Andrew Romanoff

Romanoff was raised in Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Columbus Academy. His mother, a Democrat, was a social worker. His father, a Republican, was a judge. Romanoff has a twin sister.{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Jennifer|title=Romanoff: A serious goody-two-shoes|url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_8827491|access-date=May 27, 2014|newspaper=Denver Post|date=June 6, 2008}} He is Jewish.

Romanoff earned a bachelor's degree from Yale University. He took time off from Yale to work at the Southern Poverty Law Center, where he joined the fight against the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazi groups. He also worked at the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and taught English in Nicaragua and Costa Rica.{{cite news|last=Husted|first=Bill|title=Zorro at side, Romanoff packs up his life, losses|url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_16084998|access-date=May 27, 2014|newspaper=Denver Post|date=September 16, 2010}} During his time in Nicaragua, his political philosophy was shaped by reading A Theory of Justice by liberal philosopher John Rawls.

Romanoff obtained a master's degree in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University{{cite news|last=Bartels |first=Lynn |url=http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_13353969 |title=Romanoff launches Senate bid: "Colorado is my cause" |publisher=The Denver Post |date=September 17, 2009 |access-date=August 29, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100914075440/http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_13353969| archive-date= September 14, 2010 |url-status=live}} and a J.D. degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

From 1993 to 1997, Romanoff worked as a senior associate at the consulting firm of Greenberg Baron Simon & Miller. He then served as a senior policy advisor to Governor Roy Romer from 1997 to 1999.{{Cite web |author=The Associated Press|agency=Associated Press |date=2009-09-16 |title=A look at Senate hopeful Andrew Romanoff |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2009/09/16/a-look-at-senate-hopeful-andrew-romanoff/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US}} He also worked for Democratic Congressman David Skaggs.{{Cite web |last=Post |first=Bill Husted {{!}} The Denver |date=2010-09-15 |title=Zorro at side, Romanoff packs up his life, losses |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2010/09/15/zorro-at-side-romanoff-packs-up-his-life-losses/ |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US}}

In 2009, Romanoff joined International Development Enterprises as a senior advisor.{{Cite web |date=2010-10-05 |title=Romanoff to fight world poverty as senior adviser to Lakewood nonprofit |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2010/10/05/romanoff-to-fight-world-poverty-as-senior-adviser-to-lakewood-nonprofit/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US}} In 2013 he founded the Posner Center for International Development — now home to nearly 200 organizations dedicated to the eradication of global poverty.{{Cite web |last=Post |first=Justin T. Hilley {{!}} The Denver |date=2011-07-12 |title=Romanoff's Greenhouse Project to help world's poor farmers |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2011/07/12/romanoffs-greenhouse-project-to-help-worlds-poor-farmers/ |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US}}

From 2015 to 2019, Romanoff served as President & CEO of [https://www.mentalhealthcolorado.org Mental Health Colorado], the state's leading advocate for the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders.

Since 2021, Romanoff has been executive director of Great Expectations,{{Cite web |last=joey.bunch@coloradopolitics.com |first=JOEY BUNCH |date=2021-04-29 |title=Andrew Romanoff has a new gig: helping expecting parents and young families |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/andrew-romanoff-has-a-new-gig-helping-expecting-parents-and-young-families/article_4798600e-a911-11eb-a0e1-87dff817b980.html |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Colorado Politics |language=en}} a chief provider of guidance and support for at-risk families in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys.

Romanoff has taught government at the University of Colorado Denver, the Community College of Aurora, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Red Rocks Community College.

Romanoff was a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from 2001 to 2009, winning election to four terms, and earning bipartisan acclaim as one of the most effective legislative leaders in America.{{Cite web |date=2010-04-19 |title=Andrew Romanoff |url=https://www.governing.com/poy/Andrew-Romanoff.html |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Governing |language=en}} He led Democrats to their first majority since 1974 and their first back-to-back majorities since 1962. He became Speaker of the House in 2005, and at the time was the youngest speaker in Colorado House history. Before becoming speaker he was the House Minority Leader and represented House District 6. He left the Colorado House after 2008 due to term limits.

