Elections loom large in '22. There's never been a better time for a divided government
July '22 Bulletin
Elections loom large in '22
There's never been a better time for divided government
by Brent Wood
CADA 2022 Chair
After a fairly contentious primary, we’re getting a better idea of how the November election is shaping up. A more balanced Colorado General Assembly, and perhaps even more important, one better able to work with us to find the proverbial “win-win” solutions to problems inhibiting a prosperous economy would be desirable.
That means a state legislature split between the parties. Of course, it might also be to our advantage to have the Governorship going to a Republican. But at least balancing the two houses of the Colorado State Legislature should mean more dialog and more compromise.
GOP moderates favored
An interesting dynamic in the June 28th primary was more moderate Republican candidates won, while on the Democratic side, the more progressive candidates were victorious. For example, the ultraconservative Rocky Mountain Gun Owners endorsed 11 candidates in Republican primaries. They all lost.
The more moderate Colorado State Shooting Association (NRA affiliated) backed nine candidates. They all won. And the Colorado Chamber of Commerce endorsed six Republican candidates, and five of its favored candidates won.
Does this mean the voting public is more interested in more moderate candidates? It seems possible voters are simply tired of ultrapartisanship, at least on the Republican side.
Political pundits note the big primary winners were unaffiliated voters, who make up the largest voting group in Colorado: 1.7 million of 3.8 million active voters. State law specifies unaffiliated voters may vote in either party primary.
In this primary, unaffiliated voters slightly favored Republican candidates. Turnout was very low; only 28.5 percent of registered voters participated.
Opportunity knocks in five races
The biggest opportunity to bring balance is in the Colorado State Senate, where Democrats hold a three seat majority. If those seats flip and GOP senators win re-election, Republicans will gain the Senate — and give us a split government.
Five State Senate races could be pivotal, according to the nonpartisan legislative redistricting staff:
• Senate District 3 (Pueblo County), where Sen. Nick Hinrichsen (D) is running against Pueblo Planning Commissioner Stephen Varela.
• Senate District 8 (Summit, Routt, Grand, Moffat, Clear Creek, Rio Blanco, Gilpin, Jackson and parts of Eagle and Garfield counties), where Eagle Town Councilor Matt Solomon (R) is running against State Rep. Dylan Roberts (D-Avon).
• Senate District 11 (S.E. Colorado Springs, Cimarron Hills, some unincorporated El Paso County), where incumbent Sen. Dennis Hisey (R) faces Rep. Tony Exum (D), both from Colorado Springs.
• Senate District 15 (Parts of Boulder-Larimer Counties), where incumbent Sen. Rob Woodward (R-Loveland) is running against Lyons Mayor Pro Tem Janice Marchman (D).
• Senate District 27 (Parts of Aurora, Centennial, unincorporated Arapco), where GOP business consultant Tom Kim faces State Rep. Tom Sullivan (D).
Balance is better for business
It remains to be seen whether balance can be restored in Colorado, although House GOP leader Hugh McKean (R-Loveland) was recently quoted in Colorado Politics as saying, “People have forgotten about balance in government, and what they’re wanting is the end to the most divisive rhetoric and the political games….It was a cry for help from families — we’re tired of the partisan bickering, we want to hear ideas and how you will fight for us.”
We’d add: a cry for help from families and businesses.
CADA will be working on several critical State Senate elections, raising money and hosting events.
It’s very important for all of us as CADA members to participate when asked, especially in some upcoming Legislative Grassroots Meetings, where you can meet candidates and solidify your own support.
After a fairly contentious primary, we’re getting a better idea of how the November election is shaping up. A more balanced Colorado General Assembly, and perhaps even more important, one better able to work with us to find the proverbial “win-win” solutions to problems inhibiting a prosperous economy would be desirable.
That means a state legislature split between the parties. Of course, it might also be to our advantage to have the Governorship going to a Republican. But at least balancing the two houses of the Colorado State Legislature should mean more dialog and more compromise.
GOP moderates favored
An interesting dynamic in the June 28th primary was more moderate Republican candidates won, while on the Democratic side, the more progressive candidates were victorious. For example, the ultraconservative Rocky Mountain Gun Owners endorsed 11 candidates in Republican primaries. They all lost.
The more moderate Colorado State Shooting Association (NRA affiliated) backed nine candidates. They all won. And the Colorado Chamber of Commerce endorsed six Republican candidates, and five of its favored candidates won.
Does this mean the voting public is more interested in more moderate candidates? It seems possible voters are simply tired of ultrapartisanship, at least on the Republican side.
Political pundits note the big primary winners were unaffiliated voters, who make up the largest voting group in Colorado: 1.7 million of 3.8 million active voters. State law specifies unaffiliated voters may vote in either party primary.
In this primary, unaffiliated voters slightly favored Republican candidates. Turnout was very low; only 28.5 percent of registered voters participated.
Opportunity knocks in five races
The biggest opportunity to bring balance is in the Colorado State Senate, where Democrats hold a three seat majority. If those seats flip and GOP senators win re-election, Republicans will gain the Senate — and give us a split government.
Five State Senate races could be pivotal, according to the nonpartisan legislative redistricting staff:
- Senate District 3 (Pueblo County), where Sen. Nick Hinrichsen (D) is running against Pueblo Planning Commissioner Stephen Varela.
- Senate District 8 (Summit, Routt, Grand, Moffat, Clear Creek, Rio Blanco, Gilpin, Jackson and parts of Eagle and Garfield counties), where Eagle Town Councilor Matt Solomon (R) is running against State Rep. Dylan Roberts (D-Avon).
- Senate District 11 (S.E. Colorado Springs, Cimarron Hills, some unincorporated El Paso County), where incumbent Sen. Dennis Hisey (R) faces Rep. Tony Exum (D), both from Colorado Springs.
- Senate District 15 (Parts of Boulder-Larimer Counties), where incumbent Sen. Rob Woodward (R-Loveland) is running against Lyons Mayor Pro Tem Janice Marchman (D).
- Senate District 27 (Parts of Aurora, Centennial, unincorporated Arapco), where GOP business consultant Tom Kim faces State Rep. Tom Sullivan (D).
Balance is better for business
It remains to be seen whether balance can be restored in Colorado, although House GOP leader Hugh McKean (R-Loveland) was recently quoted in Colorado Politics as saying, “People have forgotten about balance in government, and what they’re wanting is the end to the most divisive rhetoric and the political games….It was a cry for help from families — we’re tired of the partisan bickering, we want to hear ideas and how you will fight for us.”
We’d add: a cry for help from families and businesses.
CADA will be working on several critical State Senate elections, raising money and hosting events.
It’s very important for all of us as CADA members to participate when asked, especially in some upcoming Legislative Grassroots Meetings, where you can meet candidates and solidify your own support.