Being the curious type, I searched the Secretary of State’s records to see if anyone has declared that they are running for the two Colorado House Seats that represent Mesa County.
House District 54
When I started my short lived political career, I ran for House District 54 before switching to Senate District 7. Before the candidates were winnowed down to one, the Western Slope Conservative Alliance held a candidates forum, to which only Republican candidates were invited. Not being shy, I attended the forum as an uninvited guest. At that forum, Ray Scott announced that he would be a one term politician. He wanted to get to Denver, sell all of the state’s assets, and then come back to Grand Junction to run his business.
So, it was a bit of a surprise to see that Ray Scott is running for reelection, perhaps he needs more time to sell those assets. He filed his paper work on 11/8/2011, per the Secretary of State’s website. His registered agent is Mark Ashman. He has a war chest of $5,941.34 as of that date, which is when he filed his most recent campaign finance report. Scott must be really busy working at his business at home because he filed that report, which was due on 10/17/2011, almost two weeks late. Any citizen can ask the Secretary of State to investigate that late filing, which would trigger late fees of $50/day. I’m not going to make that request, since it would look like sour grapes coming from me.
No other candidates have filed for House District 54.
House District 55
Even more interesting, as of today nobody has filed papers to be running in House District 55 in 2012 per a candidate search at the Secretary of State’s website. No records came up when I searched for the 2012 race. I then searched the 2010 race, where it is reported that Laura Bradford filed a termination report. I thought she was running. I had a brief meeting with her about a month ago to talk about a local foods bill. At that time she told me that she had plans to introduce a bill that would allow people to bake cakes and cookies at home for sale locally without commercial kitchen requirements. Of course that bill would be introduced in 2012, not 2013.
This could also be a glitch at the Secretary of State’s website. The termination date was 12/14/2010, which was immediately following the last election. From my candidate finance training, I know that a candidate cannot file a termination report until all funds have spent and all loans have been repaid.
Bradford filed a report on 10/8/2011, which was due on 10/17/2011. By the way her registered agent is Duncan McArthur. Unlike Scott, Bradford filed her report a week early. At the time of the report she had $3,083.40 on hand, which is definitely not zero. The candidate is listed as active at the report level. She even recently spent money on “photos for the legislature.” It is a mystery! Is Bradford a stealth candidate? Did Gessler get confused by the vindictive Democratic maps in Mesa County? How can Bradford be both active and terminated at the same time?
If Bradford isn’t running, there will be no representation. No other candidates have filed.
Homework
Committee to Elect Ray Scott
House District 55 2012 Race
House District 55 2010 Race
House District 54
When I started my short lived political career, I ran for House District 54 before switching to Senate District 7. Before the candidates were winnowed down to one, the Western Slope Conservative Alliance held a candidates forum, to which only Republican candidates were invited. Not being shy, I attended the forum as an uninvited guest. At that forum, Ray Scott announced that he would be a one term politician. He wanted to get to Denver, sell all of the state’s assets, and then come back to Grand Junction to run his business.
So, it was a bit of a surprise to see that Ray Scott is running for reelection, perhaps he needs more time to sell those assets. He filed his paper work on 11/8/2011, per the Secretary of State’s website. His registered agent is Mark Ashman. He has a war chest of $5,941.34 as of that date, which is when he filed his most recent campaign finance report. Scott must be really busy working at his business at home because he filed that report, which was due on 10/17/2011, almost two weeks late. Any citizen can ask the Secretary of State to investigate that late filing, which would trigger late fees of $50/day. I’m not going to make that request, since it would look like sour grapes coming from me.
No other candidates have filed for House District 54.
House District 55
Even more interesting, as of today nobody has filed papers to be running in House District 55 in 2012 per a candidate search at the Secretary of State’s website. No records came up when I searched for the 2012 race. I then searched the 2010 race, where it is reported that Laura Bradford filed a termination report. I thought she was running. I had a brief meeting with her about a month ago to talk about a local foods bill. At that time she told me that she had plans to introduce a bill that would allow people to bake cakes and cookies at home for sale locally without commercial kitchen requirements. Of course that bill would be introduced in 2012, not 2013.
This could also be a glitch at the Secretary of State’s website. The termination date was 12/14/2010, which was immediately following the last election. From my candidate finance training, I know that a candidate cannot file a termination report until all funds have spent and all loans have been repaid.
Bradford filed a report on 10/8/2011, which was due on 10/17/2011. By the way her registered agent is Duncan McArthur. Unlike Scott, Bradford filed her report a week early. At the time of the report she had $3,083.40 on hand, which is definitely not zero. The candidate is listed as active at the report level. She even recently spent money on “photos for the legislature.” It is a mystery! Is Bradford a stealth candidate? Did Gessler get confused by the vindictive Democratic maps in Mesa County? How can Bradford be both active and terminated at the same time?
If Bradford isn’t running, there will be no representation. No other candidates have filed.
Homework
Committee to Elect Ray Scott
House District 55 2012 Race
House District 55 2010 Race
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