Ballots for the 2014 Colorado primary election were mailed out last week. Ballots can be dropped off at the La Plata county Fairgrounds, the courthouse, at the Clerk & Recorder’s offices in Durango or Bayfield as well as at the new 24-hour drop-off box at the clerk’s Bodo Park office. Ballots must be returned – not just postmarked – by 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 24.
That is, for those voting in the Republican primary. For Democrats or voters affiliated with the American Constitution Party, none of that matters. There are no contested positions on either of those ballots, and, as such, no votes to be counted.
Republicans face three choices. They will be picking their party’s nominees for U.S. representative, for state Board of Education member and for governor. In those races, The Durango Herald urges a vote for incumbents Scott Tipton and Marcia Neal and for Bob Beauprez.
U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton is running for his third term representing Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes most of the Western Slope, plus Pueblo. He has a solidly conservative voting record and has grown more accessible over time. Republican voters have no reason to reject him, and every reason to endorse him.
His opponent is David Cox, a peach farmer from Palisade. On his website, he says: “Our representatives disregard and disrespect the law of the land by ignoring or assisting in criminality” – but offers nothing to show how that applies to Tipton. Indeed, with Tipton, sporting approval ratings from conservative groups in the 75 percent to 100 percent range, the tea party will find it hard to get a purchase on him.
Vote for Scott Tipton.
Marcia Neal is the incumbent Board of Education member from the 3rd Congressional District. She has an extensive résumé and a solid record of experience both in education and as a small business owner.
Neal’s opponent is Barbara Ann Smith. Like Neal, she opposes the federal Common Core but, in her case, makes it sound as if she thinks she is running against President Obama. She also told the La Plata County Republicans she just bought an assault rifle, which is her right, but has little to do with the board of eduction.
Vote for Marcia Neal.
The GOP race for governor is a four-way contest that is likely benefiting Gov. John Hickenlooper’s re-election chances. Republican voters would do well to recognize Bob Beauprez as the clear choice.
Mike Kopp is a former state senator with strong conservative stands on the issues and just about zero name recognition. He has little chance.
Scott Gessler is the incumbent state secretary of state. He is principally known for mishandling his office’s budget and spending his time on efforts to suppress voter turnout in the name of preventing fraud.
Tom Tancredo is a former congressman and presidential candidate whose single-minded focus on illegal immigration has been so arch as to leave him permanently tarred as extreme. His popularity overall is such that Denver’s FOX31 and The Associated Press have reported Democratic groups are trying to help him win the nomination.
Bob Beauprez has an exemplary record as a farmer, community banker and rancher. He served two terms in Congress representing Colorado’s 7th Congressional District. Having run for governor before, in 2006, he knows the drill and is familiar to Colorado voters. He has the endorsements of his one-time gubernatorial opponent, state Sen. Greg Brophy, as well as Durango’s state Sen. Ellen Roberts and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. He is the clear choice for Republicans who put competence and potential success in November over ideological purity.
Vote for Bob Beauprez.