Romanoff authored laws to strengthen mental health and substance use services, to expand home and community-based care for older Coloradans, and to protect the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. He spearheaded the Colorado Economic Recovery Act (Referendum C){{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Brandon |date=2005-09-19 |title=Romanoff touts C and D in Craig |url=https://www.craigdailypress.com/news/romanoff-touts-c-and-d-in-craig/ |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=www.craigdailypress.com |language=en-US}} and the largest investment in school construction in state history.{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Gayle |title=Romanoff seeks K-12 building fix |url=https://www.chieftain.com/story/news/2008/01/20/romanoff-seeks-k-12-building/8641149007/ |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Pueblo Chieftain |language=en-US}}

Romanoff led the legislature to create The Colorado Channel,{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://coloradochannel.net/ |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Colorado Channel |language=en-US}} providing live television coverage of the General Assembly. In 2008, Governing Magazine named him Public Official of the Year.{{Cite web |date=2010-04-19 |title=Andrew Romanoff |url=https://www.governing.com/poy/Andrew-Romanoff.html |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Governing |language=en}}

{{main|2010 United States Senate election in Colorado}}

In early 2009, U.S. Senator Ken Salazar was nominated and confirmed as United States Secretary of the Interior. Romanoff was on a short list of possible candidates for appointment to Salazar's seat,{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_11238804|title=Sources: Salazar accepts Interior spot|publisher=Denver Post|access-date=December 16, 2008|first1=Christopher N.|last1=Osher|first2=Karen E.|last2=Crummy|date=December 15, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081217040552/http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_11238804| archive-date= December 17, 2008 | url-status=live}} but Governor Bill Ritter chose Denver schools' superintendent Michael Bennet. Romanoff opted to challenge Bennet for the Senate seat in the Democratic primary.

Romanoff defeated Bennet in the Democratic State Assembly, with 60.4% of the vote to Bennet's 39.6%, thereby earning the first spot on the August primary ballot.{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/romanoff-buck-win-colorado-ass.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006204356/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/romanoff-buck-win-colorado-ass.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 6, 2012|title=Sources: Romanoff, Buck win Colorado Assembly Races|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 7, 2010}}

On August 10, 2010, Romanoff was defeated by Bennet in the Democratic primary.

On September 27, 2009, Michael Riley of the Denver Post reported that Romanoff had been offered a position in the Obama administration in exchange for not running for U.S. Senate against Michael Bennet.Riley, Michael. [http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13429758 D.C. job alleged as attempt to deter Romanoff], Denver Post, September 27, 2009. According to Riley, Obama's deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina called Romanoff to offer him various positions in the administration, including a position at the United States Agency for International Development. Romanoff turned down the offer.Littwin, Mike.

[http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_15191185 Littwin: Romanoff won't answer why he won't answer], Denver Post, May 30, 2010.

On June 2, 2010, Romanoff issued a statement confirming that Messina had contacted him on September 11, 2009, and told him that Obama was going to support Bennet in the Democratic Party primary. Romanoff told Messina that he would run anyway; Messina "suggested three positions that might be available to me were I not pursuing the Senate race. He added that he could not guarantee my appointment to any of these positions." White House deputy press secretary Bill Burton told The Washington Post, "Mr. Romanoff was recommended to the White House from Democrats in Colorado for a position in the administration. There were some initial conversations with him, but no job was ever offered." Messina sent Romanoff job descriptions for three positions: an administrator for the Latin America and Caribbean Bureau within USAID, the chief of the Office of Democracy and Governance within USAID, and the director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.Elliott, Philip. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/02/AR2010060203585.html Senate candidate says White House discussed 3 jobs], The Washington Post, June 3, 2010. {{dead link|date=August 2014}}{{cite news|title=Sen. Candidate Says White House Discussed 3 Jobs|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sen-candidate-says-white-house-discussed-3-jobs/|access-date=August 6, 2014|work=CBS News|date=June 2, 2010}}

On June 10, 2010, KDVR reported that Bennet said he had known about the White House's offer to Romanoff.{{cite news|last1=Stokols |first1=Eli |title=Bennet confirms knowledge of White House contact with Romanoff |url=http://www.kwgn.com/news/kdvr-bennet-romanoff-offer-txt,0,1844478.story |access-date=August 6, 2014 |publisher=KDVR |date=June 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817231419/http://www.kwgn.com/news/kdvr-bennet-romanoff-offer-txt%2C0%2C1844478.story |archive-date=August 17, 2011 }}

