Scheffel cleans up at SD-4 assembly; Denny submits petitions

CORRECTION: The initial story stated, in error, that Ed Brewer would still be able to petition onto the ballot after receiving 25 percent of the vote. Brewer is not able to petition, as did not turn in petitions to the Colorado Secretary of State's office by the May 29 deadline.

Former Douglas County Republican Party Chair Mark Scheffel was the only one of four candidates to make the ballot from Friday's SD-4 GOP assembly.

Scheffel, a Parker attorney, won 65 percent of the assembly delegate votes.

Precinct 131 Committeeman Ed Brewer of Castle Rock won 25 percent of the vote, but since he did not submit petitions to the Colorado Secretary of State's office by the May 29 deadline, he's out of the race.

Castle Rock Mayor Randy Reed and computer consultant Mark Vanderbilt of Castle Rock are out of the race after receiving 7 percent and 2 percent of the votes, respectively.

Meanwhile, retired Air Force Colonel Bob Denny of Glen Eagle has submitted petitions to the Colorado Secretary of State's office. Two other SD-4 GOP candidates who had planned to petition, Precinct 58 Committeeman Roger Partridge of Castle Rock, and SD-4 GOP Chair John Peterson of Castle Rock, did not turn in petitions by the May 29 deadline.

Scheffel said afterwards the assembly was "just the first hurdle" in succeeding state Sen. Tom Wiens (R-Castle Rock), who announced last month that he would not seek re-election.

The assembly was held at the Westin in Westminster.

At the assembly, a letter was distributed from former U.S. Rep. Joel Hefley endorsing Scheffel.

In the letter, Hefley called Scheffel "a man of character and impeccable character.

"Mark is able to bring people together, to advance common goals, and yet to stand alone when circumstances call for good men to hold the higher ground of moral principle," Hefley wrote.