Patrick Swonger on Thursday announced he intends to petition to be a candidate in the June Democratic primary for state House District 59.
The Colorado Democratic Party disqualified Swonger two weeks ago, citing party rules stipulating that candidates must be registered Democrats for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”
The next general election will take place Nov. 6. Swonger registered as a Democrat on Nov. 7, 2011.
As late as August 2011, Swonger was a registered Republican, though over the last decade he has consistently supported and voted for Democratic candidates such as Sen. Michael Bennett, Gov. John Hickenlooper and Brian O’Donnell, he said.
Swonger’s position as a Silverton town councilman was nonpartisan.
To get on the Democratic primary ballot, Swonger must collect 1,000 signatures from just more than 7 percent of the 13,712 registered Democrats in the district, which became more competitive for Democrats after a reapportionment process last year spurred by the census. Furthermore, he will have to collect those signatures in the 55 days from Feb. 6 to April 2 – or at a rate of more than 18 signatures per day.
Swonger was undaunted by the task.
“I think it will be pretty easy and fun – the process will put me in direct contact with voters and give me a chance to talk to them,” he said. “We’ll collect extra signatures, just in case.”
Though Swonger considered contesting the Colorado Democratic Party’s ruling in the courts, he said he had “looked at all the options over the last few days, and petitioning is the best way to proceed. I’m really pleased to have a positive way to move forward.”
The option to petition is provided by Colorado statutes.
Some local politicos took umbrage with the party’s disqualification of Swonger. Jaime McMillan, who is running in District 59 as an independent and had been contemplating ending his candidacy, said, “Swonger’s circumstance has invigorated me. I’ll stay in the race because political party rules are prohibiting qualified people of integrity to run for higher office.”
Matt Inzeo, communications director of the Colorado Democratic Party, acknowledged that some local Democrats were critical of the party disqualifying Swonger.
“We certainly realize that there are lot of people who see potential in Mr. Swonger, and it’s certainly understandable that they wanted to see him go through the traditional caucus process. But there was a technical problem,” he said.
Of Swonger’s decision to stay in the race, Denise Bohemier, chairman of La Plata County Democrats, said, “I think it’s great.”
As Durango lawyer Michael McLachlan’s name continues to crop up in conversations with Democrats about District 59, Swonger’s decision to petition could make a competitive Democratic primary more likely.
McLachlan did not return calls requesting a comment.
