we want a fair shot, a functioning market, and a government that actually represents the people who feed America. Our work ethic is unmatched. Our land is fertile. Our legacy is rich.

It’s time we had representation in Washington that reflects that strength—and brings real ag policy back home where it belongs.

Clean Water for Eastern Colorado: A Right, Not a Privilege.

Protecting Our Water, Securing Our Future

In Eastern Colorado, we face a growing crisis—access to clean water is becoming harder to secure each year. From our small rural towns to the rapidly growing communities on the Front Range, water is an increasingly scarce resource. For our farmers, families, and businesses, this is more than just an inconvenience—it’s a threat to our way of life.

Our communities depend on water for agriculture, daily living, and economic growth—but the current water infrastructure can’t keep up with the demands of a growing population and a changing climate. We need a solution that ensures a sustainable future for all in District 4.

In Congress, I will:

  • Fight for federal funding to support water treatment facilities and modern infrastructure for Eastern Colorado and other rural districts

  • Secure protections for our water supply, ensuring it stays clean and accessible for generations to come

  • Work to address overuse and contamination, prioritizing sustainable water management that preserves local farming and ranching livelihoods

  • Advocate for equitable distribution of water resources, ensuring that no community—urban or rural—lacks access to safe, reliable water

Every American has the right to clean, safe water, and that includes us here in Eastern Colorado. This is about more than just surviving—it’s about ensuring our communities thrive, grow, and prosper for decades to come.

From Rust to Resurgence: A New Age of American Manufacturing

A New Age of American Manufacturing
Bring Manufacturing Jobs Home & Reshore Critical Industries

America’s industrial strength was once the backbone of our prosperity—and it can be again. We will revive American manufacturing through bold, targeted investments in high-tech industries, advanced machine shops, and clean energy infrastructure.

We will reshore critical supply chains, rebuild domestic production capacity, and protect American workers from unfair trade deals and the outsourcing that hollowed out too many of our towns. No more shipping jobs overseas while our communities fall into decline.

Here in Eastern Colorado, we have everything we need to lead this comeback—land, talent, and grit. We’ll fight to bring federal investment and tax incentives that attract cutting-edge manufacturers to build here, not abroad. That means:

  • Strategic reshoring of defense, aerospace, and medical manufacturing

  • Investment in rural manufacturing hubs and innovation zones

  • Support for skilled trades and workforce development programs

  • Infrastructure upgrades to power a 21st-century industrial base

By doing so, we can create thousands of skilled, good-paying blue-collar jobs—revitalizing our small towns, strengthening our local economies, and giving the next generation real reasons to stay and build their futures right here.

This is how we rebuild American strength—starting in Eastern Colorado.

Hands Off Our Retirement: Defend & Expand Social Security

Protect the Promise. Strengthen the Future.

The Republican Party’s continued attacks on Social Security are more than just political games—they’re a direct threat to the livelihoods of 66 million Americans who depend on it. Proposals to slash benefits, raise the retirement age, or privatize the system prove just how out of touch Washington is with working-class reality.

Right now, without bold action, the Social Security Trust Fund is projected to be depleted by 2033. That means automatic cuts of 23–25% to retirees, veterans, and people with disabilities—many of whom already live on the edge of poverty.

Social Security is not an “entitlement”—it’s a promise that every working American has paid into their entire life. It's one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in U.S. history, and it keeps millions of seniors, widows, and people with disabilities from falling through the cracks.

In Congress, I will:

  • Block any effort to cut or privatize Social Security

  • Lift the payroll tax cap so the wealthy pay their fair share

  • Oppose raising the retirement age, which would devastate blue-collar workers

  • Support legislation to expand Social Security benefits, not reduce them

  • Protect disability and survivor benefits from budget raids

Let’s be clear: while billionaires dodge taxes and corporations collect record profits, Washington politicians want you to work longer and retire with less. That’s not a funding crisis—that’s a priority crisis.

Here in Eastern Colorado, where so many of us have worked with our hands and paid into the system year after year, we’re not asking for a handout. We’re demanding what we earned.

Social Security is not up for debate. We will defend it, strengthen it, and make sure it’s there for every generation to come.

A Foreign Policy for Peace, Strength, and American Renewal

End Endless Wars, Reinvest at Home, and Lead with Diplomacy—not Dominance

America’s strength doesn’t come from how many bombs we drop—it comes from the strength of our people, the resilience of our communities, and the values we uphold. For too long, both parties have backed blank-check wars, endless deployments, and a bloated defense budget—while our own rural towns, veterans, and working families are left behind.

It’s time to bring our priorities home.

