Marc Holtzman’s beleaguered campaign for governor got yet another reprieve Friday during a court hearing filled with new plot twists in Colorado’s favorite political soap opera.
Holtzman’s name will appear on August primary ballots – but whether any votes cast for him will actually count won’t be determined for days.
Denver District Judge R. Michael Mullins’ ruling to let county clerks begin preparing ballots with Holtzman’s name on them – even though the secretary of state ruled he didn’t turn in enough valid petition signatures – was prudent. Not only will it save taxpayers a lot of money if a court later rules that Holtzman should be on the ballot, it’s also important that courts favor ballot access.
Friday was crucial because it was the deadline for certifying the primary election ballot.
Mullins said he knew his decision carries some political implications, and it does. Congressman Bob Beauprez, currently the only certified GOP candidate for governor, will have to spend more time and money fighting an opponent whose votes might not count.
A Beauprez lawyer argued Friday that a person shouldn’t be put on the ballot without meeting the qualifications. But the judge said Holtzman needs a “remedy” should it be determined that he did collect enough valid signatures to get on the ballot. “The Supreme Court has said access is an important right,” Mullins said. “[You] have to be careful how you limit it.”
Holtzman’s bid for the ballot has played out like an improbable screenplay, and Friday’s hearing only added to the drama. A lawyer for the state GOP even rushed in midway through the proceedings and tried to file a motion on the party’s behalf.
Holtzman from the beginning has been cast as a renegade, won’t-take-no-for-an-answer politician who was first batted around by Gov. Bill Owens, a close friend turned foe, then spurned by the GOP faithful at the state assembly. Then, his last-ditch petition drive was stopped by Secretary of State Gigi Dennis, rumored to be a possible running mate for Beauprez.
Toss into that mix a high-powered lawyer, Mark Grueskin, who usually serves as a Democratic hired gun, now battling for the conservative GOP candidate. Need more? Mike Norton, husband of the current lieutenant governor and a former U.S. attorney, filed suit, asking a judge to affirm the original finding that Holtzman didn’t file enough valid signatures.
Oh, wait: The Denver Post did its own review of the petition signatures and found some that should have been declared valid were actually tossed out.
All of that has added up to some high melodrama – and it’s only early June.
Holtzman’s last hope seems to hinge on the ability to find the valid signatures he needs among 4,239 that were rejected because the signers didn’t list either their party affiliation or their congressional district.
He doesn’t have enough valid signatures in the 1st and 7th congressional districts – even if the valid signatures found by The Post are included. So Friday, he asked the court to forget that state rule, and that had the GOP crying foul.
Melodrama aside, his quest has raised some important questions that need to be addressed, some by the state legislature.
For now, it’s reasonable that his name appear on the ballot. If another review of signatures comes up short, his votes won’t be counted. Then, will it be over?
