Raw Politics: Off To The Races
Abortion, Guns, Health Care, Election Integrity: Do Not Underestimate The Power Of Your Vote
By Penfield W. Tate III
For the GPHN
It’s that time of year again: choices, choices and more choices. Next month, on Nov. 8, we will be going to the voting booth. I like saying that, even though in Colorado we are an all-mail ballot state. Bottom line: we will select a new batch of political leaders.
It may sound trite but it is true that this election is important, and our civic responsibility. Simply look around the country and you will see how crucial access to the ballot remains. In the wake of the last presidential cycle, a loser is still claiming he won, and numerous states have enacted measures to make it more difficult — not easier — to vote. Election deniers and cynics are claiming that rampant fraud – unproven at any level and even rejected by the former U.S. Attorney General as “BS.”
Colorado as a bipartisan beacon stands out as proof that voter access is easy, secure and reliable regardless of party affiliation. So, let’s take advantage of the exemplary system we have in this state, forged on that bipartisan basis over decades, and look at the candidates.
Check out these numbers
Unfortunately in political campaigns money matters hugely, and this year has been no exception. Money is not a predictor, but it impacts if and how you can message and build a campaign staff.
As of press time every Republican candidate this cycle, with the exception of the state treasurer’s race, reports less cash on hand now than their 2018 counterparts at a similar point in those races. By a lot. In the governor’s race, for example, Republican Heidi Ganahl has $188,000 on hand. Four years ago the Republican candidate, Walker Stapleton, had $555,379 at this stage.
Every statewide Republican candidate in Colorado this year has raised less than their Democratic opponent. Outside money notwithstanding, this is a huge shift from past cycles, where Republicans historically enjoyed a large cash advantage.
This is likely not just due to the fact that Colorado has turned purple-leaning-to-blue but is doubtless impacted by the national scene, where election deniers and conspiracy theorists hold temporary sway over the Grand Old Party in a way at odds to the thinking of most Colorado Republicans and independents — who make up just over a third of registered voters in our state.
Governor’s Race: Polis vs. Ganahl
Now the races.
Heidi Ganahl is running against incumbent Gov. Jared Polis. At press time Polis has raised $8 million, with $3 million of that in the bank. Ganahl, meanwhile, raised a fourth of that — $2 million. As noted above, she had $188,000 on hand a little more than a month from Election Day.
On his website, Polis highlights his focus on these issues: bringing down the high cost of living, protecting the environment, supporting law enforcement and limiting access to guns. In addition he vows to continue to push for all-day kindergarten in Colorado and protect a woman’s right to choose and ensure access to abortion.
On her website, Ganahl highlights support for bail reform to prevent the release of repeat offenders, reducing the cost of living, cutting the size of state government and incentivizing affordable housing development. She also highlights the need to address the mental health and teen suicide crises, and opposes reproductive choice except in instances of rape, incest and the health and life of the mother and child. She promotes affordable housing and the preservation of water rights for farmers and ranchers. Ganahl has not taken a position on election integrity, but her lieutenant governor running mate, Danny Moore, is a known election denier.
Secretary of State: Griswold vs. Anderson
Ironically, the race for secretary of state has drawn the most attention locally and nationally, and the most outside money in an effort to remove Democratic incumbent Secretary Jena Griswold.
Griswold’s opponent, Pam Anderson, is a former Jefferson County county clerk. Anderson is better known for not being Tina Peters, the disgraced and indicted former Mesa County clerk and vocal election denier and activist. Anderson beat Peters in the Republican primary for this race, but her finances show she is severely underfunded. At press time Anderson has raised $199,000, with only $33,000 on hand — compared to Griswold’s $4 million raised with $1 million on hand.
On the campaign, Anderson has asserted that Griswold has been too political while serving as secretary of state for the past four years. If she ousts the incumbent, Anderson says she plans to create a code of conduct for the office, rebuild the organization and management of the office, encourage more citizen initiatives to be placed on the ballot by providing education and instruction to interested persons, and support full funding for elections.
For her part, if reelected, Griswold pledges to protect and improve voter access to the ballot with safe and secure elections, continue to cut red tape for businesses that rely on her office and slash fees, and fight the influence of dark money (donations that do not require reporting or disclosure) in elections.
The last campaign pledge is no surprise given the amount of outside and dark money committed to removing Griswold from office.
