Salazar nominated for reelection, Bradley gets nod in CD 5

By Jimy Valenti
THE COLORADO STATESMAN

U.S. Rep. John Salazar seeks his fourth consecutive term representing CD 3 while Democrat Kevin Bradley is the latest challenger in CD 5, a seat controlled by Republicans since the district’s inception. Both candidates received their party’s nomination from delegates last Friday at the 1stBank Center in Broomfield.

Rep. John Salazar, D-Manassa, speaks to delegates on Saturday.

Photo by Jason Kosena/The Colorado Statesman

CD 3 delegates gave Salazar a long standing ovation and nominated him by acclamation. In his remarks Salazar warned that one of his Republican rivals for the seat would work to cut government spending by 50 percent across the board and axe the Departments of Education and Agriculture. Salazar warned that such cuts would affect Medicare and even the food delivered to soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Salazar also lauded the Senate for passing health care and financial reform.

“When our opponents say they are going to repeal health care reform because it is un-American, well there is nothing un-American about making sure that everyone in this country has health care,” Salazar said. “There is nothing un-American about taking care of the people on Main Street rather than the fat cats on Wall Street.”

Salazar was nominated by state Representatives Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass, and Sal Pace, D-Pueblo, and by his own wife, Mary Lou.

When seconding Salazar’s nomination, Pace told a story of the Congressman while he served in the Legislature. Pace was Salazar’s legislative aide at the time and as they walked through the capitol building Pace was passionately discussing a water bill. When he turned to look at Salazar, the legislator was no longer listening, but was helping a blind man navigate through the building. Pace said he learned that Salazar cared more about other people than himself.

“He’s a guy who wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but a shovel in his hand,” Pace said.

Mary Lou Salazar, his wife of 32 years, held back tears when nominating her husband. She said the Congressman is a loving father, husband, farmer and rancher. They have three sons and are expecting their second grandchild shortly.

State Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak asked delegates to tell Sarah Palin, who recently targeted Salazar in his reelection bid, to go home and stay out of Colorado’s politics. Palin gave a speech at the University of Denver later that evening.

The 3rd Congressional District encompasses most of Colorado’s Western Slope and south central Colorado. It includes the cities of Grand Junction, Durango and portions of the eastern plains including Pueblo. The district has been competitive. Salazar replaced Republican Scott McInnis, who retired from the seat in 2004, by a four-point margin over Republican Greg Walcher. Salazar could cruise to an easy victory this year. He has outraised state Rep. Scott Tipton, his major GOP rival, by nearly $800,000.

Dems have their work cut out in CD 5

It isn’t easy being a Democrat in CD 5. The district encompasses Colorado Springs and Lake, Park, Freemont, Teller and El Paso counties. A Democrat has never held the congressional seat. In 2006, Democrat Jay Fawcett secured 40 percent of the vote, the closest any Democrat has come.

Delegates this year nominated Kevin Bradley, former chair of the Fremont County Democrats, by acclamation. Bradley has an uphill fight in challenging incumbent Rep. Doug Lamborn.

“This may not be the strongest challenge that Doug Lamborn has ever faced, but it’s a sincere one…” Bradley said. “We have to continue to fight because Congressman Lamborn does not represent the majority of people in my county or in this district. Unless we continue to fight for ideals that we believe in, then we’ve lost without starting.”

Hal Bidlack, the El Paso County Democratic chair and former CD 5 Democratic candidate, nominated Bradley.

“Two years ago I ran for this congressional seat, but I actually won because my finance director is now my wife,” joked Bidlack. “Thank you for all the donations.”

State Party Chair Waak told delegates to keep fighting. She said she understands how hard it can be to get the vote out in a place like the 5th District because she lives in Republican populated Weld County. She pleaded with delegates to work hard so they can keep Colorado “a bright, bright blue.”

First Vice Chair of the State party Dan Slater said CD 5 Democrats are the toughest in the state because their ideals are challenged daily. He said it’s important for delegates to remember that statewide Democratic incumbents are not in office because Denver or Boulder had higher voter turnout, but because Democrats in the 5th and other Republican strongholds realized their vote mattered.

“There is a myth that there is no way that Democrats can win in the 5th, there’s no way Democrats can win in Colorado Springs, or that there is no way Democrats can win in Fremont County,” Slater said. “We are chipping at that myth and sooner or later we will destroy the biggest myth of all: that we can’t win the 5th and unseat Doug Lamborn.”

Delegate Sandy Horrocks, 58, from Park County said toppling that myth would be tough. She said the district would need a strong Democratic candidate and powerful national momentum.

Horrocks said her neighbors joke about her political affiliation, but it doesn’t bother her.

“When people call me a tree-hugger I just say to them, ‘are you worried about your children’s future?’” Horrocks said. “And that’s what I’m worried about and that is why I’m a Democrat. The Republicans have never stood up for the little guy and that’s what being a Democrat is all about.”

Former Lt. Governor Mike Callihan spoke on behalf of U.S. Senate candidate Michael Bennet. Callihan recounted that while on a recent camping trip in the 5th Congressional District someone tried to rip off his Obama bumper sticker. They only managed to rip the sticker’s corner, but then took a key and tore into the truck so hard that the metal collapsed.

“Here is how I got even,” Callihan said. “I sent the bill to a Republican-owned insurance company and brought my truck to a Democrat-owned body shop.”

— Jimy@coloradostatesman.com