The hall fell silent as Alice Nichol, tarred by a criminal investigation, walked to the stage after her name was placed in nomination for a third term as Adams County commissioner.
More than 350 delegates were registered to participate in Adams County Democratic Assembly on Saturday at the Adams County Fairgrounds.
Nichol has to receive 30 percent of the votes to earn a spot on this fall’s ballot. If she receives less than 30 — but more than 10 percent — she can petition her way on to the Democratic primary ballot.
If she receives less than 10 percent she will have to run as a write-in candidate.
Nichol announced her intent to run for re-election in February, despite being part of an investigation by Jefferson County District Attorney Scott Storey.
The investigation is looking into Nichol’s dealings with Quality Paving Co., as part of a wide-reaching scandal that is suspected of costing Adams County taxpayers $8.6 million in fraudulent billings.
“Is it based on perception or on the support I’ve given the party over the years,” Nichol said after her nomination was announced. “I am disappointed that some seem willing to vote on a perception, not on facts or reality.”
Democrat Charles “Chaz” Tedesco also announced he was a candidate for Nichol’s District 2 seat.
The results were expected to be released early Saturday afternoon, but were delayed after a mixup led to 35 more ballots being cast than there were registered delegates.
The final results of were expected to be released Saturday evening.
“I think perception is huge,” Tedesco said. “I believe people voting want someone who will listen to them and I believe I can be that person.”
Quality Paving officials have been convicted of numerous felonies related to the overbilling. Adams County public-works director Lee Asay and Sam Gomez, a former construction manager in the department, face felony trials.
Asay, Gomez and Nichol all had work done at their homes by Quality Paving. Nichol maintains she paid a fair price for the $10,000 job at her home.
An investigation by The Denver Post revealed Nichol’s connection to Quality Paving in January 2011.
Bob Grant, former Adams County district attorney, nominated Nichol and urged delegates to not let the media “run their election” and remember that Nichol was “innocent until proven guilty.”
“I’m here today to ask you to do one thing,” Grant said. “Be fair. Do not judge people by what you don’t know, but by what you do know.”
Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794 or jsteffen@denverpost.com
Staff writer Monte Whaley contributed to this report.
This article has been corrected in this online archive. Originally, due to a reporting error, the story incorrectly described how Adams County Commissioner Alice Nichol might run for re-election if she received less than 10 percent of the vote at the county nominating assembly. She received 24 percent of the vote and may now petition to get on the primary ballot. Had she received less than 10 percent of the vote, she would have had to run as a write-in candidate.
