Data for Progress
8%6%4%2%0%
6%
CO-01 Democratic nominee?
$1.5M
JUL 7, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleBusiness owner
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderFemale
LocationColorado
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BackgroundBusiness owner
EducationUniversity of Colorado Boulder (graduate)
Notable personal detailsWanda L. James is an American business owner, public official, and U.S. Navy veteran. She serves on the University of Colorado Board of Regents representing Colorado’s 1st congressional district (term beginning in 2023). She is a cannabis industry entrepreneur and CEO associated with Denver-based Simply Pure Dispensary, and has run for U.S. House in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 cycle.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govwanda4congress.comconnections.cu.educoloradosos.goven.wikipedia.orgaxios.comthecandidate.comcannabisbusinesstimes.comwandaljames.comwestword.comchicago.suntimes.comcoloradoinformed.comtokersguide.compolitics1.commarijuanamoment.netdenverurbanspectrum.comcoloradopolitics.comcoloradotimesrecorder.comyahoo.comdenver7.combearingarms.comfoxnews.comprogressivevotersguide.comhelm.newswarriorpac.orgcpr.orgdenvergazette.comhighcountryadvocate.orgbet.comlaw.asu.eduthehub.newstallapoosapropertytax.comdocquery.fec.govmjbizdaily.comcoloradonewsline.comdenverite.comcoloradosun.comdenverpost.comyellowscene.com9news.com19thnews.orgcnn.comthehill.comballotpedia.orgbluevoterguide.orghigherheightsforamericapac.orgballotready.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orggovinfo.govboebert.house.govtrahan.house.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgwesterncaucus.house.govcdn.ballotpedia.orgcongress.govhouse.govwikidata.orgziplook.house.govvotesmart.orgmcclellan.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Advocates reforming federal tax treatment of the cannabis industry (specifically ending or changing the 280E tax penalty) and expanding access to banking and SBA loans for small cannabis businesses; frames federal legalization and tax reform as necessary to support small and minority-owned businesses and enable economic opportunity. No broad, general statement on overall tax rates or major government spending priorities was found in the sourced materials.
Healthcare
Supports treating health care as a human right and advancing toward Medicare for All or universal health care; would give Medicare power to negotiate drug prices and expand community health centers and VA health care funding.
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Immigration & Border
Supports a humane, modern immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for Dreamers, farmworkers, and long-term essential workers while endorsing targeted border security measures that use technology to stop trafficking and drugs without breaking up families.
Climate & Energy
Supports accelerating investment in renewable energy, energy storage, and next-generation clean technologies; advocates rebuilding the energy grid and expanding electric vehicle infrastructure to create jobs and protect air, water, and public lands. Emphasizes federal incentives and incubators for clean tech and infrastructure investment as part of economic and climate policy.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate has promoted Second Amendment rights and co-founded a Black-owned gun training business (1770 Armory) that provides firearms safety and concealed-carry training; her public statements emphasize firearms training, safety, and empowering Black gun owners. Available public materials show support for exercising gun rights alongside safety training rather than advocacy for strict new gun-control measures.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Wanda James is in the news because she is tied to a Colorado Democratic primary event that was disrupted after Denver-area venues canceled a rally featuring Hasan Piker and two candidates over security concerns. The event was moved to the Colorado Capitol steps, and the story has sparked debate inside the party about whether appearing with Piker helps candidates reach younger voters or creates political risk. One candidate and Piker did not attend in person.
fec.gov+59
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
CO-01 Democratic nominee?
Endorsers of Wanda James for CO-01 Democratic nominee?
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$300.0K
$225.0K
$150.0K
$75.0K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$300.0K
$33.9K
$266.0K
$14.8K
Source: FEC