Week 18: Big Money in the Sec of State Contest

Dear Colorado Voter,

Yesterday I participated in a Common Cause forum for secretary of state candidates. Several recipients of these weekly emails watched me, the Republican, and one of the Democrats discuss important issues for the job we want. I have requested a link to the forum recording to post on my campaign website's News page.

I was disappointed that the candidate who has raised by far the most money did not show up. Neither did she participate in the March 31st Denver Bar Association forum. She seems to be pulling a Victor Marx, Jena Griswold or a John Hickenlooper – and hoping that, by raising enough money, she can advance to the general election without having to participate in candidate forums.

By the way, most of the donors of that SoS candidate with the huge fundraising haul appear to be from out of state, meaning that they can't vote in Colorado's SoS election.

Colorado Pols' comment on the Big Line about the two leading fundraisers in the SoS contest is that "neither" candidate has "raised much money." Is Colorado Pols comparing SoS – essentially, a "down-ballot" contest – to U.S. senator or governor? Most voters have never heard of any of this year's SoS candidates.

A lot of dedicated election officials prefer just to do their job and not be in the limelight, but, in the U.S., county clerks and secretaries of state are elected positions that appear on partisan primary ballots. I'm thankful for organizations like the League of Women Voters that host candidate forums and educate voters with websites like https://www.vote411.org/ . (I expect Vote411 to include me soon after the primary election results are certified!)

Follow-up from last week – While discussing primary elections, I mentioned that Minnesota "usually has the highest voter turnout of any state." A subscriber to these weekly emails noted, "While Minnesota is exceptional in general-election turnout, it is unspectacular in primary-election turnout. [So] … its high general-election turnout probably isn't due to open primaries." Thanks for the clarification!

Next week will mark the halfway point in this 38-week campaign. Please continue to tell other Colorado voters about my candidacy. Thanks for all of your support and encouragement so far!

With enthusiasm and purpose,

Celeste