A Disappointing Election Day For First-Time Candidates

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Photo: Political newcomers Kevin Sipple, left, and Electra Johnson
Political Newcomers Kevin Sipple, left, and Electra Johnson.

Two first-time candidates CPR News followed over the course of the election season lost their races Tuesday. Democrat Electra Johnson was defeated by Stan VanderWerf for El Paso County Commissioner District 3. Republican Kevin Sipple lost his race for Boulder County Commissioner District 1 to incumbent Elise Jones. Johnson called the experience of running for office "life transforming," while Sipple said it reminds him that democracy "always needs defending." Both candidates reflected on their forays into politics with Colorado Matters' host Ryan Warner.