Jason Crow (born March 15, 1979) is an American lawyer, veteran, and politician serving as the United States representative for Colorado's 6th congressional district since 2019.[1] Crow is the first member of the Democratic Party to represent the district, which encompasses several of Denver's eastern and southern suburbs, including Aurora, Littleton, and Centennial.

Jason Crow
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Colorado's 6th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2019
Preceded by Mike Coffman
Personal details
Born (1979-03-15) March 15, 1979 (age 45)
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse
Deserai Anderson
(m. 2005; div. 2023)
Children 2
Education University of Wisconsin, Madison (BA)
University of Denver (JD)
Website House website
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Branch/service  United States Army
Years of service 2002–2006
Rank Captain
Unit 82nd Airborne Division
75th Ranger Regiment
Battles/wars Iraq War
War in Afghanistan
Awards Bronze Star Medal

During his first term in Congress, Crow was an impeachment manager for President Donald Trump's first impeachment trial.[2]

Early life and career edit

Crow was born in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1979.[3] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2002, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2009.[4][5]

Crow is a former Army Ranger.[6] He served three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the 82nd Airborne Division and 75th Ranger Regiment. Crow took part in the Battle of Samawah in 2003 as a platoon leader in the 82nd Airborne Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star for actions during the battle. Crow served on the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs from 2009 to 2014. After service, Crow became partner with the Holland and Hart Law Firm.[7] In 2015, he received the University of Denver's Ammi Hyde Award for Recent Graduate Achievement.[8]

U.S. House of Representatives edit

Elections edit

2018 edit

On April 17, 2017, Crow announced his intention to run against four-term Republican incumbent Mike Coffman to represent Colorado's 6th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.[9][10]

In the Democratic primary, Crow defeated businessman Levi Tillemann with 68% of the vote.[11][12] He defeated Coffman in the November 6 general election with 54% of the vote, winning two of the district's three counties.[13][14][15] He is the first Democrat to represent the district since its creation in 1983.[16]

2020 edit

Crow ran for election to a second term, and faced no opposition in the Democratic primary.[17] He defeated Steve House, former chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, in the November 3 general election by over 17% of the vote, winning all three counties.[16][18]

2022 edit

Crow defeated moderate Republican Steve Monahan to win his third term, with 61% of the vote. A redistricting change gave Crow a significant advantage over Monahan, drawing in urban areas that have historically voted Democratic.[19][20]

Tenure edit

Crow has been the primary sponsor of 10 bills, most relating to military or foreign affairs.[21] For 2022, GovTrack ranked him as the "15th most politically right" Democrat in the House of Representatives, putting him at the 93rd percentile.[22]

During the storming of the Capitol Crow was one of a group of representatives who were trapped in the Capitol after the rest of the House had been evacuated.[23] He described "back into ... combat mode"[24] during the attack, preparing to defend himself and the other representatives. Crow held distressed Representative Susan Wild's hand, as captured in a photo that went viral.[25][26]

Committee assignments edit

For the 118th Congress:[27]

Caucus memberships edit

Political positions edit

Crow voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.[30]

Abortion edit

Crow supports abortion rights.[31]

Foreign policy edit

During the Russo-Ukrainian War, Crow signed a letter advocating for President Biden to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.[32]

Crow voted in favor of a House resolution to show solidarity with Israel following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[33][34]

During the Israel-Hamas War, Crow signed a letter expressing concern over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conduct of the war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It calls for President Biden to further pressure the Israeli government to adjust their strategy regarding the war.[35]

Gun control edit

Crow voiced support for gun control reform while campaigning for the House of Representatives.[36] On February 28, 2019, he voted for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act (H.R.8) after cosponsoring the bill.[37] H.R.8, if passed, will require unlicensed gun sellers to conduct background checks on gun buyers. Crow is also a cosponsor of the Assault Weapon Ban Act (H.R.1296), which would limit access to guns that are considered assault weapons.[37]

