Rick Langenberg
If you wish to participate in the state’s primary vote, and have not returned your ballot, now is the time to act.
Today (June 25) is the deadline for returning ballots, via the 24/7 secure ballot box setup in Woodland Park, Cripple Creek and Divide, or in person by 7 p.m. Visit the county’s election website for details.
At issue for local Republican voters is a high profile contested race for the Fourth Judicial District Attorney seat, which encompasses the Teller and El Paso County region. Incumbent Michael Allen is seeking a second-term. He is being challenged in the Republican primary by attorney David Willson.
The winner of this race will face Democrat Jeremy Dowell, an attorney who represents Colorado Springs-area children in the juvenile justice system, in the Nov. 5 general election.
For Teller County voters, not many seats are being contested at the primary level.
Unfortunately, due to a redistricting change done a few years ago, Teller and Ute Pass voters can’t partake in the heavily contested and wild 5th Congressional District battle, for a seat being vacated by Doug Lamborn. This race has captured mainstage attention, capped by an unprecedented level of mud-slinging and verbal attacks. There hasn’t been too much love and good-will demonstrated in this Republican contest, pitting Dave Williams, the chair of the state’s GOP Party, against former radio personality Jeff Crank. And on the Democratic arena, veteran Joe Reagan is competing against educator River Gassen.
Although Teller voters can’t vote in this contest, it is one that local leaders are watching closely.
Despite the lack of contested races locally, the primary typically serves as a heavily symbolic gesture for the top Republican or Democratic candidates, setting the stage for this November’s presidential vote that is expected to generate a record turnout. And due to changes approved by Colorado voters, unaffiliated voters can participate in the party primary elections. They just need to decide which primary (Democrat or Republican) they want to participate in
That’s an important change, as by the numbers, even in Teller County, an area heavily dominant by the Republican Party, unaffiliated voters are the biggest elector block.
Both the Republican nominees for the top county commissioner seats, Dan Williams for District 1 and Erik Stone for District 3, face no opponents in the primary or from the Teller Democratic Party.
Also, the top Republican and Democratic candidates for the 7th Congressional District, incumbent Democrat Brittany Pettersen and Republican nominee Seregei Matveyuk, have no opponents in their respective primaries. The same is true for a state senator and representative seat that some Teller voters can cast tallies in.
If you have questions about today’s primary, call 719-689-2951. Results will be posted on our website at mountainjackpot.com and our Facebook page, and in our printed, July 2 edition.
