Walker Stapleton joins gubernatorial race.
Colorado’s treasurer jumps into crowded GOP primary race for governor
Colorado’s treasurer officially jumps into the crowded Republican primary contest for governor.
Walker Stapleton, Colorado’s treasurer, made official his expected bid for governor Saturday night, jumping into the crowded Republican primary contest for the job.
“As Governor, I will demand that Colorado’s government serves the taxpayers of Colorado, not special interest groups and government bureaucrats,” Stapleton said in a statement to announcing his campaign. “Our Department of Transportation is spending $150 million of your money on new offices, instead of putting that money towards much needed roads. Actions like this have left taxpayers stuck in traffic, while bureaucrats enjoy brand new offices. That is not government putting taxpayers first.”
An independent expenditure committee called Better Colorado Now and backing Stapleton has been raising money for months.
Stapleton, 43, is in his second term as Colorado’s treasurer and has ties to the Bush family.
Already in the race on the Republican side are cochairman of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in Colorado Steve Barlock, 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler, Larimer County Commissioner Lew Gaiter, former Parker Mayor Greg Lops, former state lawmaker and businessman Victor Mitchell and former investment banker Doug Robinson.
There are also a host of candidates running as Democrats, including businessman Noel Ginsburg, former state Sen. Mike Johnston, former treasurer Cary Kennedy, Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne and U.S. Rep. Jared Polis.
State Attorney General Cynthia Coffman has been mulling a run for governor but has yet to say whether she will get into the race or when she will decide.