Congressman Ed Perlmutter, recognized as the king of retail politics in Colorado, has been named this year’s Democrat of the Year, while Joe Neguse, who waged a strong battle for secretary of state in a Republican year, has been named the party’s rising star.
Democrat Joe Neguse (The Denver Post)
U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Goldem
They will receive their awards at the Colorado Democratic Party’s annual 2015 Jefferson Jackson Dinner Feb. 28 at the Marriott Denver City. Tickets .
Also receiving awards are Mick Ireland of Pitkin County and Rochelle Galindo of Weld County, chosen as volunteers of the year.
Perlmutter, a Jefferson County native, has represented the 7th Congressional District since he was first elected in 2006. :
Over the years, he has a developed a reputation for coming to the rescue, whether it’s a small-business man struggling to get a bank loan to keep his barbecue operation going or a widow needing help with a Social Security claim.
On the campaign trail, Perlmutter seems to know everyone. He either grew up with them or gave them legal advice, or his daughters played with their daughters on the softball teams he coached.
Neguse to Republican Wayne Williams after an impressive run. Neguse won Adams and Arapahoe counties by higher margins than Mark Udall, Andrew Romanoff, Don Quick and Betsy Markey. Neguse lost to Williams, the El Paso County clerk and recorder, by 2.57 percentage points..
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