Polis Picks Up Vets Group Endorsement

CD-2 Democratic candidate Jared Polis got a veterans' group endorsement of his own Tuesday when he was endorsed by the Colorado Veterans Alliance.

The Alliance, formed last year by Marine Capt. Rick Duncan, represents 32,000 military veterans in Colorado. 

Duncan, an Iraq War veteran, said he made the endorsement on behalf of the group after speaking with organization members and meeting with Polis several times.

"Looking at the past accomplishments and doings of the candidates, I really feel that Mr. Polis A) has a dedication to causes he believes in, and B) has an ability to execute on the information that he gets," Duncan said. "My gut instinct led me to believe that this is a gentleman who will do good for veterans and their families here in Colorado." 

Duncan said Polis was first recommended to him by a friend and fellow military officer who knew someone who works in Polis' office.

"He said, ‘You should really take a look at this guy,'" Duncan said.

Polis was criticized last month by another state vets group, Colorado Veterans for America, for sending out a mailer that superimposed the Blackwater military contractor logo over the American flag in the famous World War II photo of Marines raising the flag over Iwo Jima.

Colorado Veterans for America has endorsed Joan Fitz-Gerald in the CD-2 race.

Duncan said he "was in no way offended" by the Polis mailer, adding his real concern was that military contractors in Iraq make up to $600 a day and call in military servicepeople when they find themselves in trouble.

"This money is being on paid on the backs, and the blood and with the lives of American soldiers," Duncan said. "And that to me is offensive."

Duncan pointed out that Jim Hudson, the vice-president of Colorado Veterans for America who made the criticism of Polis, was not an Iraq veteran.

"I do believe that his opinions, while valid, are not based upon first-hand experience like mine are," said Duncan, who has served in Iraq twice and made a personal visit to the war-torn country last year.

Hudson, a Vietnam War veteran, responded that he would call Duncan Wednesday asking him to "sit down and talk about Jared Polis' hypocrisy with respect to this war."