In Congress, we will:

  • End endless wars and put an end to the policy of perpetual military intervention that has drained trillions from taxpayers and cost countless lives

  • Audit and reduce bloated defense spending, so we can redirect those dollars into rural infrastructure, healthcare, education, and veteran care

  • Strengthen diplomacy and work with global allies to reduce conflict, tackle climate challenges, and build mutual prosperity

  • Support our troops by fully funding VA healthcare, expanding mental health services, and honoring our promise to those who’ve served

  • Invest in American energy independence, so we’re never again held hostage by authoritarian regimes and volatile foreign markets

Eastern Colorado knows the value of sacrifice, service, and self-reliance—and we’re ready to lead a foreign policy that reflects those values. A foreign policy that puts peace over profit, people over power, and our communities over corporate contractors.

It’s time for a new era of American leadership—one rooted in strength, justice, and a real investment in the future of our own people.

Rural Strong, Not Rural Forgotten

Rural America built this country—and it’s time we built it back. We will lead a national movement to invest in rural communities not with lip service, but with bold, tangible action. That starts with high-speed broadband access for every home and business, modernized roads, water systems, and electric grids, and fully funded public schools that prepare our kids for the future—not just to leave town.

We’ll expand federal grants for local infrastructure projects, support regional innovation hubs in rural areas, and strengthen vocational education and community college partnerships that create clear pathways to skilled careers.

For family farms and agricultural producers, we’ll fight for fair market access, transparent pricing, and protection from corporate monopolies that squeeze small farmers out of existence. That means reforming the Farm Bill to favor the people who actually work the land—not just giant agribusiness.

And here in Eastern Colorado, we’re ready to lead. We have the land, the people, and the grit to power a new rural economy—one built on precision agriculture, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and small-town entrepreneurship. We will push for targeted federal investment in these industries to bring jobs and opportunity back where they belong.

Rural communities are not relics of the past—they are the foundation of our future. When we invest in them, we don’t just restore dignity and opportunity to forgotten places—we rebuild the American Dream where it was always meant to thrive.

Defend The Constitution, Reject Extremism

Protect Real Freedom—For Every American, Not Just the Loudest Voices

The Constitution is not a partisan document—it’s the foundation of our shared freedom. But today, political extremists on both sides are twisting it to fit their agendas, cherry-picking rights while trampling others.

We don’t get to pick and choose which amendments matter. True patriotism means protecting them all.

In Congress, I will fight to uphold the full Constitution—because real freedom means:

  • Gun ownership for law-abiding citizens—protected, not politicized, with a focus on safety and responsibility

  • Free speech without fear of censorship, cancellation, or surveillance

  • Privacy rights in the digital age, where corporations and government alike have gone too far

  • Due process and equal protection under the law—regardless of race, gender, faith, or political belief

This is about freedom without hypocrisy. It’s about restoring balance, trust, and civil liberties in a time when so many politicians have strayed from the principles that make America work.

Eastern Colorado understands real freedom—because out here, we live it every day. In Washington, I’ll defend it with everything I’ve got.

Healthcare that actually cares

A System that Puts Profits Over People

Across America—and especially in rural communities like Eastern Colorado—working families are being crushed by a broken healthcare system. We spend more per person on healthcare than any other country in the world, yet millions still can’t afford to see a doctor, fill a prescription, or get preventative care. And it’s not for lack of money—it’s because our system puts profits over people and insurance companies between you and your doctor.

We’ll fight to fix that.

Healthcare Access Shouldn’t Be a Battle

No one should have to drive hours just to reach a clinic, or choose between putting gas in the tank and picking up their prescription. In Eastern Colorado, that’s a reality too many families live every single day. We’ll fight to bring serious federal investment to our region—to build rural clinics, expand telehealth, train and retain healthcare workers, and restore basic dignity to how we treat our neighbors' health.

Championing Real Change

We will:

  • Champion a public healthcare option for all

  • Lower drug prices and make life-saving medications more affordable

  • Expand rural access to healthcare services so no one is left behind

  • Eliminate surprise billing, giving you the control you deserve over your healthcare costs

Healthcare is a human right—not a luxury. And we’re going to make sure that right reaches every single person in this country, starting right here in the communities that Washington forgot.

End the war on Us: A New Era of Drug Policy & Public Health

Legalize, Decriminalize, and Treat—Not Jail

Here in Colorado, we've proven that marijuana can be legalized safely and effectively—creating jobs, generating tax revenue, and reducing crime. But federal prohibition continues to choke this growing industry. Entrepreneurs are shut out of banking, barred from interstate commerce, and burdened by outdated federal laws that leave businesses and workers in legal limbo.

Nationally, it’s time to end the failed War on Drugs—a war that was never about safety, but control. For decades, it’s fueled mass incarceration, broken up families, targeted marginalized communities, and created one of the world’s most dangerous and resilient black markets.

