Representative Marsha Looper, R-Calhan, and lots of lobbyists who pitched in to the campaign for Senator Jean White, R-Steamboat, are licking wounds tonight.  Majority Leader Amy Stephens, R-CoSpgs, beat Looper hands down, 59.6-40.4, and Baumgardner beat White almost as handily, 58.2-41.7.  

Looper has that $60,000+ loan to pay off.  White brought in more than double Baumgardner's campaign take, much of it from PACs and lobbyists, but couldn't get the win.  All those NW Colorado ranchers and miners pulled out a big one for Baumgardner, stuffing the skiers, doctors, and realtors. 

It's hard to tell from the two races how the teaparty v business interests played out.  Looper's voting record is much more anti-tax and anti-government than Stephens', and she lost.  Baumgardner's voting record is much more anti-tax and anti-government than White's, and he won.  Business liked Stephens and White, so got a split decision.

Meanwhile, Rep. Larry Liston, R-CoSpgs, lost to Owen Hill, a young political firebrand who trounced Liston at the El Paso County GOP Assembly for Liston's vote on this year's E-Verify bill.  Liston out-raised Hill and took out a $5000 loan.  But Hill held his own with money, and his youth and energy make him an up and comer in the GOP.  Hill's a cinch to win the seat and he can now join Sen. John Morse, D-CoSpgs, who beat Hill by fractions in the 2010 election. 

Rep. Glenn Vaad, R-HD48, lost to the charismatic Vicki Marble for the SD23 seat.  Vaad outraised Marble, but her strong "protect life and protect guns" stands and her bullet point style sharply contrasted with Vaad's more prosaic approach.  Fiery took the day in the 105 degree heat and smoke up north.

Races where the candidate had the most money and won in the House include Mike Foote for Boulder's HD12; Rep. Jean Labuda, D, and John Kidd, R, in HD-1; Lois Landgraf, R-HD21; Justin Everett, R-HD22; Polly Lawrence, R-HD39; Javon Melton, D-HD41; Jeffrey Hare, R-48 (even though he's in the hole by $2000+); James Wilson, R-HD60; and Debra Irving (R-HD61). Kudos to Angie Layton; she took out a $25,000 loan bet on herself for HD12, but lost against Foote.  That's putting your money where your commitment is.

On the Senate side, John Sampson risked a $10000 loan and won SD28; Crestina Martinez, the young county commissioner, out polled Armando Valdez for SD35 on the Dem side.  Martinez may be the counterpoint to Owen Hill; she'll be the young Democrat livewire who sets the world on fire.  PENCCW

This post was published on June 26, 2012. Permalink »