Impeachment edit

On September 23, 2019, Crow was one of seven freshman lawmakers with national security backgrounds who co-wrote an opinion essay in The Washington Post voicing their support for an impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump. In interviews, Crow said it was important that "the inquiry stay focused and proceed efficiently".[38] On January 15, 2020, he was selected as one of seven impeachment managers who presented the impeachment case against Trump during Trump's first impeachment trial before the United States Senate.[39][40]

LGBT rights edit

Crow supports same-sex marriage and the expansion of LGBT non-discrimination laws.[41] He supported President Barack Obama's repeal of Don't ask, don't tell at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.[42] He opposed President Trump's transgender military ban, cosponsoring an amendment to the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act to overturn the ban. In 2021, he supported the Equality Act.[43]

Special interests edit

Crow refused corporate PAC money during his campaign.[36] He is a sponsor of the For the People Act of 2019, which would end gerrymandering and create automatic voter registration.[44] The bill would also prevent members of Congress from serving on corporate boards. It also seeks to eliminate dark money contributions.[44][45]

Electoral history edit

Democratic primary results, Colorado 2018[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jason Crow 49,851 65.93%
Democratic Levi Tillemann 25,757 34.07%
Total votes 75,608 100%
Colorado's 6th congressional district results, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jason Crow 187,639 54.10%
Republican Mike Coffman (incumbent) 148,685 42.87%
Libertarian Kat Martin 5,886 1.70%
Independent Dan Chapin 4,607 1.33%
Write-in 5 <0.01%
Total votes 346,822 100%
Democratic gain from Republican
Democratic primary results, Colorado 2020[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jason Crow (incumbent) 122,929 100%
Total votes 122,929 100%
Colorado's 6th congressional district results, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jason Crow (incumbent) 250,314 57.1%
Republican Steve House 175,192 40.0%
Libertarian Norm Olsen 9,083 2.1%
Unity Jaimie Kulikowski 3,884 0.9%
Total votes 438,473 100%
Democratic hold
Colorado's 6th congressional district results, 2022
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jason Crow (incumbent) 170,140 60.6%
Republican Steve Monahan 105,084 37.4%
Libertarian Eric Mulder 5,531 2.0%
Total votes 280,755 100%
Democratic hold

