They’re calling them the “dream team.”
County democrats turned out Saturday morning for the La Plata County Democratic Party General Assembly at Fort Lewis College to show support for candidates for state and local office in November.
“This is amazing to have a slate of candidates step up, all with such amazing professional backgrounds and experience in public service,” party secretary and former chairwoman Jean Walter said. “They are all so qualified.”
Former party executive committee member Laura Godfry described it as “grass roots.”
“It’s involvement at the most basic level,” she said.
Party chairwoman Denise Bohemier charged the audience of more than 60 right away.
“It’s your job to get people to the polls,” she said.
Referring to candidate speeches at Thursday’s Republican County Assembly, Bohemier said, “If we don’t get people out to vote, this is what we’re going to end up with.”
Letters were read on behalf of Democratic U.S. senators, Michael Bennet and Mark Udall, and Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper.
The governor’s letter addressed marriage equality, environmental protection and economy.
Fifty-ninth District state Rep. Mike McLachlan, D-Durango, spoke about the importance of parties working together.
“We need to do as much as we can in a bipartisan manner,” he said. “Sometimes we can learn something.”
McLachlan, often targeted for his votes last year on gun-control legislation, added that he is the only Vietnam veteran in the state House of Representatives.
“I’m going to work hard to keep the House in the Democratic majority,” he said.
The audience gave him a standing ovation.
County treasurer candidate Allsion Morrissey highlighted her background with corporations such as Microsoft, saying the office is “a professional job that needs professional qualifications.”
“A wrong financial decision by a county treasurer impacts the ability of the county commissioners to pay the bills on time, and we all know what happens then,” she said.“I’ve never lost 1 dollar of other people’s money.”
La Plata County Deputy Sheriff Sean Smith announced his candidacy for county sheriff, saying he will bring professionalism and responsibility to the office.
“I can do better,” he said about the office’s $14 million budget and 130 staff members.
Smith, a Desert Storm veteran, said he worked for the U.S. Department of Justice in Oklahoma but felt he could do more here.
“I was spoiled in La Plata County,” he said. “I was given the opportunity to work on many things that made a difference in this community. I could see the results in people’s lives.
“Many people ask, what will I do differently?” he said. “I guess the answer is just about everything.”
Cynthia Roebuck announced her candidacy for county commissioner.
“I’ve been working with the county commissioners and the City Council for a long time,” Roebuck said. She said she’s interested in the land-use code and a long-range vision for that.
“I have intimate knowledge of the issues,” she said. “I’ve been working as an agent for citizens in the county, developers and individuals, and I feel like I can bring really good perspective, and I’d like to offer that.”
Bohemier called it all an engaged turnout.
“I’m looking forward to winning elections in November,” she said.
bmathis@durangoherald.com
