Prowers County Democrats Select Candidates at Saturday Assembly

L to R: Donald Seufer, Jillane Hixson, Chris Wilkinson, Doug Thrall

The Prowers County Democratic Party held their county assembly this past Saturday, March 31 at the Rodeway Cow Palace Inn, in Lamar. Donald Seufer, the democratic challenger for the District I County Commissioner seat held by incumbent republican Henry Schnabel, received 97% of the delegate votes. Suefer was the single democratic entry for that position. Jillane Hixson and Doug Thrall both made the cut off point for delegate votes. They are running for District III in the county commissioner contest. The seat will be left vacant by Gene Millbrand at the end of his term this year. Two republicans are vying for his position and will face off in a June primary election. Hixson received 80% of the democratic delegate votes and Thrall received 20%. Candidates receiving a minimum of 10% of the vote may petition to be on the ballot by presenting 200 qualified signatures to the Prowers County Clerk by April 2, 2012. Seufer and Hixson are officially qualified candidates. Thrall, if he decides, may be on the ballot as a write-in candidate in November.

Fourth U.S. Congressional Candidate Brandon Shaffer in Foreground

Five delegates were elected to the state and U.S. Colorado District Four conventions, set for April 14 in Pueblo. They are: Danny Minor, Doug Thrall, Jillane Hixson and Fred and Lillian Norman. Holly resident, Tony Garcia, was nominated to fill the vacant position of vice chair of the local county party. The delegates on Saturday heard from visiting candidates including Brandon Shaffer, who will oppose incumbent republican Cory Gardner for the U.S. District Congressional Four seat. Other speakers included Cristina Martinez and Armando Valdez, both seeking the newly formed State Senate District 35 seat. All candidates were given an opportunity to state their reasons for being elected to their respective positions. The assembly was moderated by Chris Wilkinson. Seufer and Hixson are now accepting donations for their respective campaigns. Suefer’s donation address is through Randolph Dunning, PO Box 178 in Granada, and Hixson at 7943 County Road DD in Lamar.

It was noted that U.S. Senator Mark Udall will visit Lamar on Saturday, April 14 for a Town Hall Meeting. The location and times have not yet been made available. Udall has also scheduled a visit to the PMC Veteran’s Clinic in Lamar.

By Russ Baldwin