Personal life edit

Crow and his former wife, Deserai (née Anderson), have two children.[47][48]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Who is Jason Crow? Impeachment manager is a former Army Ranger, attorney". January 16, 2020.
  2. ^ Kroll, Andy (February 14, 2020). "Can a Freshman Congressman Prosecute Trump for High Crimes -- and Still Keep His Faith in Humanity?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  3. ^ "Candidate Conversation - Jason Crow (D) | News & Analysis". Inside Elections. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  4. ^ "Jason Crow bio: Get to know the Democrat running in Colorado's 6th Congressional District". Coloradosun.com. October 12, 2018. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  5. ^ Your Name * (August 31, 2015). "University of Denver MagazineDU Law alum continues quest for learning | University of Denver Magazine". Magazine.du.edu. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  6. ^ Wade, Peter (January 23, 2021). "Sen. Tom Cotton Bragged He Was an 'Army Ranger.' He Was Not". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  7. ^ Scott, Ramsey (July 12, 2017). "Democrat Jason Crow set to move into 6th Congressional District to boost challenge to Coffman". Sentinel Colorado. Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  8. ^ The Denver Post, "People on the Move," 6 April 2015 [1] Archived October 6, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "Denver attorney Jason Crow to challenge Mike Coffman in 2018". The Denver Post. April 11, 2017. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  10. ^ "Democrat Jason Crow to challenge Coffman in Colorado's 6th". Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  11. ^ "A secret recording, a Bronze Star and "The Royal Tenenbaums" — the Democratic race to unseat Mike Coffman is flush with personality, politics". The Denver Post. May 23, 2018. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  12. ^ "Jason Crow wins 6th Congressional District's Democratic primary, tells incumbent Mike Coffman "it's time to go"". The Denver Post. June 27, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  13. ^ "Democrat Jason Crow defeats 5-term Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman | FOX31 Denver". Kdvr.com. Associated Press. November 6, 2018. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  14. ^ "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  15. ^ "Colorado Election Results: Sixth House District". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 31, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  16. ^ a b Frank, John (September 3, 2019). "A prominent Republican announces challenge to Jason Crow amid uncertainty GOP can win back 6th District". Colorado Politics. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  17. ^ a b "June 30, 2020 Primary Election - Official Results". Colorado Secretary of State.
  18. ^ "2020 General Election - Official Compiled Results". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  19. ^ "Rep. Jason Crow defeats Republican challenger Steve Monahan in 6th Congressional District race". The Denver Post. November 9, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  20. ^ "6th Congressional District race between Jason Crow, Steve Monahan becomes much less competitive". The Denver Post. October 14, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  21. ^ "Jason Crow, Representative for Colorado's 6th Congressional District". GovTrack.us. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  22. ^ "Rep. Jason Crow [D-CO6]'s 2022 legislative statistics". GovTrack.us. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  23. ^ ""We were trapped": Rep. Jason Crow, others talk about lingering trauma of Jan. 6". The Colorado Sun. Associated Press. January 6, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  24. ^ "'Get Out Alive': Colorado Congressman Jason Crow Recalls Attack On U.S. Capitol One Year Later - CBS Colorado". www.cbsnews.com. January 6, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  25. ^ Britzky, Haley (January 7, 2021). "This Army Ranger-turned-Congressman was last out of the House chamber during the Capitol riots". Task & Purpose. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  26. ^ Paul, Jesse (January 6, 2021). ""We were getting ready to make a stand": Colorado congressmen recount harrowing moments as rioters approached". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  27. ^ "Jason Crow". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  28. ^ "Members". New Democrat Coalition. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  29. ^ "Committees and Caucuses". Representative Jason Crow. December 13, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  30. ^ Bycoffe, Aaron; Wiederkehr, Anna (April 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  31. ^ Source: 2018 CO-6 House campaign website JasonCrowForCongress.com, May 4, 2020.
  32. ^ O'Brien, Connor (February 17, 2023). "Democrats, Republicans join up to urge Biden to send F-16s to Ukraine". Politico. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  33. ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  34. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  35. ^ "Moulton, Crow, Sherrill, Houlahan, Spanberger, and Slotkin Send Letter to Biden Administration Calling for Shift in Israel's Military Strategy in Gaza | Congressman Seth Moulton". moulton.house.gov. December 18, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  36. ^ a b Nielsen, Ella. "Democratic House candidate Jason Crow thinks he can run on gun control - and win" Archived March 6, 2019, at the Wayback MachineVox April 17, 2018. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  37. ^ a b "Rep. Jason Crow Votes to Pass Universal Background Checks" (Press release). Washington D.C. February 27, 2019. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  38. ^ The Denver Post, "Trump gives swing-district Democrats like Jason Crow new cause to back inquiry," 8 Oct 2019 [2] Archived October 10, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
  39. ^ Wilkie, Christina (January 15, 2020). "Pelosi taps Schiff, Nadler and 5 others as Trump impeachment managers". CNBC. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  40. ^ The New York Times "Jason Crow: Impeachment Manager Who Pressed to Launch Inquiry", 15 Jan 2020 [3] Archived January 15, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
  41. ^ "Values".
  42. ^ Committee, 2012 Democratic National Convention. "2012 Democratic National Convention: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Jason Crow, Captain, U.S. Army (ret.)". www.prnewswire.com (Press release).{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  43. ^ "2.25 Equality Act Passes in U.S. House of Representatives". February 25, 2021.
  44. ^ a b "Rep. Jason Crow Sponsors Bill To End Gerrymandering, 'Dark Money'". CBS Denver. January 9, 2019. Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  45. ^ Montellaro, Zach (March 8, 2019). "House passes sweeping election reform bill". POLITICO.
  46. ^ "2018 Colorado Democratic primary election results". Archived from the original on June 22, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  47. ^ Gray, Haley (January 15, 2019). "Meet Jason Crow, One of Colorado's Newest Representatives". 5280. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  48. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20230525054204/https://themessenger.com/news/lawmakers-sent-millions-in-earmarks-to-their-spouses-employers-despite-reforms

External links edit

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Colorado's 6th congressional district

2019–present
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
238th
Succeeded by