A Republican who planned to challenge state Rep. Barbara McLachlan in House District 59 did not make the primary ballot.
Joe Brinkerhoff of Durango would have been unopposed in the Republican primary election.
Brinkerhoff was registered with the Green Party on the day of the 59th House Republican Assembly in late March when he was nominated to run, and therefore, his candidacy was not certified, said Ronnie Zaday, secretary of the 59th House District Republican Central Committee previously.
Brinkerhoff said he was renewing his driver’s license at the Department of Motor Vehicles shortly before the assembly when a clerk changed his party affiliation.
“I had no idea the clerk marked the Green Party,” he said.
But Brinkerhoff said he is not giving up on the race. He has been in contact with the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office about appearing on the November ballot, he said.
Brinkerhoff has registered a campaign committee with the Secretary of State’s Office, but he has not reported spending any money on the race.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
