Link to today's story in the Greeley Tribune
Link to today's story in the Denver Post
From the Greeley Tribune:
Republicans back Buck and Maes; Dems pick Romanoff
LOVELAND — Voters at Colorado's state assemblies from both parties were in an anti-establishment mood Saturday.
Republicans gave Weld District Attorney Ken Buck 77 percent of the vote at the assembly, giving him the top line on the August primary ballot, though Buck's two main opponents did not participate. Republicans also surprised many observers, voting to place businessman and tea party favorite Maes ahead of former congressman Scott McInnis on the primary ballot for governor. On the Democratic side, challenger Andrew Romanoff will get top billing on the ballot over incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet after winning the most votes at the state Democratic assembly.
Buck, whose campaign was once seen by many as a long shot, said he thinks voters' mood has played a key role in his success.
“This is a different election cycle,” he said by phone after the assembly. “I think Republican voters are tired of establishment candidates and I think we offer a fresh perspective.
Both gatherings were marked by the nationwide anti-incumbent and anti-political insider mood that has led to the recent primary election defeats of longtime Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Trey Grayson, who had been backed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in the Kentucky GOP Senate primary.
Maes, who has never held elected office, received a handful of votes more than McInnis. He criticized his own party as he addressed Republican activists.
“You keep telling the machine that this is about the people, not the politicians,” Maes said to cheers after his win was announced.
One Maes fan said she decided to back the first-time candidate after growing disillusioned with Republican insiders.
“We want a real person, not a Washington politician,” said Beverly Werner, who owns an auto body shop in suburban Aurora. “He wasn't hand-picked by the GOP, and we like that.”
Former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, Buck's main challenger for the GOP nomination, enjoys a large financial advantage over Buck. She didn't participate in Saturday's assembly and will petition onto the primary ballot.
Buck said the state assembly was important to the campaign.
“I think it gives us great moment,” he said. “We leave the state convention with a statewide organization of energized activists, and I am looking forward to meeting more people and building on our base of support.”
Though Bennet and McInnis earned enough support Saturday to make the Aug. 10 primary ballots, coming in second was a setback. Each holds wide fundraising advantages and has been considered the favorite in their races.
Romanoff, the former state House Speaker, got 60 percent of the Democratic delegate votes Saturday, while Bennet got 40 percent.
Romanoff, who also trumped Bennet in Democratic caucus primaries in March, told delegates he would support Bennet if he wins the nomination.
The state assemblies are just one step in a what can be a long convoluted process in Colorado to get elected. Not winning top ballot billing in the state's party assemblies doesn't necessarily signify that a candidate's campaign is doomed.
In 2004, Colorado Springs Schools Superintendent Mike Miles got top billing over Salazar in the Senate Democratic primary. But Salazar went on to win the primary and the general election.
Adding to the confusion, the two top parties have different systems for getting on the state ballot.
While Democrats can participate in the assemblies and get signatures at the same time, Republican candidates have to pick one process or the other. Either way, they need 1,500 signatures from each congressional district by May 27.
The only front-runner to cruise to victory Saturday was Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Hickenlooper. The Denver mayor had no opposition in the Democratic contest to replace Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter, who is not seeking re-election.
Buck will keep doing what has worked as he tries to close the gap on Norton before the August primary. A recent poll of Republican voters showed Norton with a 5 percentage point lead.
“The process is the same for us,” he said. “I will continue to go out and meet people and answer questions and talk about how I approach the job of United States Senator. I think we will do very well following the same formula we have so far.”
Republicans gave Weld District Attorney Ken Buck 77 percent of the vote at the assembly, giving him the top line on the August primary ballot, though Buck's two main opponents did not participate. Republicans also surprised many observers, voting to place businessman and tea party favorite Maes ahead of former congressman Scott McInnis on the primary ballot for governor. On the Democratic side, challenger Andrew Romanoff will get top billing on the ballot over incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet after winning the most votes at the state Democratic assembly.
Buck, whose campaign was once seen by many as a long shot, said he thinks voters' mood has played a key role in his success.
“This is a different election cycle,” he said by phone after the assembly. “I think Republican voters are tired of establishment candidates and I think we offer a fresh perspective.
Both gatherings were marked by the nationwide anti-incumbent and anti-political insider mood that has led to the recent primary election defeats of longtime Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Trey Grayson, who had been backed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in the Kentucky GOP Senate primary.
Maes, who has never held elected office, received a handful of votes more than McInnis. He criticized his own party as he addressed Republican activists.
“You keep telling the machine that this is about the people, not the politicians,” Maes said to cheers after his win was announced.
One Maes fan said she decided to back the first-time candidate after growing disillusioned with Republican insiders.
“We want a real person, not a Washington politician,” said Beverly Werner, who owns an auto body shop in suburban Aurora. “He wasn't hand-picked by the GOP, and we like that.”
Former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, Buck's main challenger for the GOP nomination, enjoys a large financial advantage over Buck. She didn't participate in Saturday's assembly and will petition onto the primary ballot.
Buck said the state assembly was important to the campaign.
“I think it gives us great moment,” he said. “We leave the state convention with a statewide organization of energized activists, and I am looking forward to meeting more people and building on our base of support.”
Though Bennet and McInnis earned enough support Saturday to make the Aug. 10 primary ballots, coming in second was a setback. Each holds wide fundraising advantages and has been considered the favorite in their races.
Romanoff, the former state House Speaker, got 60 percent of the Democratic delegate votes Saturday, while Bennet got 40 percent.
Romanoff, who also trumped Bennet in Democratic caucus primaries in March, told delegates he would support Bennet if he wins the nomination.
The state assemblies are just one step in a what can be a long convoluted process in Colorado to get elected. Not winning top ballot billing in the state's party assemblies doesn't necessarily signify that a candidate's campaign is doomed.
In 2004, Colorado Springs Schools Superintendent Mike Miles got top billing over Salazar in the Senate Democratic primary. But Salazar went on to win the primary and the general election.
Adding to the confusion, the two top parties have different systems for getting on the state ballot.
While Democrats can participate in the assemblies and get signatures at the same time, Republican candidates have to pick one process or the other. Either way, they need 1,500 signatures from each congressional district by May 27.
The only front-runner to cruise to victory Saturday was Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Hickenlooper. The Denver mayor had no opposition in the Democratic contest to replace Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter, who is not seeking re-election.
Buck will keep doing what has worked as he tries to close the gap on Norton before the August primary. A recent poll of Republican voters showed Norton with a 5 percentage point lead.
“The process is the same for us,” he said. “I will continue to go out and meet people and answer questions and talk about how I approach the job of United States Senator. I think we will do very well following the same formula we have so far.”
http://www.greeleytribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100523/NEWS/100529845/1008&parentprofile=1001&template=printart
No comments:
Post a Comment