The Stinker's Picks for the Primary

What started as a promising election year, at the Colorado GOP State Assembly, has turned out to have some unexpected twists. The spoiler, Tom Tancredo, is jumping in to the fray to make it even more twisted. In my opinion, Tancredo should stay out of this and let the process resolve itself.

So, let me give you my picks for the primary.

In the Governor’s race we have Scott McInnis and Dan Maes. Both candidates have turned out to have their share of weaknesses. No matter the outcome, I think that in the General election we will end up with the coronation of Colorado’s Liberal Media Darling Governor John Hickenlooper.

The plagiarism allegations against McInnis may not be totally his fault. Some responsibility should rest on his researcher as well. It is a best practice to cite sources when research is provided, even when the research is not being published, so that the research can be verified. McInnis is a family friend so these developments certainly come with a great deal of disappointment.

Maes on the other hand continues to have some significant questions unanswered concerning his financial situation, and claims of being a successful businessman. How close is Maes to bankruptcy and a foreclosure on his Evergreen, CO home? What is the truth behind his campaign’s financial irregularities?

In the Governor’s race my choice will remain Scott McInnis.

Thankfully, the US Senate race is a lot clearer. After the GOP Assembly and a successful petition process, I would have preferred that Jane Norton participated in the GOP Assembly process. Norton is a genuinely nice person, who listens and seems to have the desire to truly represent the citizens of the state. I think as a conservative woman Norton irritates the Denver Media, which in itself would be reason to vote for her.

Ken Buck generated a lot of support early, as the dark horse tea-party conservative candidate. His ethics have been questioned, concerning the Golyansky affair. He has other ethical issues, which will be exposed during the campaign. As Weld County District Attorney, his seizure of confidential tax records to investigate identity theft by illegal immigrants without probable cause, will become fodder for the media. Wait until Colorado’s Liberal Media alleges Buck’s “racist” treatment of immigrants. Is Buck a little too cozy with the Democrat Party? Remember, Ritter was the best man at Buck’s Wedding. Is Buck as conservative as he wants the GOP voters to believe, or is he Colorado’s Arlen Specter?

In the US Senate race Jane Norton will get my vote.

Colorado’s 7th Congressional District candidates Ryan Frazier and Lang Sias both have military service, a plus for any candidate. Frazier came from a modest background, learning the value of family, faith, education and hard work along the way. Frazier is a small businessman, co-founder of a charter school, community leader, who is dedicated to the needs of his constituents.

While impressive to listen to Lang Sias, the Top Gun, Lawyer, only recently joined the party. Sias was registered as an independent, a democrat, an independent, and now a republican, has he made up his mind? Sias only recently moved to the district, from Colorado’s 2nd Dist. Sias hasn’t exercised his duty by voting in the past ten years. Sias contributed to the Congressional Campaign of Mark Udall. Sias's attacks on Frazier's missed "Final Votes" on the Aurora Council, might make good headlines, they are not necessarily the key votes nor do they accrurately reflect Aurora's process (the final votes are a mere formality, which is something that Sias supporter Former Mayor Paul Tauer should know).

Ryan Frazier is the best candidate to beat the incumbent in this race.

In the State Treasurer’s race we have J.J. Ament and Walker Stapleton. Both candidates seem to have similar financial business experience, with Ament gaining the edge in having experience working with the State as a client, to finance higher-education capital construction projects. While Stapleton is a newcomer to the state, he has family roots here. Ament is a native of the state.

My choice is J.J. Ament in this race.

So my lineup is McInnis for Governor, Norton for US Senate, Frazier for CO-7th District, Ament for CO Treasurer.

For full disclosure as a long time party activist (over 34 years), in this election cycle, I have contributed to the Norton and Frazier Campaigns, and have done volunteer work for Frazier.