Larry Liston, Senate District 10

Larry Liston is a seasoned leader and a prominent figure in Colorado politics, currently serving as the State Senator for District 10 visited with the Republican Strategy Forum on July 1st.  He is associated with Americans for Prosperity Forum and has lived in Colorado Springs (COS) for 59 years. A lifelong Republican, Liston brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his role in the state legislature.

Having graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Business Finance, Liston began his career at the World Bank of Canada. His political engagement began at a young age when he supported Barry Goldwater’s campaign, and he has remained actively involved in politics ever since. Prior to his current position, Liston served in the House District 16 before his election to the Senate in 2020, representing District 10. He actively participates in several key committees, including Business, Labor and Technology, Housing, and Appropriations.

Liston’s political journey has coincided with significant changes in Colorado’s political landscape, particularly following the implementation of the Democrat’s Blueprint in 2004. This political strategy led to a shift in the House, where six Republican incumbents were defeated, resulting in the current composition of 43 Democrats and 22 Republicans. The Senate reflects a similar trend, with a makeup of 23 Democrats and 12 Republicans. Currently, six Democrats occasionally align with republicans.

Recently, Liston expressed satisfaction with the results of the local primary elections. He highlighted Jill Haffley as a promising candidate in House District 16, who is running against a self-described communist, Stephanie Vigil. However, Liston noted that Lauren Nelson’s challenge in County Commissioner District 5 may be formidable, given the district’s recent redrawing favoring Democrats.

Another key candidate Liston strongly supports is Barb Kirkmeyer, who is currently ahead of Victor Marx in their race. Kirkmeyer’s impressive credentials include being a small business owner, having deep ties to Colorado, and serving five terms as a County Commissioner in Weld County. Her role on the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), one of the most powerful committees in the Senate, positions her as a leading voice in key discussions, making her a tough opponent for Democrats to debate.

Liston holds a Liberty Score Card rating in the 50-60 range but emphasizes that he votes according to the interests of his district, a strategy that has successfully kept him re-elected. He noted the narrow vote difference between Kirkmeyer and Marx, with 18% of votes still outstanding, indicating a potential recount.

Highlighting the need to appeal to unaffiliated voters (UAF) to secure victories, Liston stated, “We don’t have to agree with everything a candidate represents to vote for them.” He commended Michael Allen for Attorney General and Kevin Grantham for Treasurer as strong candidates, although he refrained from commenting on James Willey’s bid for Secretary of State.

Liston is a vocal opponent of mail-in ballots, advocating for in-person voting based on conviction rather than convenience. He endorses political action committees (PACs) as essential for campaign financing and supports initiatives like small donor committees, despite the limitations imposed on contributions.

His advice to Republican candidates is straightforward: target UAF votes and begin campaigning early rather than waiting until September. He emphasized the importance of building relationships with voters, particularly in sectors like mobile home parks, which he considers gold mines for outreach.

In terms of policy, Liston is a staunch supporter of Second Amendment (2A) rights, although he acknowledges the challenges posed by a Democrat senator who has personal ties to gun violence. He has also emerged as a leading advocate for nuclear energy within the Senate, working to have it recognized as clean energy and promoting innovative technologies related to nuclear power.

Looking to the future, Liston is set to meet with an executive from an AI data center to discuss the potential of nuclear energy in the tech field. He maintains connections with industry innovators, including Flibe Energy, who shares similar interests in advanced nuclear technologies.

As the November election approaches, Liston underscores the importance of distinguishing Republican candidates from their Democratic counterparts. He encourages friendly outreach and emphasizes the GOP’s commitment to the free enterprise system and Second Amendment rights, positioning Democrats as increasingly radical in their socialist and Marxist inclinations. Establishing a clear comparison between party ideologies could be pivotal in winning UAF support and securing electoral success.