Cleave Simpson | |
|---|---|
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| Minority Leader of theColorado Senate | |
| Assumed office June 12, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Lundeen |
| Member of theColorado Senate from the6th district | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Redistricted |
| Member of theColorado Senate from the35th district | |
| In office January 13, 2021 – January 9, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Larry Crowder |
| Succeeded by | Redistricted |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cleave Alan Simpson Jr. 1960 or 1961 (age 64–65) Alamosa, Colorado, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Cathy |
| Education | Colorado School of Mines (BS) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Cleave Alan Simpson Jr.[1] (born 1960/1961)[2] is an American politician fromAlamosa, Colorado. ARepublican, Simpson representsColorado State SenateDistrict 6.[3][4] Prior to the implementation of 2020 redistricting in 2023, Simpson represented the formerColorado State SenateDistrict 35.[5] He was elected as minority leader in June 2025.[6]
Simpson is the general manager of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District and also served on theAdams State University Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2020. A native of theSan Luis Valley, he is a fourth-generation farmer and rancher there. He graduated from theColorado School of Mines in 1984.[7][8]
In the 2020 Republican primary election ofColorado's 35th Senate district, Simpson ran unopposed.[9] In the2020 general election, Simpson defeated hisDemocratic Party opponent, winning 60.12% of the vote.[10]
Simpson ran for re-election in 2024. In the Republican primary election held June 25, 2024, he ran unopposed.[11] In the general election held November 5, 2024, Simpson defeatedDemocratic candidate Vivian Smotherman, winning 55.91% of the total votes cast.[12]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Cleave Simpson | 43,970 | 60.12% | |
| Democratic | Carlos R. Lopez | 29,163 | 39.88% | |
| Total votes | 73,133 | 100% | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
| Colorado Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Minority Leader of theColorado Senate 2025–present | Incumbent |
Statewide political officials ofColorado | ||
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