Rick Palacio, who was elected Saturday to a third term as Colorado Democratic Party chairman, and House Speaker Dickey Lee Hullinghorst at the party’s annual Jefferson Jackson dinner later that day. (Lynn Bartels, The Denver Post)
Rick Palacio beat back a tough challenge from campaign consultant Dave Sabados to win a third term as Colorado Democratic Party chairman in a race that attracted national attention.
Palacio won after one round of balloting during the Democrats’ reorganizational meeting Saturday at the downtown Denver Marriott. With 468 Democrats voting, Palacio received 248 votes to Sabados’ 182 votes. Former congressman candidate Vic Meyers received 38 votes.
There was plenty of talk afterward about uniting to win in 2016.
“This was an incredibly close race, with only a handful of votes preventing an runoff,” Sabados said in an e-mail Sunday. “I’m proud of moving the conversation forward and giving a voice to many activists who have felt ignored. These conversations are healthy for the party and have helped us take a serious look at what needs to be done for 2015 and 2016. I believe our party will have a renewed focus on building county party infrastructure and working with local candidates.”
Dave Sabados, Democratic Party chair candidate, and C.L. Harmer, who has worked at the Capitol and for former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb’s reelection campaign, at the Democrats’ annual Jefferson Jackson dinner Saturday night in Denver. (Lynn Bartels, The Denver Post)
after Palacio announced Thursday night that the make-up of the committee that was going to do the voting did not meet party requirements for gender equality and he needed to appoint 46 more men. Sabados accused him of trying to stack the deck, but Palacio pointed out the rule has been in place since the 1970s.
“I also hope we will reform party rules that have been ambiguous so we can more forward and focus on winning elections again,” Sabados also said Sunday.
Republicans, , were delighted to see the other guys in the news for once. Their election is March 14.
I’m just glad you guys are the ones fighting for once. 🙂
— Kelly Maher (@okmaher)
Palicio acknowledged his opponents during the party’s annual Jefferson Jackson dinner later that Saturday, which featured awards, a keynote speech from U.S. Al Franken of Minnesota and plenty of lawmakers, lobbyists, candidates and other elected officials.
