Ganahl wins GOP race, will face Polis for governor’s post
Anderson to face Griswold for SOS; other matchups are now set
Heidi Ganahl will vie to become Colorado’s first female governor after defeating Greg Lopez in the Republican Party’s Primary Election Tuesday, June 28.
While Lopez drew favor in largely rural areas of the state, Ganahl managed to earn support in large population areas and by contending in rural areas of the state.
It could be the exact formula Ganahl will need when she faces Democrat Gov. Jared Polis in the general election.
“For a second time now, I have defeated Jared Polis and the far-left. I beat them a few years ago in my race for University of Colorado regent, and I did it again today when they tried to steal our Republican primary,” said Ganahl, referencing Democratic-funded campaign ads purportedly aimed at getting her opponent elected. “Their dirty trick backfired. Our team and our supporters are energized and ready to fight for our Colorado way of life. Let’s tell Jared Polis this is an election, not an auction.”
Unofficial election returns indicate about 118,000 more ballots were cast in the Republican race for governor than in the unopposed Democratic race. Ganahl won the Republican primary with 53.53% of the vote.
Ganahl has campaigned on personal freedoms, empowering business owners, lowering crime, decreasing costs of living and prices being paid at the pump, and to address education.
“Thank you to those of you who voted for me. For those who did not, I will work hard to earn your support,” Ganahl said. “To my opponent, Greg Lopez, thank you for standing up for our state. Your passion for Colorado and dedication to restoring freedom is admirable. I look forward to working with you and your supporters.”
Lopez conceded the race to Ganahl. He had won the Republican Assembly support of delegates, but Ganahl surged on the campaign trail in the closing weeks prior to Election
Day.
“Greg stated at the first debate that if Heidi won the primary, he would give Heidi his full support,” the press statement reads. “Greg will keep his promise and will support Heidi to defeat Gov. Polis in November.”
Added Lopez in another email to supporters: “[Voters] shared sentiment is that they’re done with Jared Polis. Tonight, the voters decided this is unequivocally true, but with Heidi Ganahl as their champion and standard-bearer. I respect, honor, and support their decision unreservedly.”
Lopez had previously told Eastern Colorado voters if they wanted to recall Polis, the best way would be at the ballot box in November 2022. His campaign asked supporters to back Ganahl and provided several links to learn about her candidacy, including a link to donate toward her campaign.
Polis boasted in a press
statement that he had met with and engaged voters in “every corner of the state.” Ganahl and Lopez had also claimed to have visited all 64 counties. Polis gathered 450,487 statewide votes, opposed to the 568,960 cast in the Republican primary. The election may have been a lack of a draw for Democratic voters who in most areas did not have opposed races in which to consider, and in many Eastern Colorado counties no Democrat candidate from the state legislature to a host of county races.
“As Colorado’s governor, I’m focused on doing what’s right for Colorado,” Polis said. “While others divide us with partisan agendas, I’m working to get real work done for Coloradans — helping families keep more of the money they earn, better protecting communities from wildfires and crime, and standing up for more freedom for every Coloradan.”
The Democratic Governor’s Association noted his work toward universal kindergarten and pre-k and toward legislation securing abortion as a right, among his achievements. The abortion issue could be one of the more polarizing on the campaign trail between the general election candidates, but there will likely be little in which they can agree, including the governor’s record.
“Gov. Polis has delivered real results that will have a huge impact for Colorado families,” said North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper.
The Polis campaign additionally sent out statements from a routable of sources in support of his candidacy. Ganahl drew support from Job Creators Network CEO Alfredo Ortiz: “Heidi has been responsible for creating thousands of jobs, and given countless people the opportunity to start their own small businesses. Through the years I have watched Heidi dedicate huge amounts of time and resources to defending and promoting policies that make it easier for people to start businesses, create jobs, and grow success.”
Anderson to face Griswold for SOS
Pam Anderson eased to victory Tuesday evening in the Republican Party’s Colorado secretary of state race, earning a chance to face Jena Griswold in the general election.
