6th CD race makes GOP hot

Now that candidates in the 6th CD have gotten through the introductory phase of the campaign where they say nice things about each other and try to define who they are, we are entering the phase of the campaign where candidates begin to draw contrasts between themselves and their opponents.

And that means that things will get a little hotter.

For example on Friday in front of the Highlands Ranch Republican Breakfast Club, Mike Coffman said that you don’t send people to Congress to be friends with everyone, but rather to get things done, and sometimes that means standing up to your own party.

Coffman pointed out, for example, that in standing up to Republican Governor Owens over state spending he got for his reward a year without being able to get a return call from the Governor.

“I think that was a subtle hint to some that Wil Armstrong may be a nice guy, but nice guys aren’t necessarily great congressman,” says one Republican in attendance at the event.

Coffman denied that the comment was directed at any one individual saying simply: “It takes a certain toughness [to run for congress]. I didn’t do it in the context of any one of them.”

Later in the day Senator Ted Harvey claimed the broadest base of support amongst Republican Party activists and condemned Coffman for not going through the caucus process:   “Because of the depth of our support,” says Harvey “we may be the only candidate going through the caucus process.”

Coffman told PolitickerCO that no decision has yet been made regarding whether he will go through the assembly process or not. Still it’s widely expected that Coffman will not be a candidate at the 6th CD assembly, but is only saying no decision has been made to blunt criticism of him from Party rank and file.     

Meanwhile, one Republican leader made perfectly clear how she feels about bypassing the caucus and assembly process. Douglas County GOP chair Kelsey Alexander barred both Armstrong and Coffman from the county assembly on Saturday. While each was allowed to pass out materials in front of Castle View High School where the assembly took place neither candidate was allowed inside the building. Neither campaign was allowed to have an official presence at the assembly in the form of a booth or table either.

“In all likelihood either Coffman or Armstrong will end up being the nominee,” said one GOP attendee. “Let’s face it Harvey just can’t raise the money he needs to compete. Kelsey ought to think through that before she divides people in the party more and more. At this point we could use a little more unity in the GOP.”

That may be. But with the kind of heat generated by the 6th CD, it will be a while before people move closer together.