Jared Polis

Jared Polis
Polis in 2019
43rd Governor of Colorado
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 8, 2019
LieutenantDianne Primavera
Preceded byJohn Hickenlooper
Chair of the National Governors Association
Incumbent
Assumed office
July 12, 2024
Preceded bySpencer Cox
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Colorado's 2nd district
In office
January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2019
Preceded byMark Udall
Succeeded byJoe Neguse
Member of the Colorado State Board of Education
from the at-large district
In office
January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2007
Preceded byBen Alexander
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
Personal details
Born
Jared Schutz

(1975-05-12) May 12, 1975 (age 49)
Boulder, Colorado, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
​
(m. 2021)​
Children2
RelativesSusan Polis (mother)
EducationPrinceton University (BA)
Signature
Jared Polis's voice
Jared Polis on his support for an amendment to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Recorded May 27, 2010

Jared Schutz Polis (/ˈpoʊlɪs/ POH-liss;[1] né Schutz; born May 12, 1975)[2] is an American politician and businessman serving since 2019 as the 43rd governor of Colorado. He served one term on the Colorado State Board of Education from 2001 to 2007, and five terms as the United States representative from Colorado's 2nd congressional district from 2009 to 2019. He was the only Democratic member of the libertarian conservative Liberty Caucus,[3][4] and was the third-wealthiest member of Congress, with an estimated net worth of $122.6 million.[5] He was elected governor of Colorado in 2018 and reelected in 2022.

As an openly gay man, Polis has made history several times through his electoral success. In 2008, he became the first openly gay man and second openly LGBT person (after Tammy Baldwin) elected to Congress as a non-incumbent.[6][7] In 2011, he became the first openly gay parent in Congress.[8] In 2018, he became the first openly gay man and second openly LGBT person (after Kate Brown) elected governor of a U.S. state.[9][10] He is also the first Jewish person elected governor of Colorado.[11] In 2021, he became the first governor in a same-sex marriage.[12] In 2022, he became the first openly gay man and the first governor in a same-sex marriage elected to a second term in office.[13]

  1. ^ Colorado elects country's first openly gay governor Jared Polis. CBS News. November 6, 2018. Event occurs at 00:08. Retrieved August 20, 2024 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ "Jared Polis (1975-)". Jewish Virtual Library - A Project of Alice. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  3. ^ Smith, Allan (May 3, 2020). "Republicans are reopening. Why is Democratic Gov. Polis doing the same in Colorado?". NBC News. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  4. ^ Sheridan, Jake (January 9, 2023). "Mayor Lori Lightfoot demands Colorado stop busing migrants to Chicago in letter to governor". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  5. ^ Goodland, Marianne. "Colorado's candidates for governor: Wealthy? Yes. How wealthy? Good question". The Colorado Statesman. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  6. ^ "Polis wins Colo. 2nd District". The Denver Post. November 5, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  7. ^ Fingerhut, Eric (November 12, 2008). "Congressional roundup: three new Jews, but no rabbi". St. Louis Jewish Light. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  8. ^ Terkel, Amanda (September 30, 2011). "Jared Polis Announces Birth Of Son, Becoming First Openly Gay Parent In Congress". HuffPost. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  9. ^ "Jared Polis to become Colorado's first openly gay governor". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  10. ^ Nugent, Ciara (November 7, 2018). "Jared Polis Makes History As America's First Openly Gay Male Governor". Time. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  11. ^ "Jared Polis elected first Jewish governor of Colorado". The Times of Israel. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. November 7, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  12. ^ Birkeland, Bente (September 15, 2021). "Gov. Jared Polis And Long-Time Partner Marlon Reis Marry In Small, Private Ceremony". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  13. ^ Ring, Trudy (November 8, 2022). "Colorado's Jared Polis Is First Out Gay Man Reelected Governor". The Advocate. Retrieved January 18, 2022.