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John Buckner (Colorado politician)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Buckner
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives
from the 40th district
In office
2013 – May 28, 2015
Preceded byCindy Acree
Succeeded byJanet Buckner
Personal details
Born
John William Buckner

(1947-11-12)November 12, 1947
Indianapolis, Indiana
DiedMay 28, 2015(2015-05-28) (aged 67)
Aurora, Colorado
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJanet Buckner
Children3
EducationBall State University (BA)

John William Buckner (September 12, 1947 – May 28, 2015) was an American educator and politician who served in the Colorado House of Representatives from the 40th district from 2013 to 2015, as a member of the Democratic Party. He was the first black person to represent the 40th district in the state house.

Early life and education

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John William Buckner was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on September 12, 1947, to Robert G. Buckner Jr. and Rachel D. Hardrick. He graduated from Shortridge High School in 1965. He graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Arts in education in 1969. Buckner met his wife Janet Buckner, with whom he had three children, at Ball State University and married her on August 16, 1969.[1][2]

The couple moved to Elgin, Illinois. Buckner sthen worked in the Cherry Creek School District for thirty-three years. In 1975, he became an assistant principal at Laredo Middle School and later worked as assistant principal at Smoky Hill High School and Prairie Middle School. From 1988 to 2005, he worked as the principal at Overland High School.[2][1]

Career

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Buckner was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives after defeating incumbent Republican Representative Cindy Acree in the 2012 election.[3][4] Acree had been redrawn into a more Democratic district after having easily won in the 2008 election and facing no Democratic opponent in the 2010 election.[5] He won reelection after defeating Republican nominee Julie Marie A. Shepherd and Libertarian nominee Geoff Hierholz.[6][7]

He was the first black person to represent the 40th district in the state house and served as vice-chair of the Black Caucus. Buckner also served as the chair of the Education committee.[8]

Death and legacy

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Bucker took a leave of absence from the Colorado General Assembly in April 2015 due to health concerns. He died on May 28, from sarcoidosis in Aurora, Colorado.[1][9] His name was added to the Emily Maureen Ellen Keyes and John W. Buckner Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Fund permanently by the state house.[10] Buckner's wife was selected unanimously by a vacancy committee of Arapahoe County House Democrats on June 25, to fill his seat and took office on July 15.[11] Janet was reelected to the state house in 2016 and 2018, and later became the Speaker pro tempore.[12][13]

Electoral history

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2012 Colorado House of Representatives 40th district Democratic primary[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Buckner 2,130 100.00%
Total votes 2,130 100.00%
2012 Colorado House of Representatives 13th district election[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Buckner 20,163 57.17%
Republican Cindy Acree (incumbent) 15,106 42.83%
Total votes 35,269 100.00%
2014 Colorado House of Representatives 40th district Democratic primary[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Buckner (incumbent) 2,534 100.00%
Total votes 2,534 100.00%
2014 Colorado House of Representatives 13th district election[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Buckner (incumbent) 13,815 51.29%
Republican Julie Marie A. Shepherd 11,802 43.82%
Libertarian Geoff Hierholz 1,318 4.89%
Total votes 26,935 100.00%

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Longtime Aurora educator, state legislator John Buckner dies at 67". Sentinel Colorado. May 29, 2015. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "The Life & Legacy Of The Honorable John W. Buckner". Denver Urban Spectrum. July 2015. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "2012 Primary Election Results - Democratic Party Ballot". Secretary of State of Colorado. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "2012 General Election Results". Secretary of State of Colorado. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
  5. ^ "Colorado Republican campaigns in a new Democratic friendly seat". The Denver Post. July 21, 2012. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "2014 Primary Election Results - Democratic Party Ballot". Secretary of State of Colorado. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "2014 General Election Results". Secretary of State of Colorado. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
  8. ^ "ACLU Statement on the Passing of State Representative John Buckner". American Civil Liberties Union. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
  9. ^ "John W. Buckner". The Denver Post. June 7, 2015. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
  10. ^ "House votes unanimously to add John Buckner's name to organ donor awareness fund". Colorado Politics. March 1, 2017. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
  11. ^ "Janet Buckner sworn in as new House District 40 representative". Sentinel Colorado. July 15, 2015. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
  12. ^ "Democratic Colo. state Rep. Janet Buckner named speaker pro tempore". Colorado Politics. December 2, 2018. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
  13. ^ "Colorado House Speaker Pro Tem Janet Buckner to run for Aurora state Senate seat". Colorado Politics. September 9, 2019. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
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