{{Main|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado#District 6}}

Romanoff ran for the United States House of Representatives from Colorado's 6th congressional district in 2014. On October 8, 2014, the Aurora Sentinel endorsed Romanoff.{{Cite web |last=SENTINEL |first=THE |date= |title=ENDORSEMENT: Romanoff already represents CD6 voters, send him to Congress to do the job |url=http://sentinelcolorado.com/opinion/endorsement-romanoff-already-represents-cd6-voters-send-congress-job/ |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Sentinel Colorado |language=en-US}} He lost to incumbent Republican Mike Coffman, 42.99% to 51.90%.{{cite web|url=http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/CO/53335/149718/Web01/en/summary.html|title=Official results, November 4, 2014 general election|publisher=Scytl|access-date=2020-06-30}}

{{main|2020 United States Senate election in Colorado}}

On February 7, 2019, Romanoff announced{{cite news|last1=Paul|first1=Jesse|title=Democrat Andrew Romanoff announces run for Cory Gardner's seat, marking his third bid for Congress|url=https://coloradosun.com/2019/02/07/andrew-romanoff-cory-gardner-2020-race/|access-date=April 1, 2019|publisher=Colorado Sun|date=February 7, 2019}} his candidacy to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Cory Gardner in the 2020 election. Among Romanoff supporters was progressive populist radio host Jim Hightower.{{Cite web |last=Luning |first=Ernest |date=2020-06-29 |title=PRIMARY 2020 {{!}} As decision day nears, Hickenlooper and Romanoff campaigns make final say |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2020-election/primary-2020-as-decision-day-nears-hickenlooper-and-romanoff-campaigns-make-final-say/article_ac143246-b9da-11ea-b947-57937b0e254f.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Colorado Politics |language=en |quote=radio host and national bestselling author Jim Hightower, a former Texas agriculture commissioner and a leading populist voice for decades. "I stand with Andrew Romanoff because he stands with us… He is the grassroots." Hightower argued that Romanoff, who supports the Green New Deal and the single-payer "Medicare for all" health care plan, is a candidate who can build a progressive movement in the Senate "that can move our government back to the people, out of the corporate boardrooms.”}}{{Cite web |title=Virtual event with Jim Hightower on behalf of Andrew Romanoff |url=https://www.facebook.com/events/2650912115229681/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=www.facebook.com}} Romanoff won the statewide caucuses with 86% of the vote{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/18/us-senate-democratic-assembly-2020/|title=Andrew Romanoff wins Democratic state assembly, will be on June 30 ballots|first=Justin|last=Wingerter|publisher=Denver Post|date=2020-04-18|access-date=2020-06-30}} but was defeated by former Governor John Hickenlooper in the Democratic primary.

A political progressive, Romanoff has advocated for a Green New Deal and Medicare for All.{{Cite web|last=Arkin|first=James|title=How Hickenlooper may side-step a challenge from the left|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/29/hickenlooper-colorado-senate-345190|access-date=2020-06-30|website=POLITICO|date=June 29, 2020 |language=en}}

• Colorado House of Representatives
• Colorado General Assembly

{{reflist|2}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://andrewromanoff.com/ Andrew Romanoff for U.S. Senate] campaign website
• {{Ballotpedia}}
• {{C-SPAN|9268102}}
• {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=30146 | fec=S0CO00286 | congress= }}
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/alsorun.php?cid=N00031163&cycle=2010 2010 Campaign contributions] at OpenSecrets.org

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Category:1966 births

Category:2006 Colorado gubernatorial election

Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni

Category:Living people

Category:Politicians from Columbus, Ohio

Category:Politicians from Denver

Category:Speakers of the Colorado House of Representatives

Category:Democratic Party members of the Colorado House of Representatives

Category:Sturm College of Law alumni

Category:Yale University alumni

Category:Jewish American state legislators in Colorado

Category:Candidates in the 2020 United States Senate elections

Category:21st-century American Jews

Category:21st-century members of the Colorado General Assembly