One controversial incumbent District Attorney appears to be winning and another appears to be losing, according to early election returns.
Arapahoe County’s Carol Chambers, who represents the 18th Judicial District, is leading challenger George Brauchler with 57 percent of the vote.
And El Paso County’s John Newsome, who represents the 4th Judicial District, is losing to his challenger Dan May who has 60 percent of the vote.
Chambers has been a lightning rod for controversy since being elected to the position in 2004.
She threatned to bog down the court system after a judge admonished two of her prosecutors. And she is the only Colorado DA in recent history to have been publicly censured. She was disciplined over charges she used her office to help a fellow Republican politician.
Newsome, who was captured by Colorado Springs TV news cameras drinking eight beers before driving, also was being investigated for taking in a Notre Dame football game on the taxpayer’s dime.
May, who was Assistant District Attorney under former 4th Judicial DA Jeanne Smith, lost to Newsome in 2004.
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
