The Chaffee County Democrats concluded their bi-annual Caucus and Assembly on Saturday, March 5, instituting a new virtual format for the meeting that met the county’s COVID-19 standards that remain in effect until April, 1 2022. The meeting was conducted virtually by Zoom.
Caucus highlights included speeches and videos by candidates and Colorado Democratic officeholders, including Secretary of State Jenna Griswold, and Attorney General Phil Weiser. Julie McClusky, candidate for Colorado House District 13 appeared in person. . Candidates for Colorado District 7, Brittany Petterson and George English also appeared virtually. Jeff Ravage, a candidate for Senate District 4 appeared in person. Candidate videos are posted online at chaffeecountydemocrats.org.
Chaffee County Democrats Logo (Image courtesy of The Colorado Democratic Party)
Precinct organizers were nominated at the caucus. These organizers will work in their individual precincts to organize volunteers, fundraise, and a get-out-the-vote effort.
The Chaffee Democrat’s assembly met following the caucus, which included the appearance in-person of Governor Jared Polis, who had a special message for Chaffee County.
“Colorado is about looking forward, not looking back. We worked for full-day kindergarten and preschool for our children, we capped co-pays on insulin, the first state to do so, and worked for affordable housing,” said Polis.
The assembly nominated three Chaffee candidates directly onto the primary ballot. They include:
- Commissioner candidate PT Wood
- Clerk and Recorder Lori Mitchell for re-election
- Coroner Jeff Graff for re-election
The county democratic party has made a point of reaching out to county Dems, stressing the importance not just of voting, but of volunteering and donating to support progressive candidates like Mitchell and Graff. Both say they support platforms like Build Back Better, and the Child Tax credit put forth by U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. The candidates all say they are committed to legislation that helps working famiies.
While the Chaffee Democrats don’t often make a big deal about it, it should be noted that the currently divided nature of public opinion has meant that right-wing extreme behavior is punctuating the state’s normally peaceful election processes. In fact, Chaffee County Clerk Mitchell has been threatened and stalked by right-wing extremists, and she is not the only county clerk to face intimidation.
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