Meet the candidates for Boulder County treasurer in the 2026 Democratic primary

Boulder County voters will choose a new county treasurer this year, selecting the official responsible for overseeing county investments, collecting property taxes and managing other financial operations. 

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Two Democrats are vying for the seat: former Boulder City Councilmember and attorney Rachel Friend and Superior Town Councilmember and real estate broker Jenn Kaaoush. Because no Republican filed for the race, the winner of the June 30 primary will become the county’s next treasurer. 

Current Treasurer Paul Weissmann, who has held the position for 11 years, told Boulder Reporting Lab that the job is largely an administrative position, with little decision-making capacity.

“There’s very little you could do outside of what you’re told to do,” he said. “It’s really [about] the comfort level of being an administrator and following the law, and making sure that everything happens on time.”

Weissmann said most of his day-to-day work is also handled by staff, with a few exceptions, like dealing with bankruptcies and answering court summons.

He said he told both Friend and Kaaoush that “their biggest job is keeping the staff happy.” 

“The last thing you want in a place like this, a small office, is staff and whoever the treasurer is not getting along,” he said. “It’s mitigating what life really throws at folks, making sure that folks feel appreciated and they’re happy with their work.”

In a March vote among Boulder County Democratic delegates to determine which candidates would appear on the ballot, Kaaoush received 48.1% support to Friend’s 41.8%. 

At that caucus, Friend highlighted her endorsements from former state Sen. Steve Fenberg and Sen. Judy Amabile of Boulder. 

“Look at who is supporting Rachel,” Fenberg said. “The people who trust Rachel are people you trust as well.”

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Friend also said she had been “repeatedly battle-tested” during her time on Boulder City Council, helping to manage the city’s budget during the King Soopers shooting, the pandemic and major wildfires. 

Kaaoush emphasized her personal experience with financial hardship and a career focused on financial oversight and government systems.

“I’m not running because this position was a next step in a political career,” Kaaoush said. “I’m running because I understand financial vulnerability and because I have spent decades learning how systems work so I can protect people when it matters most.” 

In closing arguments at a June 11 debate run by the League of Women Voters, Friend emphasized a need for kindness within the office and Kaaoush pushed for going above and beyond the job requirements to serve the community.

“I love to repeat this line from Leslie Knope from [the TV show] Parks and Rec: ‘What I hear when I’m being yelled at is people caring loudly at me,’” Friend said. “These days in politics, we’re often going for jugulars and fighting, and there is so much caring loudly. I can fight, but I think in this world we really need bridge builders and people who are kind to each other.”

“I will advocate for needed upgrades to serve the community. I will push for sensible change, but I will mostly work hard to create a good vibe for the staff and community members, and to have really outstanding service,” she said.

Kaaoush pushed for the treasurer’s office to be more proactive.

“While funds are being cut at the state and federal level, and while our systems are being tested and our nonprofits are being pressed, anybody who is about to be elected into a paid government position better have a vision of doing more for the community than just the job requirements,” she said. 

“That is something that I think is imperative, to make sure that we are being preventative and using the information in the office to help the community more than it’s doing now.”

Boulder Reporting Lab sent questions to both candidates about how they plan to approach the role. Read their answers and their candidate profiles below: 

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Questions we asked each candidate

Jump to candidate profiles:
Rachel Friend • Jenn Kaaoush

• Motivation: Why do you want to serve as Boulder County treasurer? 
• Experience: What past professional, financial or management experience has prepared you for this role? 
• Leadership: How would you describe your leadership and management style?
• Management: Current Treasurer Paul Weissmann has said that one of the most important parts of the job is keeping staff happy. What managerial experience do you have, and how have you fostered positive and productive workplace cultures in the past? 
• Learning curve: Some aspects of the treasurer’s role are unique to the office and difficult to learn before taking office. How would you approach getting up to speed in your first year of the job? 
• Qualifications: What sets you apart as a candidate, and why will this make you a better treasurer?