Tuesday, February 25, 2014

2014 Campaign Season Begins

Colorado’s complex nominating process will begin on March 4 when political activists go to their caucuses. All level of partisan political offices, from local county and legislative positions to the major statewide races, will start selection of party nominees.

The process will end with conventions held in April, the most important will be the Republican state convention (April 12), which will designate candidates for the June 24 primary. Just to make the process a bit more confusing for the average voter, a petition process is also allowed, and many candidates will try to get on the local and statewide primary ballot by petition.

The Republican Party has a crowded field for both governor and U.S. Senate anxious to take on Colorado’s Democratic incumbents in what appears to be a better year than 2012 when President Obama and his coattails helped sweep Democrats into control of the state legislature.

There is a wide open race for governor in the Republican Party, but with a couple of frontrunners who are trying to avoid debates – former Congressman Tom Tancredo and Secretary of State Scott Gessler. Given that the party wants and will need a strong candidate to go against incumbent Governor John Hickenlooper, one who can attract and not repel independents and party moderates, it’s not clear avoiding debate is the best strategy.

See:
9News: GOP hopefuls face challenges in Gov’s race
Denver Post: Republicans debate guns, toll roads, pot in Colorado governor’s race

1 comment:

Dave Barnes said...

Both Ways Bob™ all the way into the trash heap of history in the general election.