A former deputy to Republican Marc Holtzman has formed an independent political committee that is actively fundraising to help elect him governor.
Terry Huffine, who now lives in London, set up Citizens for Responsible Government LLC last year. The so-called 527 committee, which is just one of many expected to infuse huge amounts of money into this year’s elections, can raise unlimited U.S. and foreign money.
Donors and total contribution amounts are unknown as the group does not have to file reports with the Internal Revenue Service until it receives $25,000.
Huffine, who was deputy director to Holtzman when he was the state’s secretary of technology, said his former boss is more in touch with voters than his opponents.
“He would be a great leader for the party and the state,” he said. “Marc and I firmly believe groups like these are healthy … and provide an opportunity for citizens to raise issues and be part of the discussion.”
Holtzman, through spokesman Jesse Mallory, said he did not know anything about the group and that “no one had heard of it.”
Independent political committees cannot associate with a candidate’s campaign or expressly advocate for the election or defeat of candidates. However, they can do almost anything else, including directly criticize candidates.
Two weeks ago, a group called Coloradans for Freedom and Opportunity ran ads criticizing Holtzman for testimony he gave at a hearing that contradicted what he said in his deposition and for not disclosing his tax forms. The group supports Bob Beauprez, who is running against Holtzman for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.
The executive director of Citizens is Shelley S. Hymes, who was head of the Office of the 21st Century Workforce in the Bush administration and served as special assistant to former vice-presidential candidate Jack Kemp when he was secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The group is also represented by Doyle Zakhem Suhre & Lilly LLC, which represented Holtzman when he accused Beauprez’s campaign of stealing his e-mail list last fall. However, the firm, which counsels the state Republican Party and the political committee Trailhead Group, is no longer representing Holtzman.
Staff writer Karen E. Crummy can be reached at 303-820-1594 or kcrummy@denverpost.com.
