Marble & Cook Advance to GOP Primary, Four Sheriff Candidates Stilll in Play

The Lamar Community College, Large Lecture Hall was filled to capacity for the Prowers County Republican Assembly on Sunday, March 16.  County GOP Chairwoman, Janet Marriot said 103 delegates had been allowed for the state convention following the Credential Committee report presented by Kathy Callison. 

Nine GOP state and national level speakers addressed the audience, including candidates for the 4^th U.S. Congressional District race, State House District 64, gubernatorial candidates and those seeking a U.S. Senate seat for Colorado.  Part of this process, held throughout the state, will select those candidates who will appear on the June 24 primary and will subsequently appear on the general election ballot in November. 

Five candidates for Prowers County Sheriff were on hand for Sunday’s assembly as well as the two for Prowers County Commissioner, representing District 2, currently held by Commissioner Joe Marble.  Earlier this year, County Sheriff Jim Faull said he would retire and would not seek re-election in the fall.  That left his position open for candidates from the sheriff’s office and Lamar Police Departments to submit their names for consideration for November. 

A candidate must receive 30% of the total vote from the Sunday assembly to be placed on the June primary ballot.  If a candidate receives less than 30%, but more than 10%, they have the option to solicit enough signatures to petition their name on to the primary ballot by the March 31 deadline.  If any candidate receives less than 10% of the delegate vote, they are not able to run for office. 

Janet Marriot provided the percentages needed for both the sheriff’s race and for county commissioner following the assembly.  Sam Zordel will be on the ballot with 33% of the vote and Ron Trowbridge, Shawn Stone and David Reid can petition to be on the ballot as they fell between the required 30%-10% level.  Trowbridge had 23.3%, Stone had 21.4% and Reid followed with 18.4%.  David Dougherty, Granada Police Chief, fell below the 10% level. 

Joe Marble, incumbent county commissioner, and Ron Cook, a Lamar business owner and a Lamar City Councilman, each had the required percentages to go on the primary ballot in June.  Cook garnered 61% of the vote and Marble had 39%.  Three candidates were unopposed and voted in by acclimation: Andy Wyatt for Assessor, Jana Coen for Clerk & Recorder and Lorraine Woolley for Treasurer.

The other candidates who were out on the campaign trail addressed the audience, asking for their future votes and support included Randy Bumgardner who is opposing Mark Udall in the U.S. Senate race.  Wayne Williams is running to become the next Colorado Secretary of State and stressed how he would support common sense voting registration rules.  Williams said, “This race is being targeted on the national level.”  Tim Dore, State House District 64 Representative stressed a more grass roots rule in Colorado, as opposed to state and federal oversight, a theme that was common among all candidates.  Ken Buck is seeking the U.S. Congressional seat currently held by Cory Gardner.  Gardner recently opted in favor of running for the U.S. Senate which will have him contesting with Bumgardner for political support from around the state.  Buck said, “We have been deceived by those in power,” referring not just to Democrats, he explained, but to those who put their own interests ahead of their constituents.  Buck added, “The time is over for complacency,” among the state’s voters. 

State Senator Greg Brophy positioned himself as one of the leading gubernatorial candidates, declaring that no other current candidate has the breadth and understanding of current legislative issues as he does.  He’s in opposition to common core, believing the federal government should butt out of education, leaving that to state and local control.   Weld County Commissioner, Barbara Kirkmeyer is also aiming for the 4^th Congressional seat being vacated by Gardner.  “I’m tailor made for this district,” she told the audience, stating that she is an advocate for property rights, reduced energy regulations and an end to deficit spending at the federal level.  Kirkmeyer said she’ll offer a strong conservative voice in congress and help put an end to unfunded federal mandates.  Scott Renfro, a state senator, has been in office for eight years and he too, is vying for the 4^th Congressional District seat.  Renfro said he’s a newcomer to the political campaign since Gardner’s switch.  He gave the audience his private cell phone number, asking for calls from voters who would voice their areas of concern about state interests.  Renfro said he will be a voice for the small businessman in the district.  Mike Kopp, a pastor and senate minority leader in the state legislature, campaigned for less federal and state government in citizen’s lives.  Kopp said he has a plan that will reduce state government budget costs by 10% and will have it in effect once he’s elected governor of Colorado.  He recapped his military background, stating he will defend the Second Amendment rights of citizens to defend themselves when attacked.  State Senator Larry Crowder, while not running for office, addressed the crowd, declaring that some of the finest people in the state are from southeast Colorado, and all of whom should turn out to cast their votes in November.

By Russ Baldwin