CU Denver School of Public Affairs | Photo via Instagram On
September 6th, the CU Denver School of Public Affairs hosted a panel
of Colorado political experts to discuss
Election 2024: Colorado and the Country at a Crossroads. More than 80
participants (in person and online) joined brief presentations from the panel
and an hour of moderator and audience questions.
The panel, moderated by Pollster and Senior Fellow Floyd Ciruli,
reflected on the extraordinary political year after President Biden’s weak
debate performance on June 27th and his withdrawal from the race on Sunday,
July 21st. The panelists, including a political reporter and representatives
from both Democratic and Republican political parties, opined that Kamala
Harris might not have been the strongest Democratic replacement candidate but
she nevertheless had an extraordinary ascension to the nomination. Harris and
Donald Trump are now in a toss-up race.
Only one of Colorado’s three open Republican congressional seats, the 3rd
congressional district on the Western Slope, is still considered worth
watching. The newest Democratic seat, encompassing Adams and Weld County
(8th), is considered a tossup.
Many of the 14 statewide ballot issues could have considerable political
consequences related to criminal justice (sentencing, bail, funding) school
choice and wildlife management. Possibly the most significant initiative will
introduce an all candidate, open primary and ranked choice voting – its
ramifications representing a dramatic election change for Colorado.
Check out the
CU Denver School of Public Affairs website for more
information on future panels
here.
Sheila MacDonald, media commentator, Democratic political consultant,
manager of candidate and ballot issue campaign manager
Dick Wadhams, media commentator, Channel 4 analyst, consultant, former
Republican chair
Marianne Goodland, chief legislative reporter, Colorado Politico,
president of the Denver Press Club
Floyd Ciruli, panel moderator,
Senior Fellow, CU Denver School of Public Affairs
READ:
Election 2024: Colorado and Country at a Crossroads 09/04/2024