Anderson earned 43.21% of statewide votes in the Republican Party primary, as voters largely rejected Tina Peters, who has been embattled with legal troubles in her position as Mesa County clerk. Peters earned 28.28% of votes and Mike O’Donnell took 28.51%.
“There are clear differences between my vision for the office of secretary of state and my opponents, Republican or Democratic. As an election official for nearly 20 years and having represented one of the most politically diverse counties in the country, I know that as Coloradans we share the most important values as Americans – for accessible, accurate, and fair elections,” Anderson said. “I will continue my fight for restoring the confidence of Colorado voters against lies and the politicians or interest groups that seek to weaponize elections administration for political advantage.”
There were about
121,000 more votes cast in the Republican primary featuring three candidates than for Griswold in an unopposed primary.
Peters had been asked to suspend her campaign by the Colorado Republican Party related to charges stemming from Mesa County elections, but instead earned the support of delegates at the Republican Assembly, taking the top position on the ballot. Anderson petitioned onto the ballot.
“Voter confidence has been shaken, and wellmeaning people do have questions and concerns. I won’t shy away from these debates and will support local election officials through reliance on evidence- based elections, adherence to the law, training, and funding resources,” Anderson said. “I will be the fair referee for Colorado to continue to improve both access for voters and securing and enhancing our elections.”
Should she be elected as the secretary of state, Anderson said her office would not be “driven by partisan politics” but rather “focused on policy and rebuilding confidence in our elections.”
The race between Anderson and Griswold could boil down to experience, and Griswold says she has it. So does Anderson.
“I am the only candidate with proven experience in protecting the right to vote and running safe, secure, accessible statewide elections,” she said. “Throughout the past four years, I have overseen six successful statewide elections, several with record- breaking turnout. Under my leadership, Colorado’s elections have remained the gold standard.”
In an Election Night release, Griswold claimed to have increased ballot drop boxes by 65% and claimed credit for the addition of in-person voting locations. She also noted legislation she “championed” related to protections for local election officials and her actions toward Peters in what she termed “future insider threats.” Colorado Republican Party Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown has repeatedly termed Griswold a “political hack”.
Added Griswold’s campaign manager Kyla Sabado: “Pam Anderson is a career politician who has proven that she cannot be trusted to stand up to the far-right extremists that dominate the Republican Party.”
Anderson predicted the campaign would come down to the issues and the person best suited for office.
“My campaign and this election will go beyond just who is the most qualified and experienced to serve the voters of Colorado,” she said. “It will be about who has the proven leadership to stand up for these principles with trust and integrity.”
Other matchups set
With the settling of returns, a couple of other matchups have been set from unopposed party primary races.
Democrat Dave Young will meet Republican Lang Sias for the state treasurer’s seat presently held by Young. Democrat Phil Weiser will meet Republican John Kellner for attorney general, a position held by Weiser.
Holtorf cruises in HD63 race
State Rep. Richard Holtorf, R- Akron, will be returning to the Colorado House after making easy work of his primary opponent, Eckley Mayor Jessie Vance, in the Republican Party’s primary election for House District 63.
Unofficial election returns gave Holtorf
71.47% of all votes in the district. Vance only collected 32.81% of votes in his home county of Yuma, while Holtorf dominated his home county of Washington with 89.29% of the vote, and grabbed decisive margins in the most populated counties in the district: 69.38% in Weld,
65.23% in Morgan and 76.06% in Logan. Some have theorized it was the most contentious election in decades in Northeast Colorado.
“I would like to thank everyone for their ability to see the leadership and experience that I bring to Colorado and Northeast Colorado,” said Holtorf, declaring victory in the race. “I am ready to roll up my sleeves and go back to work for rural Colorado.”
Holtorf would not face a Democratic opponent in the general election, making him the presumtive office holder for the district which includes Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld and Yuma counties.
Holtorf served in the Colorado House in the past session, representing the previous District 64, which included Washington County.
Pelton, Sonnenberg switch places
Additionally, Logan County Commissioner Byron Pelton and State Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg unofficially switched offices on Election Night. Pelton earned 22,038 votes in an unopposed race for Senate District 1. Sonnenberg was also unopposed for Pelton’s seat as a Logan County commissioner.