Delegates to the Republican El Paso County Assembly from Falcon and the Black Forest area only voted in one race this year. But that vote may have decided who will take over the House District 20 seat being vacated by Lynn Hefley.In a county where 67 percent of all voters are Republican, according to the county elections department, local elections are often decided at the El Paso County GOP Assembly. According to party rules, a candidate must receive at least 30 percent of the votes at the general assembly in order to have their name placed on the ballot.Steve Gresh and Amy Stephens were both seeking the House District 20 seat, but Gresh failed to receive the required amount of votes, leaving Stephens the sole Republican on the ballot, unless someone is successful in by-passing the assembly process by petitioning to have their name on the ballot.But the Republican Assembly also gave delegates an opportunity to speak to Marc Holtzman and Bob Beauprez, the two GOP candidates for governor, plus six GOP candidates running for the Fifth District U.S. Congressional seat presently held by Joel Hefley.Most delegates at conventions wear stickers declaring support of certain candidates. But this year, there were a number of “undecided” delegates. James Taylor, a delegate living in the Black Forest, said getting to meet and talk to the candidates face to face was important because he is having a hard time differentiating between the candidates. Taylor said higher education and state infrastructure are two important issues for him. He said he is only hearing political rhetoric and hopes candidates will focus on more important issues as the campaign progresses.Taylor said he is afraid our state and national education system is not preparing people to compete in the global economy. And he believes Colorado’s infrastructure is lagging behind to the point where technically educated people may no longer be attracted to Colorado. He pointed to the transportation system and broadband access as areas that need improvement.One undecided delegate, who didn’t want his name used because he would be besieged by phone calls from candidates, said it was difficult for him to decide whom to support for U.S. Congress because, in his words, “the candidates seem like clones,” all supporting the same general Republican values.The field of candidates will narrow when GOP delegates meet on May 19 at the Sheraton Hotel in Colorado Springs to determine who will win spots on the primary ballot. The following day, delegates to the state convention will vote for their favorite GOP gubernatorial candidate at the World Arena.
