Democrat Andrew Romanoff’s mom wants you to contribute money to his U.S. Senate campaign.
Actor Robert Redford is making the same pitch for Gov. Bill Ritter’s re-election bid.
And Senate candidate Jane Norton has asked supporters to “invest” in her campaign to help bring “Colorado conservative values back to the U.S. Senate.”
The slew of e-mail solicitations in the last few days signals the end of another fund-raising quarter. Today is the last day of the fourth and final quarter of the year, and candidates and their supporters are making appeals for donations.
Donors have until midnight to contribute, and candidates must make their donations and expenses public by Jan. 15.
Romanoff’s mother, Gayle Caplan, wrote in her fund-raising letter that her son has been so busy campaigning during the holidays they haven’t been able to spend much time together.
“I admire Andrew’s dedication to public service, but he still needs to eat,” she said. “That’s why I’m asking you to make a donation to Andrew’s campaign — and allow him to share a meal with his mother.”
In response, Romanoff, the former House speaker, wrote on his campaign Web site: “Hope you and your family have a wonderful (and less embarrassing) holiday!”
Romanoff faces U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in the Democratic primary. Former U.S. Sen. Gary Hart issued a fund-raising letter on Bennet’s behalf.
“We are living in an age of ideology and careerism; those who pander to extreme groups or who search for a vague center in order to stay in office for life,” Hart wrote. “… Bennet is neither. He is among the best of true public servants.”
On the Republican side of the Senate race, Norton, the former lieutenant governor, created a fund-raising video. Last quarter, she raised $509,779 in 16 days.
“The fourth quarter for everybody is typically a bit slower because of the holiday season, but things are going well,” Norton’s campaign spokeswoman, Cinamon Watson, said Wednesday. “Our fund-raising is going well and our support building is going well.”
Norton faces two GOP primary opponents, Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck and former state lawmaker Tom Wiens.
Meanwhile, Redford in his donor pitch called Ritter one of American’s “greenest governors.” The actor said Ritter faces a tough re-election bid “against folks who don’t understand that the new energy economy is our surest path to long-term growth and prosperity.”
Former Congressman Scott McInnis, Ritter’s likely Republican opponent, responded with his own blast e-mail attacking Redford’s positions on the environment.
McInnis accused Ritter of adopting the “radical leftist positions of Hollywood.”
His campaign also has an appeal for donations on his Web site: “Help Scott put Colorado back on track! We appreciate your support!”
Lynn Bartels: 303-954-5327 or lbartels@denverpost.com
