Week 33: The Politics of Endorsements and Voter Guides

Dear Colorado Voter,

By now, Colorado’s big Blue Book on ballot measures has arrived in voters’ mailboxes. Various other voter guides cover candidates and/or may include endorsements.

I didn’t realize how much I would appreciate the voter guides that use the candidates’ exact words. A candidate like me with a platform that goes beyond a soundbite doesn’t always get portrayed accurately when the voter guide editors do the writing. As a minor/third-party candidate, I also appreciate the voter guides that treat all candidates equally.

You can share my Week 22 email to give voters an overview of my purpose in running. https://www.celeste4sos.com/post/why-is-celeste-running

Ballots go out on Friday. Third-party candidates aren’t given much of a chance to win and therefore struggle for endorsements. In Colorado statewide races these days, Republicans aren’t given much of a chance either, but because they have an R by their name, they are automatically “serious” candidates.

The Forward Party is trying a new paradigm: run qualified, serious, well-vetted candidates in races that would otherwise be uncompetitive in the general election. We give voters real choices and permission NOT to vote a straight-party ticket, especially for an office that should be nonpartisan, like SoS. Imagine the message Colorado would send the nation by electing me, a nonpartisan-type candidate, as SoS. And in Colorado’s sesquicentennial year, no less!

Some media only report on the major-party candidates. This is a disservice to voters. The media’s response is typically we are “capped by resources.” The end result is that the media are effectively putting their thumb on the scale.

Current (major-party) candidates and elected officials feel bound by party discipline to endorse their party’s nominees. I have received and reported donations from a major-party candidate, activists, and former elected officials, but they aren’t willing to publicly endorse a Forward Party candidate. (Maybe my fight against two party-protection bills passed in 2025 doesn’t help, but I’ll continue to put people and principles above endorsement politics.)

Activist groups understandably want to back a winner who will have power when serving in office. The Democrat is the safest choice for SoS. With President Trump’s approval ratings at an all-time low, Democrats are running against Trump, not necessarily running for the people. Even with me in the race, the Republican doesn’t have a chance, but I’m being called a spoiler nevertheless. I’ve got an uphill climb, but I’m not giving up.

With enthusiasm and purpose,

Celeste