Colorado State Rep. Tony Exum Sr. is facing grass-roots Republican activist Robert Blancken in the race for House District 17 in southeastern Colorado Springs.

Exum, a Democrat and retired Colorado Springs Fire Department battalion chief, is running for his fourth term and remains committed to supporting public education, protecting the environment and bolstering economic opportunity in his district, he said.

“I want to continue serving the people. … I think I have established a trust here,” he said.

Blancken, a retired water treatment specialist, describes himself as a far-right Republican who supports school choice, improved access to mental health care, developing the district’s economy and ensuring the district gets its fair share of infrastructure investment.

As a member of party leadership, Blancken hunted for someone to challenge Exum for 18 months before he was nominated to run.

“You cannot allow any seat to go unchallenged. …. That was my fundamental belief,” he said.

Blancken has not held elected office, but he said he understands the legislative process well and has about 25 years experience as a political activist. For example, he helped oust former Democratic Senate President John Morse in 2013 when Morse backed tougher gun laws. He also helped put the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights initiative on the ballot in 1992, he said.

Recently, he has been outraged by Gov. Jared Polis’ handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

“When the government determines what is essential and what can be open and what can’t be, that goes against capitalism,” he said.

Exum said he supported Polis’ approach given the difficult circumstances and the need to control the spread of the virus. He pointed out the state distributed millions in aid to help those impacted by the virus. Exum co-sponsored HB 20-1410, a measure that dedicated $20 million in federal funds to rental and mortgage assistance.

He expects the coming year will bring tough budget choices for the Legislature and likely require them to make cuts to balance the budget.

“All departments have to share in those sacrifices,” he said.

He would like to help make sure education is funded at a level that ensures “kids can get a good, fair and complete education.”

Exum also plans to reintroduce two bills including one that would help foster kids with their driver education and one to provide intervention for ninth graders at risk of dropping out. The highest dropout rate is among freshmen, he said.

Contact the writer at mary.shinn@gazette.com or (719) 429-9264.