Attendees raise paddles to offer donations at the Chaffee County Democrats fundraiser event. Photo by Carly Winchell
The Chaffee County Democrats held a fundraising event at the Scout Hut in Salida on Saturday, February 17. In addition to officially introducing Chaffee County Commissioner candidates Gina Lucrezi and Dave Armstrong (covered in Part I here) Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives Julie McCluskie, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen, and former U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter addressed attendees on the upcoming election season.
Former Member of the Colorado Senate Kerry Donovan emceed the fundraising portion of the event with McCluskie, and County Commissioner Keith Baker emceed the speakers throughout the evening.
McCluskie spoke following the county commissioner candidates. Before being elected to the state house, McCluskie had a successful career in business and education. She was born and grew up in Dillon, Colo., and graduated from Colorado State University. She is the first female House Speaker from the Western Slope.
Early in her candidacy, McCluskie wanted to represent Chaffee County and got her wish when it was then included in the 13th House District.
“The Chaffee County Dems have it wired,” praised McCluskie after acknowledging numerous people in the room.
McCluskie provided a quick rundown of what is going on at the Capitol. She reported that the House and Senate passed 484 bills for the state of Colorado in 2023, including three bills protecting women’s reproductive rights and five gun violence prevention bills. McCluskie also said they intend to bring eleven gun violence prevention bills this year.
“What gives me the greatest pleasure is being able to raise up our issues down in the urban city of Denver,” said McCluskie. She cited water, wildfire threats, protecting public lands, as well as the tourism and outdoor recreation economies.
“It has been a tremendous honor but also a responsibility to be sure I keep that flag flying high for what it means to be a Coloradan, the spirit of being a Coloradan, and all of that is embodied in a county like Chaffee.”
McCluskie also identified housing as a top priority for Colorado Democrats saying they are carrying a variety of bills to address the affordability crisis.
“I am excited to say that I too will be running for reelection in November,” announced McCluskie at the end of her speech.
Former Colorado Senator Kerry Donovan and Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskie run the Chaffee County Democrats fundraiser. Photo by Carly Winchell
At about the midpoint of the evening, there was a paddle-raising fundraiser for Chaffee County Democrats where Donovan and McCluskie called out amounts and attendees raised paddles provided at each table to indicate their willingness to donate. Volunteers then navigated the packed room to gather names, contact information, and amounts to be donated from those with raised paddle or hand.
The goal for the night was $4,000, which Donovan explained would allow the party to invest $10,000 in all of the candidates. According to Donovan, a race in Chaffee County costs around $40,000 to start.
The $4,000 amount was quickly achieved as amounts from $1,000 to $25 were called out in descending order. Representative Pettersen joined in and donated alongside a good number of the attendees.
McCluskie then introduced Pettersen by praising the energy, enthusiasm, and compassion she brought to Congress. Pettersen thanked McCluskie reminding her of those traits, especially in the face of the current dysfunction on display in politics.
“The least competitive race I’ve ever run in was actually for Congress because we did the work upfront to run the campaign that we needed to, and we literally shut them out,” said Pettersen while discussing her history in politics.
She described the situation she faced during her previous election as a “rollercoaster ride” with Democrats uncertain how they may fare during the midterm election, at least until the Supreme Court delivered their decision on Roe v. Wade. “C7 [Chaffee’s district] had one of the highest turnouts in the country, and it was college-educated women that made sure we overperformed in this district,” said Pettersen.
U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen speaks to the Chaffee County Democrats at a fundraiser. Photo by Carly Winchell
However, the theme of the night was that Democrats shouldn’t take anything for granted. “I’m really proud of what we were able to do, but it’s not reflective of the district that we have. This is one that still only leans our way. This is a race we can’t take for granted,” said Pettersen.
She went on to explain that Colorado races wouldn’t be receiving support from the National Democratic Party this year, so it would be up to the State Democratic Party, the candidates, and voters to work hard this election.
“I can tell you, watching the Republicans day in and day out, they have no business being in charge,” asserted Pettersen. “This is just total dysfunction and chaos being led by the most extreme in their party.”
