In a year dominated by high-profile attack ads, the contest for state treasurer between Democrat Cary Kennedy and Republican Mark Hillman has been both civil and low-key. But voters shouldn’t overlook this race, because the post of Colorado’s chief financial manager is vital for the state’s future.
One reason this race has achieved relatively little attention is that both candidates have voluntarily chosen to abide by a $500,000 limit on campaign spending – a relatively modest sum in a time of multimillion-dollar mud-slinging. Additionally, both contenders have chosen the high road by focusing on their positive visions of Colorado’s future – and the financial foundations necessary to make that future happen. In contrasting the records of these two able candidates, The Post believes Kennedy has both the qualifications and common sense to serve as the state’s chief fiscal steward.
Her achievements in helping craft Colorado fiscal policy have been instrumental in stabilizing state finances.
Kennedy has a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University and a law degree from the University of Denver. She worked as a budget specialist for Gov. Roy Romer before helping craft the school-financing Amendment 23. Most recently she was policy director for House Speaker Andrew Romanoff – a role in which she helped write the vital Referendum C on the 2005 ballot.
Hillman, a wheat farmer from Burlington, served ably in the state Senate before being named acting treasurer while Mike Coffman was serving in Iraq. He filled in credibly in Coffman’s absence, but even as treasurer he took the wrong view on Referendum C – a vital reform that was backed by Gov. Bill Owens, state business leaders and other top Republicans. If Hillman had prevailed on C, Colorado would have been forced to make drastic cuts in education, transportation and other key programs. As acting treasurer, he stood transfixed like a deer in the headlights as this fiscal disaster raced toward Colorado. Kennedy, in contrast, worked tirelessly to craft a disciplined approach to fiscal stability and to explain its virtues in the public arena. For that reason, she earns our endorsement as treasurer.
Kennedy has learned from the state’s brush with disaster. She believes Amendment 23 should have had more flexibility in downturns like the 2003-05 recession. But she has learned from that experience and promises – as does Hillman – to work for stronger reserve funds to help carry Colorado through the inevitable future downturns. We applaud this determination.
Kennedy’s record and her commitment to fiscal discipline make her the better of two fine candidates for this job.
