Coffman avoids GOP primary contest

Two well-known Republican icons Al Keeler and Ruth Prendergast are Coffman supporters

BY BOB SWEENEY
PUBLISHER

Venerable five-term congressman and Marine combat veteran Mike Coffman won another battle at the 6th Congressional District Assembly at Hinkley High School April 7. Coffman garnered 74.9 percent from 272 favorable votes to challenger Roger Edwards 24.2 percent from 88 supporters. Vote counts varied by several numbers because of faulty distribution of ballots by three separate county delegates voting in the wrong counties. Both campaign organizations cooperated in the ballot count and the variance in voters with seven Arapahoe County delegates without ballots, according to Ryan Call, former state GOP chairman.

A lengthy delay occurred while election officials sorted out what had happened and agreed to accept the vote counts as presented without another vote if the margin of Coffman’s victory was above the margin of 30 percent for challenger Edwards. Edwards would have needed roughly 109 votes to make the primary election ballot.

Some of the 363 voting delegates had left the school auditorium when the ballot shortage was discovered by officials.

The 1 p.m. session was chaired by six-district chairman Bob Miles, and Andi Allott, chairman of the credential committee; rules committee, Pam Cirbo; and Matt Crane, teller. The executive committee consisted of chairman Miles, Arapahoe County, John Isaacs, vice chairman, Adams County; Jeff Wasden, vice chairman, Douglas County; and Evie Ashmore, secretary/treasurer, Arapahoe County.

Miles recognized all first responders and veterans in attendance, GOP club presidents and county chairmen. The executive committee was elected to serve as the 6th District vacancy committee, according to party bylaws.

A long list of statewide candidates was given two minutes to address the packed auditorium of delegates and alternates, many wearing Coffman or Edwards T-shirts, buttons and stickers. Timer for the prospective candidates was Monica Wasden who provided time limits placards that were enforced with the microphone turned off on several longer winded candidates.

Congressman Mike Coffman wins 74 percent of delegate votes to win

Candidate for governor Cynthia Coffman, an Aurora resident for many years, was not in attendance at the event. Republican gubernatorial candidates speaking were Mitchell, Robinson, Lopez, Barlock and Stapleton. Casper Stockham spoke as a candidate for Congress against Diana DeGette in the 1st Congressional District. A full slate of candidates for state treasurer was on hand. George Brauchler received a loud ovation as he announced that he was the only elected official not running for governor. Braucher switched from the governor’s race to seek the attorney general’s office following Coffman’s bid for governor.

Jeff Hayes, state GOP chairman briefly addressed the audience hailing party efforts and the upcoming GOP state assembly to be held in Boulder, Saturday, April 14, at the Coors Event Center. He also reported that tickets were on sale for the GOP fundraising dinner April 13 at a DTC hotel.

A fact sheet distributed at the assembly related that in the 6th Congressional District there are 167,542 unaffiliated voters; 145,772 Democrat voters; and 138,783 Republican voters.

Former Centennial city council member Sue Bosier was recognized and presented a bouquet of flowers for her service to the party, state and country.

At the end of the day, Coffman praised candidate Edwards stating, “…you showed courage and I respect you for that.”

Edward said, “I had a passion.” He related his dislike for war and thanked citizens for supporting his candidacy and in closing thanked God that President Donald Trump was president. The two candidates shook hands, embraced, and walked off the stage together.