Major delays that prompted some delegates to walk out of the state GOP convention could have cost gubernatorial candidates Marc Holtzman and Bob Beauprez votes in their competition for the August primary ballot.
Voting did not end until early evening, and ballots had not yet been tallied as of early Saturday night.
The multilayered process of verifying voters’ identities was more complicated and tedious than in years past, leaving state party officials jammed in a voting bottleneck as they tried to credential delegates and in many cases, triple-check identification.
The new rules were requested by Holtzman, who for months has expressed concerns that Republican Party leaders might block his ability to get on the ballot.
In the three hours that passed between the end of the state assembly and the beginning of voting, more than 3,000 delegates stood in long lines waiting to get their ballots without being informed of the reasons behind the delays. Many swore under their breath, rubbed their tired feet and rolled their eyes.
“This is just poor organization. People should be commended for waiting so long,” said Tom Doxey, a delegate from Penrose. “Some people couldn’t wait. They have babysitters and other things to do.”
It was unclear how many delegates left the building.
Colorado Springs state Rep. Larry Liston, a Beauprez supporter, called it a “cold, calculated move by the Holtzman people” to drive away Beauprez supporters before they could vote.
“My heart really goes out to the delegates who spent three hours to come out and vote and finally had to go home,” he said.
Holtzman’s running mate, former state House Speaker Lola Spradley, denied any attempt by the campaign to thwart the process.
“I respectfully disagree. Our proposal was to have voting machines and not have to go through all this process, but those rules were changed to have ballot boxes on the floor, which is what the Beauprez people wanted,” Spradley said.
Still, a number of delegates left without voting, including a man whose son was returning from military service in Iraq.
“It’s been two and a half hours. I have to leave,” said the man, who did not give his name, as he was leaving the World Arena in Colorado Springs.
Others trailed out of the arena without voting and cursing about the mayhem.
Until the voting delays, there was little drama. Delegates easily nominated John Suthers for attorney general, Mark Hillman for treasurer and Mike Coffman for secretary of state.
Holtzman and Beauprez did not mention each other during their speeches.
Instead, they tried to out- conservative each other and unite against their common enemy: Democrats.
Beauprez, introduced by U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard and former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer, walked on stage to music, flashing lights and the “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble” voice-over often used at sporting events. He slammed big labor, tax-and-spend liberals, judicial activism and trial lawyers, and he vowed to protect “traditional marriage.”
“If it’s good enough for the Creator, we ought not to be messing with it now,” he said.
Holtzman was introduced by Spradley and former Aurora Mayor Paul Tauer. He played up connections to former President Reagan and stressed the importance of “Reagan principles,” the “culture of life” and the right to bear arms.
Holtzman tried to distinguish himself from Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill Ritter, recalling a debate in which Ritter said, “Holtzman, you’re not my opponent yet.”
“And I said, ‘Mr. Ritter, consider me an opponent of anyone who would raise taxes on working families in Colorado,”‘ Holtzman recalled to the crowd.
Both candidates also vowed to crack down on illegal immigration and cut taxes.
Before the speech, Holtzman said: “We’re working hard for every vote. We have modest expectations and high hopes,” adding that he already has enough petitions to get on the ballot if he failed to get 30 percent of the delegates’ support.
Beauprez had a group of surrogates called “the persuasion team” working undecided voters. State lawmakers were dispatched to talk to delegates in their districts, and other specialists swooped in to address issues.
State Rep. Lynn Hefley of Colorado Springs stood on the side of the arena with constituent Bev Ivy, making the case for Beauprez.
Ivy, who said she was undecided, said Hefley’s words went a long way because of her character. She said she also talked to Spradley. In the end, she said, she voted for Beauprez.
While Beauprez and Holtzman kept their speeches positive, the two candidates did take a couple of indirect shots.
Beauprez pointed to his four years of experience as a U.S. representative and said Colorado needs a governor “with a demonstrated ability to lead.”
Holtzman said: “Some were sent to the nation’s Capitol from Colorado to take Colorado values to Washington, D.C., and in return they have brought Washington, D.C., values to Colorado, and that’s the antithesis of what Lola Spradley and I stand for.”
Many delegates, like Gary Turley of Colorado Springs, decided weeks ago who they would support.
“I like Marc Holtzman because he’s honest, straightforward and not part of the elite in the party,” he said.
But others, like Ivy from Monument, ended up voting for Beauprez.
Gov. Bill Owens, who is leaving office in January because of term limits, said he was enjoying his final state assembly as governor.
“I’m not really nostalgic, I’m just enjoying what I’m doing,” Owens said.
He’s keeping his plans for the future close to the vest, but said he is looking at banking or consulting with some international work.