We will fight to:

  • Fully legalize marijuana at the federal level

  • Open up access to banking and interstate commerce

  • Decriminalize all non-violent drug possession

  • Declare substance use disorder a public health crisis, not a criminal one

  • Fund treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery—not for-profit prisons

  • End mandatory minimums and expunge low-level drug convictions

No one heals in a jail cell. It's time we replace punishment with care, and fear with facts. By taking a public health approach, we can save lives, reduce harm, and shrink prison populations—while giving people a real path toward recovery.

Colorado led the way. Now, it’s time for America to follow.

Education That Works for Everyone

Real Opportunities for Every Path: Debt-Free Education, Real Career Mobility

We will make community colleges and trade schools tuition-free, invest in public education, and forgive predatory student loans. Every child in America deserves real opportunities—whether they choose a trade, a university, or something in between.

Education Should Empower, Not Enslave

For too long, our education system has been about mountains of debt and limited opportunities for the many, while the few benefit from a system designed to make them richer. We will level the playing field and ensure that all young Americans, regardless of background, have access to affordable education and the skills they need to succeed.

In Congress, we will:

  • Make community college and trade schools tuition-free so every student has access to higher education without drowning in debt

  • Invest in public K-12 education to ensure that every child gets the education they deserve, no matter where they live

  • Forgive predatory student loans and provide relief for those burdened by years of high-interest debt

  • Promote career mobility, ensuring that everyone has the tools they need to build a stable, successful future

Education is the key to the American Dream—and we will ensure that every American has a debt-free path to success, no matter the path they choose.

Clean Energy with Working-Class Roots

Building a Sustainable Future for All

Climate Action That Creates Jobs, Empowers Communities, and Fuels Energy Freedom

We will tackle climate change head-on with bold investments in renewable energy that create good-paying jobs right here at home. Rural Colorado has the potential to become a hub for wind, solar, and geothermal energy—owned by the people, not by corporate monopolies.

Clean Energy That Puts People First

We don’t have to choose between protecting our planet and providing good jobs for hardworking families. By investing in clean energy, we can build resilient communities and energy independence, while creating thousands of jobs in renewable energy sectors. Rural Colorado, with its vast open spaces and natural resources, is the perfect place to lead the charge.

In Congress, we will:

  • Invest in renewable energy industries like wind, solar, and geothermal to create jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign energy

  • Empower rural communities to own and control clean energy production, keeping profits local instead of funneling them to corporate monopolies

  • Ensure energy independence by transitioning to sustainable energy sources, making sure no one is left behind as we fight climate change

  • Promote energy freedom, reducing costs for working families and creating good-paying jobs in every corner of America

Clean energy is the future—and it should be built on working-class roots, where every community has the chance to thrive while protecting our planet for generations to come.

A Right to Choose

Protecting Healthcare Decisions. Respecting Personal Autonomy.

No one—not the government, not politicians—should have the power to dictate what a person can or cannot do with their own body. The decision to seek reproductive healthcare, including abortion, should be between a patient and their doctor, and it should be safe, affordable, and accessible for all Americans.

For far too long, extremists have used government overreach to undermine the rights of American women, putting their health and safety at risk. This isn’t just a matter of politics—it’s a matter of protecting basic freedoms and respecting personal autonomy.

In Congress, I will:

  • Fight to codify the right to choose, ensuring it’s legally protected and accessible for all women, regardless of state laws

  • Support affordable reproductive healthcare, including contraception, family planning, and prenatal care

  • Oppose any efforts to ban or restrict abortion, while focusing on supporting policies that help women and families—like paid family leave and affordable childcare

  • Work to increase healthcare access, especially in rural and underserved areas, so women have the care they need close to home

Reproductive healthcare is a fundamental right—it’s not about ideology or politics, it’s about ensuring that everyone has the ability to make informed, personal decisions in a safe and supportive environment. As your representative, I will ensure that this basic right is protected and upheld for all.

Fix the Rot in Washington

Restore Integrity to Our Government: End Corruption, Serve the People

We will end political corruption in Washington by banning corporate PACs, enforcing term limits for Congress, and implementing real consequences for insider stock trading. Our government should serve the people—not donors, lobbyists, or special interests.

A Government that Works for Us

For too long, Washington has been run by big money and corporate influence, leaving working families and everyday Americans behind. It’s time to restore trust in our government and make sure that elected officials work for us, not for the highest bidder.

In Congress, we will:

  • Ban corporate PAC money from influencing elections and legislation

  • Institute term limits to ensure no one stays in power for too long and to encourage fresh perspectives

  • Hold lawmakers accountable for insider trading with real, enforceable penalties

We must fight back against the influence of money in politics. Together, we can fix the rot in Washington and create a government that represents the people—not the special interests.