Court beats financial odds to win HD-6 Democratic primary

CourtAsked why she won Tuesday's state House District 6 Democratic primary, Lois Court  didn't hesitate.

"I rejected special interest money and I accepted the spending limit," Court told PolitickerCO.com. "And I made it very clear to the people of this district that I was to represent their interests - not special interests - and that I want people to always be more important in my representation than money. It's just a real basic concept."

Court won handily in a three-way race many had said beforehand was too close to call. Court, a former City of Denver department head, won 44 percent of the vote. Former legislative policy analyst Liz Adams received 38 percent of the vote; Entrepreneur and philanthropist Josh Hanfling came in third with 18 percent.

Hanfling had raised $108,049 for the race, campaign finance reports showed - easily topping Court's $65,902 and Adams' $60,676.

But observers of the race noted that both Court and Adams campaigned door-to-door more heavily than Hanfling.

And Court knows something about campaigning: she's managed the campaigns of state Rep. Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood), and Denver City Council members Doug Linkhart and Cathy Reynolds.

Adams and Hanfling did not immediately return phone calls Wednesday morning seeking comment.

Court will now face blogger and radio talk-show host host Joshua Sharf, who handily beat professional translator Rima Sinclair in Tuesday's HD-6 Republican primary.

Court called Sharf "a fine person.

"He's got a lot to offer; He's very bright," Court said. "I look forward to the opportunity to discuss issues with him."

Court is favored to win the seat in November, given the district's heavy Democratic slant.

Indeed, the district has been a starting point for some of Colorado's most prominent Democratic politicians, including U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Denver), former Colorado Gov. Dick Lamm, and current House Speaker Andrew Romanoff.

"If I can be half as good as my predecessors," Court said, "I think I'll do a hell of a job."