DENVER—A political consultant has suggested that independent groups spend $5 million to elect a Colorado Democrat to the U.S. Senate, in part for a “foot-on-throat” ad campaign against a GOP candidate, the Rocky Mountain News reported Tuesday.
The newspaper said it obtained a Jan. 23 memo prepared by consultant Dominic DelPapa suggesting that independent groups could spend nearly $12 million combined to help Democrats in the presidential, U.S. Senate and 4th Congressional District races this year.
The proposal includes $1.9 million for advertising in March and April targeting former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer, considered the likely Republican candidate for the Senate. “Define Schaffer/Foot on Throat,” the memo says.
Schaffer’s likely Democratic opponent is U.S. Rep. Mark Udall. Both are campaigning to replace Republican Wayne Allard, who is retiring.
DelPapa’s memo was sent to Al Yates, a former Colorado State University president and an adviser to Pat Stryker of Fort Collins, who has donated millions of dollars in the past to help Democratic candidates and causes.
DelPapa and Yates declined to discuss the memo.
The memo says the proposal is preliminary and represents “little more than our own thinking.” It suggests the money would be spent by independent “527” groups but doesn’t say where it would come from.
The memo proposes spending more than $2.6 million to help Democrat Betsy Markey try to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave in the 4th Congressional District.
Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dick Wadhams called the proposal “character assassination” and said Democrats should reveal their donors.
State Democratic Party spokesman Matt Sugar accused Wadhams of hypocrisy, saying Schaffer has served as a board member for various Republican 527s.