Colorado Treasurer: Young vs. Sias
The race for Colorado treasurer generally gets little attention but is especially important. This is the office that is the primary custodian of state funds, runs the Great Colorado Payback for unclaimed funds and manages most of the state’s borrowings and bond financings.
Former Republican state legislator Lang Sias is challenging Democratic incumbent Dave Young. Here, the money is a little closer: At press time Sias has raised $145,000, with $90,000 on hand. Young has raised $514,000 in campaign cash, with $72,000 on hand.
Sias pledges to protect taxpayers by fighting inflation and reducing state spending, safely invest state funds, fight to protect public employees’ pensions as a member of the PERA board, and support small business and advocate for school choice.
Young vows to prioritize providing credible financial literacy and education for Coloradans as a path to economic justice, continue the interest-free K-12 loan program for school districts that are financially challenged, continue to promote the Colorado Secure Savings program he helped create for private sector Coloradans whose employers do not have retirement plans, and promote investing Colorado public dollars in state with increased transparency for taxpayers.
Attorney General: Weiser vs. Kellner
The money disparity continues in the race for Colorado Attorney General. At press time Democratic incumbent Phil Weiser reports $4 million raised, with $721,000 on hand. His Republican opponent, John Kellner, reports $209,000 raised, with $91,000 on hand.
Weiser is promoting building on his accomplishments of protecting election integrity, highlighting he successfully argued a presidential electors case before the U.S. Supreme Court. He also highlights defending the Affordable Care Act’s Colorado Medicaid expansion, supporting DREAMers, pursuing consumer fraud cases, combatting the opioid epidemic, defending the “red flag” law, enforcing auto emissions, challenging the rollback of the methane rule, and working with surrounding states to address water issues.
Kellner is emphasizing fighting crime, addressing the fentanyl crisis, better funding and training for police departments, and pursuing scammers and fraudsters.
U.S. Senate: Bennet vs. O’Dea
Finally, in the U.S. Senate race, Democratic incumbent Michael Bennet is looking to add six more years to his 13 years in office. He is challenged by Republican businessman Joe O’Dea. National outside money plays a far more prominent role in the congressional races and that is bad news for O’Dea. Needing to distance himself from the former president, election deniers and his own prior positions compounds the problem.
National Republican fundraising is significantly down, plagued by allegations of mismanagement and fraud and has pulled $1 million for TV ads in Colorado to support O’Dea. Although national Democratic fundraising is also down, it has not sunk to the depths of the Republican efforts.
On platforms, O’Dea says he is running to reduce inflation, cut wasteful spending and the debt, get America refocused on energy independence, and to keep America safe and secure by supporting the police at home and by supporting a strong military and “peace through strength” abroad.
Bennet is running on his record including: making the Child Tax Credit permanent, expanding skills training and apprenticeships and making college affordable, lowering health care and housing costs, rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure and ensuring that the wealthy and corporations pay their fair share of taxes. He also supports making a woman’s right to choose national law, expanding the Affordable Care Act and continuing to tackle climate change.
Do yourself a favor
Visit the candidates’ website links and bone up on their big issues — links are below. Make sure to tune in to your trusted Denver and Colorado media sites over the coming weeks. Pay attention to the races as they unfold. There is far more than I can report here and likely some nuances you care deeply about.
And do not underestimate the power of sending a campaign a question regarding an issue of concern to you. Do not be surprised when they answer you. They are vying for your vote.
Have a great fall.
Penfield W. Tate III is an attorney in Denver. He represented Park Hill in the Colorado House of Representatives from 1997 to 2000, and in the State Senate from 2001 to February 2003. He lives in Park Hill.
Candidate Websites
Check Them Out For Official Positions On Everything From Oil To Water
U.S. Senate
Michael Bennet (Democrat)
michaelbennet.com/priorities/
Joe O’Dea (Republican)
joeodea.com/meet-joe
Colorado Governor
Jared Polis (Democrat)
polisforcolorado.com/issues
Heidi Ganahl (Republican)
heidiforgovernor.com/priorities
Colorado Secretary of State
Jena Griswold (Democrat)
jenaforcolorado.com/
Pam Anderson (Republican)
andersonforsos.com/initiatives
Colorado Attorney General
Phil Weiser (Democrat)
philforcolorado.com/priorities
Jon Kellner (Republican)
johnkellner.com/issues/
Colorado Treasurer
Dave Young (Democrat)
daveyoungforcolorado.com/issues
Lang Sias (Republican)
siasforcolorado.com/priorities/