GOP businessman Brian Watson joins race
Colorado businessman Brian Watson this month threw his hat in the ring for state treasurer, shaking up a GOP field that already has five other candidates.
A commercial real estate investor, Watson announced his bid on Facebook earlier this month, with a video that touts his financial expertise and his ties to rural Colorado against the visual backdrop of him riding his horse, Apache.
In his announcement, Watson, the CEO of Denver-based investment firm Northstar Commercial Partners, said he wouldn’t take a publicsector salary if elected and stressed that his business experience makes him the most qualified candidate to manage the state’s finances.
“Having been battle-tested in both the political and business (capital/financial) worlds, I’m confident my experience brings a very unique set of skills and strengths to this race,” Watson wrote. “I’m not here to play politics, but rather to continue to be truly present in our community and to serve you.”
Watson brings fundraising clout to the race, reporting $21,550 in major donations in the six days since he officially filed for office. That’s more than four of his Republican opponents raised in the last three months.
In 2012, he raked in $262,153 during his bid for the state House of Representatives — the most of any state candidate that year, according to the National Institute on Money in State Politics. He lost that race to now-Sen. Daniel Kagan, D-Cherry Hills Village.
On the state employee pension fund — likely to be one of the biggest issues in the race — Watson said Colorado “must manage these assets better,” though he stopped short of outlining specific policy proposals in his announcement.
Watson joins a crowded Republican field that includes state lawmakers Rep. Polly Lawrence of Douglas County, Sen. Kevin Lundberg of Berthoud and Rep. Justin Everett of Littleton. Prosecutor Brett Barkey and Routt County Treasurer Brita Horn also are running.
On the Democratic side, state Rep. Steve Lebsock of Thornton and Denver businessman Bernard Douthit are running.
Current state Treasurer Walker Stapleton is term-limited and running for governor.