When Don Quick, a Democratic candidate for Colorado attorney general, visited Durango in January, there was an obvious place to meet with his supporters – Carver Brewing Co., a frequent host to Democratic candidates.
Yet when Cynthia Coffman, his Republican opponent, came to speak to her supporters, she chose a different venue – Christina’s Bar & Grill.
It’s a pattern that has developed in recent years. Both restaurants have frequently hosted political events, but Democrats tend to visit Carver’s, while those who sit across the aisle politic across town, at Christina’s.
Is this just another example of the red-blue divide? Microbrews versus Coors Light?
The venues plead nonpartisanship.
“We’re not affiliated with any party,” said Mike Hurst, co-owner of Carver Brewing, 1022 Main Ave. “We kind of host Republican and Democrat candidates. I think we maybe have a reputation of hosting Democrats more often because Bill (Carver, the brewpub’s founder) is good friends with the governor, so anytime Hickenlooper’s in town he swings through. I know we had a Kennedy in a couple of years back. But we’ve also hosted Republican candidates.”
Hurst said, “I like to think of us as more just pro-Durango and just trying to be involved in what’s going on in the community.”
At Christina’s, 21382 U.S. Highway 160 in west Durango, anyone is welcome to rent the banquet room, said Jonathan Naranjo, part of the family that owns the restaurant.
Naranjo said the staff enjoys visits from J. Paul Brown, a Republican candidate for the state House of Representatives.
“He’s real nice to all of us,” Naranjo said. “He practices his Spanish when he comes.”
Brown used Christina’s last November to announce his candidacy against state Rep. Michael McLachlan, D-Durango, in a rematch of their 2012 race.
Brown said Christina’s always has a meeting room available “on the spur of the moment.” He also feels an affinity with the Naranjo family.
“The reason I like Christina’s is that it’s run by some young Latino people,” he said. “They are entrepreneurs. They are hard workers. I don’t know if they’re Republicans or Democrats, but I want to give them business.”
Christina’s seems to have filled the void for Republican candidates left by K-Bob’s Steakhouse, which closed its location in Bodo Industrial Park several years ago. K-Bob’s was a favorite of Republican candidates at the time.
Brown was quick to point out he often stops for events at Carver’s.
McLachlan said he uses Carver’s for political events, but also goes to Durango Diner and Oscar’s. Candidates often gravitate to venues with welcoming owners, McLachlan said.
“Maybe (candidates) are familiar with the owners and they allow them to do that,” he said.
Durango businesses recently have been mostly quiet about their political preferences. In general, presidential elections tend to garner the most interest, and perhaps this year’s ballot of familiar faces is failing to inspire much boosting from businesses.
There are also common-sense reasons for businesses to exercise their right to maintain silence.
“A lot of times, businesses don’t want to say what their political view is in fear of losing customers,” said Jack Llewellyn, executive director of the Durango Chamber of Commerce.
Nationally, businesses such as Chick-Fil-A and Hobby Lobby have figured prominently in the news for staking controversial political positions. But locally, most businesses have kept their politics to themselves, beyond vague statements of sustainability or the value of buying local.
A few prominent business people have given to 2014 campaigns. Bill Carver gave $500 in April to Sen. Mark Udall’s re-election campaign, according to Federal Election Commission records.
Don Mapel, president of Durango Coca-Cola, donated $2,600 to Rep. Scott Tipton’s campaign in January.
Many others gave to political action committees, or PACs, related to their professions. The PACs can then in turn donate to candidates or causes.
But, mostly, this election season has been notable for the lack of business voices in the public square. Possible statewide ballot measures on hydraulic fracturing, a process used in and natural-gas and oil drilling, were pulled back.
The La Plata County sheriff’s race seems to be the most controversial local issue so far. That race hasn’t focused on business issues.
“This election year, things have been a little quieter,” Llewellyn said.
cslothower@durangoherald.com
