Durangoans picked as delegates at precinct caucus meetings tonight could play an important role in deciding which candidates the political parties place before voters in November.
The La Plata County Republicans and the Democratic parties meet at 7 p.m. to choose delegates to county assemblies later this month. The assemblies nominate candidates for county office and vote on delegates to the Congressional District Assembly and the State Assembly in April.
An unofficial 2014 primary candidate list has seven Republicans who have declared their campaigns for governor seeking to challenge incumbent Democrat John Hickenlooper in November. The primary election will be June 24, and the general election will be Nov. 4.
County seats up for election in November include treasurer, sheriff, assessor, surveyor and clerk and recorder.
La Plata County Democrats have a slate of contenders, including hopefuls Allison Morrissey for county treasurer; Sean Smith for sheriff; Craig Larson, an incumbent, for assessor; and Larry Connolly, an incumbent, for surveyor. Other Democrats will include Hickenlooper for governor, state Rep. Mike McLachlan, D-Durango; and U.S. Sen. Mark Udall.
Current Republican officials seeking re-election include U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez; and state Sen. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango. Locally, La Plata County Clerk Tiffany Lee Parker, Coroner Jan Smith, Sheriff Duke Schirard and Treasurer Ed Murray are GOP incumbents seeking re-election. Current County Commissioner Bobby Lieb will seek the position of La Plata County treasurer. In addition, Ignacio sheep rancher Republican J. Paul Brown is challenging McLachlan for the state House seat.
The last day to petition for candidacy is March 31.
Caucus locations
Locations for tonight’s precinct caucus meetings are available on each political party’s website:
Democrats: www.laplatadems.org/2014-party-caucus-information
Republicans: www.laplatarepublicans.org
