Confident Coffman campaign already looking for general election workers

With the 6th Congressional District primary days away, Mike Coffman’s campaign is clearly feeling good about his chances in the race.

His campaign sent out an e-mail Monday looking for interns for his general campaign office, but it sounded like he was already taking office in Washington.

The e-mail, sent out by Coffman organizational director Jeff Small to 42 College Republicans and others interested in working with the campaign, asserts that Coffman “is the unanimous favorite to win on August 12th.”

“Should this be the case, internships will be immediately available with the strong potential of earning a job in Mike's Congressional office,” the e-mail stated.

“Mike has said he will give first priority to those who work hard with him in the trenches, and now is your chance to show him what you've got!”

It’s illegal for a candidate to promise a government job in exchange for political support. But Coffman manager Dustin Zvonek said the e-mail was only meant to refer to jobs with the campaign this fall and said Small mistakenly wrote “Congressional office” instead of “Congressional campaign office.”

Many political observers agree that Coffman is the favorite – though not a shoo-in – in the 6th District GOP race over businessman Wil Armstrong and state Sens. Ted Harvey (R-Highlands Ranch) and Steve Ward (R-Littleton).

But if Coffman does prevail in the Aug. 12 primary, he’ll be the heavy favorite to win the conservative-leaning district over Democrat Hank Eng in the Nov. 4 general election.

Asked why the Coffman campaign’s feeling confident enough to solicit fall staffers before the primary campaign has ended, Zvonek said the campaign has heard of low absentee ballot returns -- which Zvonek said would likely work to Coffman's advantage.

Zvonek also cited 48-hour notices sent to Federal Election Commission by Coffman and Wil Armstrong showing donations of $1,000 or more.

According to the FEC reports, Coffman has received more than 7 times as many $1,000-plus donations as Armstrong.“We feel confident of where we are right now,” Zvonek said.

But not surprisingly, Armstrong manager Jack Stansbery took issue with predictions of a Coffman victory. “It is typical of Mike Coffman to ignore the will of the voters and declare victory months and now weeks ahead of Election Day,” Stansbery said in an e-mail. 

“It’s politics as usual," Stansbery said in the e-mail. "…While Mike Coffman is laying back assuming votes for himself, Wil Armstrong is on the phones and knocking on doors, working hard to earn votes.” 

As for the e-mail’s reference to jobs in Coffman’s “Congressional office,” Stansbery said in the email that, “Whether it’s being convicted of breaking campaign finance law, allowing his government employees to do partisan political work, or now offering federal jobs to his best campaign volunteers – Mike Coffman has a very long political record of controversy.” 

Ward manager Christine Burtt predicted in an e-mail that the primary vote "will split," adding she was "certain that Mike Coffman will not be the unanimous' choice of voters."

"His promise of patronage, volunteering now to ensure a paying job later, is a page from the Democrat playbook," Burtt said in the e-mail. "Steve's made no promises (to his 200-plus volunteers), other than he'll work hard on their behalf and remain true to our Republican values."

An e-mail sent to the Harvey campaign seeking comment was not immediately returned Wednesday.   

The full e-mail (contact info has been redacted):

Fellow Republicans,

Mike has maintained a lead throughout the Republican primary and has run a great campaign. We are now down to the final 8 days of the primary and need your help!

Mike has had the lead in the polls and is the unanimous favorite to win on August 12th. Should this be the case, internships will be immediately available with the strong potential of earning a job in Mike's Congressional office. Mike has said he will give first priority to those who work hard with him in the trenches, and now is your chance to show him what you've got!

The other three candidates in the race have realized Mike's strength and have resorted to negative tactics. As you may have read in the papers, a nasty mailing has come out in the last week with multiple lies about Mike and his record. It even prompted Congressman Tancredo, who has been quiet throughout the race, to issue a statement defending Mike. This same opponent has also donated $500,000 of his own money in an attempt to buy the election and discredit Mike through the media.

Mike has run a positive campaign, focused on the issues, telling the people of the 6th Congressional district what he hopes to do for our state and country. Mike is the most experienced candidate and hardest working candidate in this race. He will be the candidate to make the changes we need in Washington DC.

Mike believes we need to drill now, explore alternative fuel sources, and bring down the price of gas at the pump for American families!

To help Mike to Victory, here's what you can do:

-Cast your vote for Mike in the August 12th Republican Primary. (You must live in Congressional District 6 in Colorado)
-Make Phone Calls for Mike from your home. (I'll email you a list and script)
-Come into our office in Highlands Ranch. There are lots of things going on. (Just south of C-470 and Broadway)
-Walk your neighborhood for Mike. (We'll provide a list and materials)
-Help with Honk and Waves (We'll be on high traffic corners in the mornings from 7-8:30 and at nights from 5-6:30 with a big Mike sign. You don't have to stay the whole time).

Now is the time when we need your help. The district is 2-1 for Republicans so if Mike wins on August 12th he will be the next Congressman from the 6th CD.

Email me at XXXX, call our office at XXXX or my cell phone at XXXX if you are available to help Mike.

Everyone who participates will be able to attend the Victory Party Tuesday evening August 12th free of charge!

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Jeff Small
Organizational Director, Coffman for Congress