It’s not often that a legislative race features a campaign chairman with a higher profile than the candidate. In the District 5 Senate race, Democrat Gail Schwartz is challenging veteran Republican lawmaker Lew Entz. Schwartz is a member of the University of Colorado Board of Regents. Her chairman is former Gov. Roy Romer.
When he gets here.
Romer is superintendent of the Los Angeles School District until his retirement in September. That gives him a few weeks to light some fires before the November election in a district that spans 11 counties in the southern and western parts of Colorado.
Schwartz predicts Romer will be an asset to her campaign. “He understands rural values and education issues that I’m passionate about,” said Schwartz. “And he’s absolutely beloved.”
Schwartz has maintained a friendship with Romer since he appointed her to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education in 1995. When she decided to challenge Entz, she went looking for “a Democratic statesman” to help.
Will Romer steal her thunder? “He deserves the spotlight,” said Schwartz. The ex-governor will attend a gathering at Schwartz’ Pitkin County home later this month.
As for Entz, he’s asked Amber O’Connor – an “aggressive, experienced” campaign organizer – to head his re-election effort, and he’s not the least bit intimidated by a former governor. “Romer’s a figurehead. That’s all that is,” said Entz. “You want endorsements? (Former U.S. Rep.) Scott McInnis just endorsed me. And (Sen.) Ken Salazar said he won’t endorse me but he won’t endorse her either.” Let the duel begin.
Listen up, voters
Thirty days and counting before the Aug. 8 primary. Today is the last day to register to vote in that election, which will determine the candidates to appear on the Nov. 7 ballot. Voter registration forms are available via the secretary of state’s online voter information center at govotecolorado.com.
Republican switches parties
Former GOP Sen. Dave Wattenberg is so passionate about helping Ed Perlmutter win the three-way 7th Congressional District Democratic primary that he did the unthinkable: he registered as a Democrat. Wattenberg said he went to the Jefferson County election office two weeks ago and switched his affiliation just to help his old pal.
Wattenberg served in the state Senate with Perlmutter and said he believes in his “ability to do things.” Still, some in the GOP were stunned and Wattenberg said one wanted to know: “‘What the hell happened to you?”‘
Wattenberg served two years in the House and 16 in the Senate. He said he plans to switch back to Republican after the primary. “I can be a Republican for the general election and still vote for Ed,” he said.
Hall gets targeted
Speaking of the primaries, Republicans will battle in 13 primary races in August, while Democrats are competing in nine races. One of the thorniest GOP primaries is in Weld County’s Senate District 13, where conservatives put up candidate Scott Renfroe to challenge Rep. Dale Hall. Hall is a member of the Joint Budget Committee who has served two terms in the House. He’s running for the seat being vacated by Sen. Dave Owen.
Republicans don’t often target an incumbent. But insiders say GOP conservatives saw Hall as too moderate and sought Renfroe to take him on. Hall said he is being targeted because “I’m on the JBC and I voted for Referendum C.” Renfroe opposed C, as did 55 percent of Hall’s Weld County district. Most Coloradans voted in favor of C.
Voting machines arrive
All 64 counties have received their new electronic voting machines. Despite the concerns about security, the secretary of state’s spokeswoman, Dana Williams, says the machines have received federal and state certification. They will undergo their first real test in early primary voting.
Julia C. Martinez (jmartinez@denverpost.com) is a member of The Denver Post editorial board.
