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GOP
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About 3 weeks ago, the Michigan Republican Party chose an election denier, Kristina Karamo, to run the party. Ditto Kansas and Idaho. Colorado Republicans apparently thought: "Hey, that looks like a good idea." So this weekend the Colorado Republican Party also picked an election denier as chair. He is Dave Williams, a former three-term state representative from Colorado Springs. He ran for secretary of state last year and lost the Republican primary. He claims that Donald Trump won the 2020 election and that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is a feckless leader. Williams won on the third ballot, after being endorsed by Tina Peters, a super Trumper who has been indicted on seven felony counts of attempting to influence a public servant, criminal impersonation, and other things. Just the kind of person to put you over the top.
Dick Wadhams, a former Colorado GOP leader, was none too happy with this choice. He said that the chairman is the spokesman for the state party and also holds some real power. One thing Williams wants to do is prevent independents from voting in the Republican primary. He also gets to select poll watchers. In his speech, Williams said that the Party can achieve power only if it stops reaching across the aisle and goes on offense, touting its conservative principles. He sounds like a good fit for Colorado—as it was about 30 years ago. As Colorado is now, maybe not so much.
Williams has his work cut out for him. Republicans have not won a major statewide race in Colorado in almost 10 years and their representation in the state legislature is the lowest in history.
For Colorado Democrats, this is probably a good thing. Williams is going to try to get election deniers, conspiracy theorists, and other loonies nominated, making it easy for a bluish state to turn deep blue. For Republicans interested in winning, like Wadhams, maybe not so good, though. (V)