The field of Republicans running to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ken Buck in Colorado's 4th Congressional District grew on Thursday, as former state Sens. Jerry Sonnenberg and Ted Harvey threw their hats in an already crowded ring.
The announcements bring to six the number of declared GOP candidates for the heavily Republican seat, which covers Douglas County and the state's Eastern Plains, including portions of Larimer and Weld counties.
“Rural Coloradans and hardworking families all across the district need a voice in Washington who understands our community, our principled conservative values, our way of life, and our unique challenges," said Sonnenberg, a farmer and rancher from Sterling who won election last year as a Logan County commissioner after serving 16 years in the legislature, in a statement.
Harvey sounded a more confrontational note in his announcement.
“With the devastating moral and economic decay from government all around us and no credible, proven, or experienced conservative fighter willing to run for this critical seat, I’m running to make sure 'We the People' have a leader who will fight for us and stop the corrupted establishment insiders in both parties who are hell bent on destroying our Republic," said the former longtime legislator and veteran political operative from Highlands Ranch.
Sonnenberg made his long-anticipated candidacy official early Thursday on Fox News, while Harvey unveiled his run late Wednesday at a meeting of the Parker Conservatives in the Douglas County suburb.
Both attacked President Joe Biden and Democratic policies, though Harvey also trained fire on what he called "too many say-anything Republican politicians."
Said Sonnenberg: “The challenges facing our state and country are immense. Joe Biden’s failures as president have created an unprecedented border crisis, rampant inflation, and global instability. Farmers and ranchers across America feel especially burdened by an administration that seems intent on destroying our way of life."
After declaring that he intends to protect "the God-given rights of every person as guaranteed in our US Constitution," Harvey said, “Our problem is that Biden and the House Democrats are out-of-control in their delusional twisting of those God-given rights while gaslighting our constitutional guarantees to force their extremism on the rest of us. No more!”
Harvey went on to accuse some of his fellow Republicans of shirking the fight on the "battlefield for conservative values to take our government back."
"Like Trump, I have the battle scars and a proven conservative record so that voters will never question if I will keep fighting for our conservative, limited-government values against the corruption in both parties," said Harvey.
Sonnenberg said last month that he was considering a bid for the seat after Buck announced he wouldn't seek a sixth term, but Harvey's name hadn't surfaced among a slew of potential contenders.
They joined state Rep. Richard Holtorf, R-Akron, former talk radio host and nonprofit head Deborah Flora, Weld County Council member Trent Leisy and first-time candidate Justin Schrieber in a primary that could grow to double digits by the time voters weigh in next year.
Others pondering a run for the seat include House Minority Leader Mike Lynch, R-Wellington; former Fort Collins City Councilman Gino Campana; former state Sen. Rob Woodward, R-Loveland; Douglas County Commissioner Lora Thomas; former GOP congressional nominee Peter Yu; and, former U.S. Senate hopeful Floyd Trujillo.
Next year's primary is on June 25.
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib greeted the two announcements in statements to Colorado Politics.
“The worst thing I can do to hurt Commissioner Sonnenberg’s chances is to let everyone know that he’s a friend of mine," said Murib, who operates a cattle ranch in Eagle County. "I’ve appreciated his help when we run into cattle problems and need advice. He’d be a rubber stamp for a far-right agenda that hurts Colorado.”
Murib took a shot at Harvey's political longevity and record at the ballot box.
“Ted Harvey is a lifelong politician, and I can’t think of anything the good people of Eastern Colorado need less than another lifelong politician looking for a reason to buy a condo in DC," he said. "We look forward to Ted losing yet another campaign.”
Sonnenberg, who was recently inducted into the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame, served four terms in the state House starting in 2007, followed by two terms in the state Senate before facing term limits last year.
Harvey's political career spans decades, beginning with a two-year stint as a House reading clerk in the 1990s. After that, he worked at the Independence Institute and then as district office manager for U.S. Rep. Joel Hefley, a Colorado Springs Republican. Harvey was appointed in 2001 to fill a vacant state House seat in Douglas County and won reelection twice before moving up to the state Senate, where he served eight years before being termed out in 2015.
Since leaving office, Harvey has run multiple national political action committees, including ones aimed at defeating Hillary Clinton, supporting President Donald Trump and opposing Biden's reelection.
He made an unsuccessful run for the U.S. House in 2008 but finished third in the Republican primary, behind Mike Coffman, who went on to win the open seat, and business owner Wil Armstrong. Harvey also ran for state GOP chairman in 2011 but lost in a crowded race to Ryan Call.
Democrats Isaac McCorkle, John Padora and Karen Breslin are also running in the 4th CD, which has only been represented by a Democrat once, for a single term, in the last 50 years.
"crowded" - Google News
December 08, 2023 at 06:15AM
https://ift.tt/v2lSOmV
Two former longtime legislators join crowded GOP primary in Colorado's 4th Congressional District - coloradopolitics.com
"crowded" - Google News
https://ift.tt/pQ4bmhr
https://ift.tt/oxMAvBf
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Two former longtime legislators join crowded GOP primary in Colorado's 4th Congressional District - coloradopolitics.com"
Post a Comment