Republicans turned out in force for Wednesday’s caucuses with an eye toward local elections and a list of county priorities and state and national concerns.
Ahead of November’s election, Republican voters are focused on county issues such as the land-use code, voting and education, and they are strong in their support for Brad Blake returning to office as commissioner of District 1. State and national politics also brought out party voters, as they sought to pass local resolutions and voice their opposition to liberal policies.
At VFW Post 4031 on Main Avenue, about 60 Republican voters laid out a list of priorities for the county.
Among those was a shared belief that La Plata County’s recent update to its land-use code was insufficient. Patrick Hegarty said the county’s land-use code does not do enough to allow people to develop their private property.
Hegarty was hopeful that Blake would work to reform the land-use code so that it gives private landowners greater discretion over their property and allows for greater development.
“Brad Blake is wonderful. He supports common-sense development,” Hegarty said. “That’s critical to the betterment of the county.”
Voters also expressed concern about elections and their integrity.
Nora Montgomery said election security was one of her top priorities, calling for stringent voter identification regulations. It was a sentiment echoed by several others sitting at Montgomery’s Precinct 10 table and shared by Hegarty.
“Everything else in life you have to show an ID for,” Hegarty said.
Republicans in La Plata County are broadly in support of county Clerk and Recorder Tiffany Lee, an independent, who they say has done a good job maintaining the integrity of local elections
Education and pandemic health policies emerged as two other targets for Republican voters over the course of the evening, both at the VFW Post and the Florida Grange on Colorado Highway 172.
“Education issues are top of mind,” said Sidny Zink, chairwoman of Precinct 2.
Attendees at both caucuses pointed to changes in school board elections, including electing Republican school board officials and changing the way school board members are elected. The expansion of school choice and a belief that parents should have greater say in what schools teach were also priorities.
At the Florida Grange, a group of about 30 Republicans gathered amid American flags to vote on resolutions that will be passed along to the La Plata County and state GOP. Those resolutions included initiatives to install cameras in classrooms to more closely monitor what is being taught in schools and a move to switch school board elections from at-large voting to district specific voting.
The group also passed resolutions aimed at eliminating repercussions based on vaccination status and limiting the intervention of government health agencies and providers in public and personal health.
“There needs to be some better oversight of San Juan Basin Public Health,” Hegarty said at the VFW.
State and national politics also permeated the caucuses. Inflation, energy development and border security were all topics of discussion and points of frustration with President Joe Biden and his administration.
Republicans at the Florida Grange passed resolutions to end “wildlife management by ballot” in Colorado, pointing to the state’s mandated wolf reintroduction, which was largely carried by voters on the Front Range. They also passed a resolution to limit the scope of the governor’s emergency powers by giving the Legislature more say in emergency orders.
Across the board, Republican voters expressed strong support for Blake and a belief the party can win the county commissioner election and regional elections for Colorado House District 59 and Congressional District 3.
“If people get to hear (Blake), they’ll be convinced that he has the community’s best interest at heart,” Zink said.
In an interview, Blake said he has felt great support across La Plata County so far.
“I had good support in the last election and I just barely came up short,” he said. “But I feel like I’ve had great support this go around. I’ve talked to a number of Democrats and independents who are saying that they will absolutely support me and that is very encouraging. It’s great news.”
The Republicans will also field at least one challenger in House District 59, where Shelli Shaw will face off against Democratic incumbent Barbara McLachlan, said Dave Peters, chairman of the La Plata County GOP.
While Democrats currently control all three county commissioner offices and House District 59, Peters was confident Republicans can win local elections.
“If we stand to our issues and start fighting inflation and things that hit people’s pocketbook, we’ll attract a lot of those unaffiliated voters,” he said in an interview. “We’re still very competitive.”
Republicans’ confidence, focus and energy was on full display during the caucus.
Peters said turnout increased 60% from two years ago. When Peters asked new caucus participants at the VFW to raise their hand, about 15 people did so.
“There’s a lot of people that are disenchanted,” Hegarty said, a broad feeling that Republicans at the caucuses shared and see as an opportunity to elect Republican officials.
Deborah Flora, a Republican challenger to Sen. Michael Bennet, gave a fiery speech at the VFW reinforcing Republicans’ drive.
“Who here is tired of losing?” Flora asked to nods and voices of agreement. She argued that Republicans can retake Colorado’s Senate seat.
“This is our year to do it,” she said.
The optimism shared by Republicans at the VFW was palpable.
“The Republican Party is truly active,” Hegarty said. “People are very motivated.”
ahannon@durangoherald.com
