I am writing in response to recent letters to the editor accusing Paul Jones (independent candidate for HD 59) of lying about taking Political Action Committee (PAC) money. I am also writing regarding the recent onslaught of mail pieces distributed by “Our Colorado Values,” a Super PAC supporting Paul’s opponent, Rep. Barbara McLachlan.
Paul has not received or accepted any PAC money (Barbara has directly accepted in excess of $100,000 in corporate and special interest PAC donations). Feel free to check the Colorado Secretary of State’s website to verify my statements: click on elections, campaign finance, and do a search after clicking on TRACER, the state’s campaign finance database.
“Our Colorado Values” is behind the negative mail pieces recently sent out on behalf of McLachlan. These mailers claim that Paul is being “backed by shady, out-of-state interests.” What the flyers conveniently neglect to mention is that 99 percent of the income that “Our Colorado Values” has received came from out-of-state corporate interests like Walmart, Verizon, and Monsanto.
Both of the candidates running for House District 59 care about the district and are good people. But if you are tired of the vitriol and the publication of blatant lies that our current political system continues to deliver us each election cycle, then this time you have a choice.
Having a strong and viable independent candidate on the ballot gives us the options of sticking with the status quo or trying a different approach.
Kathleen Curry
Gunnison
