Three closely watched races in Jefferson County could hold the key to control of the statehouse, especially with registered voters’ party affiliations more evenly split than ever.
“Jefferson County is on the list of highly competitive races,” along with a handful of races across the state, said political analyst Eric Sondermann, who added the races will attract big dollars between now and the election.
Democrats, who took control of the statehouse in 2004 for the first time in more than 40 years, have an 18-17 edge in the Senate and 35-30 lead in the House.
Despite the larger margin in the House, Sondermann said Republicans have better prospects of regaining control in that chamber since there are more races that are up for grabs.
House District 23, which includes Golden, and House District 29, which is northern Jefferson County, “are absolutely among the targeted races,” said GOP consultant Katy Atkinson.
House District 23 features a rematch between Gwyn Green, a former Golden city councilwoman and Democrat, and Republican Ramey Johnson.
The House District 29 seat is being pursued by incumbent Debbie Benefield, a Democrat, and political newcomer Affie Ellis, a Republican.
In the Senate, Sondermann said, District 21 in Lakewood – pitting Democrat Betty Boyd and Republican Matt Knoedler – is a key race.
“It is hard to imagine a combination (of wins) that would give the Republicans the Senate without Matt Knoedler beating Betty Boyd,” Sondermann said.
Contributions are flowing to Boyd, who has raised $160,000 compared with Knoedler’s $54,000. Sondermann said candidate contributions are important “but don’t matter in this world of 527” political organizations.
Republican voter registrations used to hold sway in the county, but, Boyd said, “I’ve seen a change over a long period of time.”
Knoedler sees less organization behind the candidates, such as by special-interest groups like unions that are pushing their own issues, and more of political candidates being on their own.
Boyd seeks to keep Senate District 21, to which she was appointed in March when Deanna Hanna resigned in an ethics scandal.
Boyd and Knoedler were colleagues in the House, with Boyd’s final term overlapping with Knoedler’s first term in 2004 and 2005.
“A lot of people care about health care and education,” said Boyd, 63, who said she wants to ensure access to both.
Early-childhood education should be expanded and ideas are needed to keep kids in school through programs for non-college-bound students, Boyd said.
Knoedler, 31, who worked for U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo and former Rep. Dan Schaefer as well as serving as senior policy adviser to Gov. Bill Owens, said he wants to be sure illegal- immigration reforms passed this year are enforced. And he has proposed setting up a task force that would help different layers of government work together on the issue.
Knoedler also would like to help parents get more involved in school activities and find ways to make neighborhoods and schools safe.
In the House, Johnson wants to recapture the District 23 seat that Green wrestled from her by just 48 votes in 2004.
Green has raised more than $58,000 this year for the campaign compared with Johnson’s $39,000, although Green said 527 organizations “have poured a tremendous amount” into the race.
Johnson said she is hearing concern about illegal immigration. Other issues include West Sixth Avenue noise, light rail, broadcast towers on Lookout Mountain and the proposed completion of the 470 beltway.
Some “unfinished business” that Johnson, 59, a registered nurse, wants to complete is reducing health care costs by allowing people to tailor coverage and improving senior programs.
Green, 67, wants to gain “true reform” in health care and to require insurance companies to get approval before raising rates.
She also supports independent oversight of toll roads, which she said “aren’t a panacea … but may be a good solution” in certain situations.
In House District 29, Benefield has raised $59,000 this year, outpacing Ellis’ $40,000.
Benefield, 54, a former financial director for a nonprofit foundation, wants to fill gaps and clean up laws, saying, “Let’s fix what we have on the books.”
Health care reform is seen as a critical issue. Benefield, a former Jefferson County PTA president, also supports better access to education choices.
Ellis, 28, a law student at the University of Colorado, worked for U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., and the U.S. Department of the Interior.
“People should expect accountability in government,” said Ellis, who is interested in creating an ethics committee to review complaints.
Ellis’ other issues are supporting education and preventing use of tax dollars for nonemergency services to illegal immigrants.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
House District 23
Name: Gwyn Green
Party affiliation: Democrat
Age: 67
Last degree earned: Master’s of social work
Occupation: Medical social worker
Family: Husband Dan; children Laura, Kevin (spouse Barbara), Mark, Ben (spouse Julie); nine grandchildren
Name: Ramey Johnson
Party affiliation: Republican
Age: 59
Last degree earned: Master’s in community health nursing
Occupation: Registered nurse
Family: Husband Walt; daughters Gretchen and Aniela; son Roger
House District 29
Name: Debbie Benefield
Party affiliation: Democrat
Age: 54
Last degree earned: Completed the requirements and testing for state licensure as a broker and agent in property and casualty insurance
Occupation: State representative, HD 29 (Arvada/Westminster). Previously, financial manager for the Jefferson Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, and 14 years in the insurance industry
Family: Married to Scott for 28 years; sons Bryan, age 25, teacher, and Tim, age 23, student at Metropolitan State College of Denver
Name: Affie Ellis
Affiliation: Republican
Age: 28
Last degree earned: Bachelor of arts in political science and American Indian studies (2000), University of Wyoming; candidate for law degree (63 of 89 hours completed), University of Colorado School of Law
Occupation: Senior policy adviser, U.S. Senate; director of public affairs, U.S. Department of Interior (NIGC); aide, Gov. Bill Owens’ Office of Legal Counsel
Family: Husband Dennis
Senate District 21
Name: Betty Boyd
Party affiliation: Democrat
Age: 63
Last degree earned: Bachelor of arts in sociology; some graduate work
Occupation: Full-time legislator; former nonprofit manager and advocate
Family: Husband Doug; two adult children, Jim and Kirsten
Name: Matt Knoedler
Party affiliation: Republican
Age: 31
Last degree earned: Bachelor of arts in political science
Occupation: State representative, policy adviser, Realtor
Family: wife Ariahn; daughter Ciara Dorothy; dog Claire
