Democrats locked in a tight three-way race for the 7th Congressional District nomination clashed Tuesday over which one had the Democratic bona fides to fight the Republican Party.
Ed Perlmutter, a former state senator, continued to argue that opponent Peggy Lamm is a fickle Democrat because she supported Republican candidates in the past.
He charged that Lamm, a former state representative, supported Bill Owens during his 2002 re-election campaign, and added that she had written campaign checks for at least three Republican candidates.
“This is about changing things, and if Republicans are in office, we’re not going to change the way things are run,” Perlmutter said during the taping of a debate that will be broadcast Friday at 9 p.m. on KBDI-Channel 12.
Campaign finance records confirm Lamm contributed $100 to the following Republican campaigns: former Secretary of State Donetta Davidson in 2002, the state House race of Russell George in 1998 and Steve Bosley’s bid to become a University of Colorado regent in 2004.
In a later interview, she said she had supported numerous Democrats and would “stack her Democratic credentials against anyone.”
Last week she denied giving Owens permission to use her name on his 2002 campaign literature. But a weekly publication, The Colorado Statesman, quoted her in 2002 as supporting Owens and saying of the Democratic candidate: “Rollie Heath is wonderful, but he doesn’t have much of a shot.”
Sean Tonner, Owens’ 2002 campaign manager, has said Lamm gave permission for Owens to use her name as a supporter.
During the debate, Lamm said polls show she is the Democratic candidate most likely to beat the lone GOP candidate, Rick O’Donnell.
“Special interests have long held sway in this country, and what we need is someone who will stand up to these people and stand up for the typical working people,” Lamm said.
The third candidate in the primary, Herb Rubenstein, shied away from personal attacks and emphasized his plans on such issues as immigration and ending the war in Iraq.
Staff writer Christopher N. Osher can be reached at 303-820-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com.
