Jim Edwards, the Logan County commissioner whose business with the county flourished during his first term, has decided not to seek a second term.
Edwards told the Sterling Journal-Advocate this week that business and personal reasons were the main factors in his decision not to seek re-election in November.
Conrad Bostron, the Republican Party chairman in Logan County, said Edwards called him a few days ago to say he needed to devote more time to his business, New Age Electronics.
“He thought that he needed to make that his No. 1 priority,” Bostron said. He praised Edwards, calling him “a fine commissioner, very level-headed, very fair.”
The Denver Post reported last November that New Age Electronics’ share of county office-supply and electronics purchases had jumped from 21 percent in the two years before Edwards’ election to 51 percent during his first two years as commissioner, and to 67 percent in the first nine months of 2011.
The Post also reported that Edwards’ store submitted the sole bid for a new county security system after Edwards advocated the system and set the specifications. County records showed New Age Electronics was also the sole bidder or not the low bidder on several other large county purchases.
Edwards said at the time that he had done nothing to increase his store’s county business and abstained on the security system purchase. He did not return a call Thursday from the Post.
Three other Republicans are running for Edwards’ seat, including Gene Meisner, his predecessor.
This year, Edwards asked the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission for an opinion about his business with the county. The commission is expected to respond at its meeting next Monday.
David Olinger: 303-954-1498 or dolinger@denverpost.com