Pettersen invited Republicans who may feel unhappy with the state of their party to participate too. “We have plenty of Republicans in our life who do not reflect the extremists that we see on TV, the Freedom Caucus in Washington, and they also feel completely left behind and alienated,” continued Pettersen. “And we want you to join us.”
Pettersen emphasized the long-term impacts of this dysfunction, such as the decline in respect the rest of the world has for the U.S. and distrust that this country may not pay its bills. She also mentioned the continuing war in Ukraine, asserting that if we fail to deliver much-needed funding to support their fight against Russian invaders, Russia will win, which would mean “long-term catastrophe.”
In light of his recent comments about encouraging Russia to attack NATO members, this catastrophe would be especially dire if Trump is elected in November, explained Pettersen.
Pettersen concluded with a story about an opportunity she received to speak with former President Barack Obama, where she raised concerns about the upcoming election. Pettersen got her start as an organizer for Obama in 2008 and was the inspiration for her to start her career in politics.
According to Pettersen, Obama responded that it would take everyone with shared values to stand up and work together to ensure Trump is not the next president.
“I look forward to working alongside you in the upcoming election, making sure that we keep this seat, making sure we pass the ballot measure to protect reproductive freedom here in Colorado, and most importantly that we continue to have a democracy for my kid and for the next generation,” concluded Pettersen.
Pettersen then introduced former Representative Ed Perlmutter, who held the seat in the district before Chaffee County was added.
Former U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter speaks at the Chaffee County Democrats fundraiser about his successor Brittany Pettersen. Photo by Carly Winchell
To start his speech, Perlmutter emphasized the beauty of the area, telling an amusing anecdote about getting into a text disagreement, during the rules committee no less, with a representative from coastal Oregon about who had the most beautiful district. Each attempted to one-up the other with evidence.
She sent a picture of the coastline, and Perlmutter’s submission was a picture of the Collegiate Peaks.
“Beyond the beauty of where you live, is the beauty of the people, and that’s why we do what we do. This is about the future,” said Perlmutter.
Perlmutter then praised Pettersen as one of the best representatives in the country.
The pair got stranded for 11 hours in an airport together while traveling for the event, and Perlmutter said he was impressed by her ability to keep a level head in a stressful situation. “I’m glad she’s representing me because she’s a thinker. She’s calm. She’s cool. She understands this stuff, and her heart is here with all of you, to represent you,” said Perlmutter.
Perlmutter also offered up some advice to the candidates in the room. “You never pass a Girl Scout stand, that, and lemonade stands … You just always have to buy.”
Perlmutter described walking around town and seeing the people of Chaffee County. “Everybody is just so outdoorsy, it’s why you’re here. We want to keep it that way. We want a democracy, so we all have a choice in our future.”
“And if we got Donald Trump, we ain’t gonna have a choice,” asserted Perlmutter.
Perlmutter also addressed concerns about the election and Biden’s age, asserting the current president isn’t too old, he’s experienced. “What the future is about, it’s not him. It’s about what happens with him as the president,” said Perlmutter.
Perlmutter listed a variety of accomplishments of the current administration, such as the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Chips and Science Act, and the Infrastructure Bill.
Perlmutter also commended the Chaffee County Democrats’ platform, which is listed on their website.
Chaffee County Democrats table setting. Photo by Carly Winchell
“For a Democrat, it’s about as complete and solid and thorough as anything I could ever support. On education on the environment, on energy, on the economy. You name it, you guys have thought about it and you’ve put it in a very succinct fashion. That’s the future, what we’re going to do about those things.”
The former representative emphasized the need for everyone to pitch in during this election season and that nobody should take any race for granted, from the County Commissioner to the president. “It’s everybody working, walking, knocking, talking.”
“We’ve got work to do, we can’t rest on our laurels, and I know Chaffee County won’t do that,” concluded Perlmutter.
Several elections are coming up this year, including the March 5 presidential primary, April 2 municipal elections in Buena Vista and Poncha Springs, and the November 5 general election, which will include elections for Chaffee County Commissioners, U.S. Representative for District 7, and U.S. President.
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