With control of the statehouse at stake in November, candidates have been gearing up for one of the nastiest and costliest campaign seasons
ever.
“We’re going to set new records in terms of negative advertising
and new records in terms of shaving the truth in advertising,”
said John Straayer, a Colorado State University political science
professor.
Indeed, candidates are complaining about dishonest attack ads and
big-money special-interest groups that could pour $1 million into
some of the most competitive statehouse races.
Democratic House Majority Leader Alice Madden estimated more than
$6 million could be spent on the struggle for control of the House
of Representatives alone.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous. I’d rather pour that money into
paying for poor people’s prescription drugs,” she said. “But I
can believe that and be in the minority too.”
Statewide, the Republicans need to hold all their statehouse seats
plus pick up one Senate and three House seats in order to take back
the legislature.
Democrats surprised Republicans when they took control of both
houses in 2004 for the first time in more than 40 years.
The victories were attributed in part to four wealthy Democrats –
Tim Gill, Jared Polis, Rutt Bridges and Pat Stryker – who funneled
money into independent groups that targeted battleground
legislative races.
Republicans this campaign have taken a page from the Democratic
playbook, gathering their own power brokers to set up their own
independent political group, Trailhead.
Wealthy Democratic supporters are also back, funding several
groups, including one called Clear Peak Colorado.
The groups are so-called 527s, named after the applicable section
of the tax code, and are able to raise an unlimited amount of
contributions.
