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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

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.

The couple moved to Elgin, Illinois. Buckner then 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.

Career

Buckner was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives after defeating incumbent Republican Representative Cindy Acree in the 2012 election. 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. He won reelection after defeating Republican nominee Julie Marie A. Shepherd and Libertarian nominee Geoff Hierholz.

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.

Death and legacy

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. 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. 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. Janet was reelected to the state house in 2016 and 2018, and later became the Speaker pro tempore.

Electoral history

References

1. ^ "Longtime Aurora educator, state legislator John Buckner dies at 67". Sentinel Colorado. May 29, 2015. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
2. ^ "The Life & Legacy Of The Honorable John W. Buckner". Denver Urban Spectrum. July 2015. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
3. ^ "2012 Primary Election Results - Democratic Party Ballot". Secretary of State of Colorado. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
4. ^ "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. ^ "2014 Primary Election Results - Democratic Party Ballot". Secretary of State of Colorado. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021.
7. ^ "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.

External links

• Official page at the Colorado General Assembly
• Campaign site
• Biography at Ballotpedia
• Financial information (state office) at the National Institute for Money in State Politics

• 1947 births
• 2015 deaths
• African-American state legislators in Colorado
• Educators from Colorado
• Educators from Indiana
• Democratic Party members of the Colorado House of Representatives
• Ball State University alumni
• Politicians from Aurora, Colorado
• Politicians from Indianapolis
• 20th-century African-American politicians
• 21st-century African-American politicians
• Spouses of Colorado politicians
• 21st-century members of the Colorado General Assembly