First elected to the Colorado House of Representatives from eastern Colorado Springs in 2000, Bill Cadman moved over to the Senate in 2007 when Ron May resigned. And after another resignation, that of Mike Kopp in 2011, he became the Senate Minority Leader. Although Cadman is a solid Republican, loyal to the core, he recognized that his new role called for leadership, not bickering and bomb-throwing. As a result, he's built a good relationship with Senate president Brandon Shaffer, elevated the overall level of discourse at the Capitol, and is now in a position to play a key role in the upcoming budgeting process.
Peoples' Choice: John Hickenlooper