21/10/2024
A rundown of my thoughts on some of the top races facing the nation, Colorado and Adams County. I’ll skip over the lesser races but those do require your attention as well – don’t vote blindly. See my previous posts on the various ballot issues for my thoughts on those. On to the top six races on my ballot…
United States President. No vote. To say our national political scene is a mess is an understatement. It is a sad testament to this that for the second election in a row, I will not vote for either candidate for President of the United States. Former President Trump did a lot of good while he was in office from controlling immigration to restoring order to the courts to fostering a good economy. However, I cannot and will not turn a blind eye to his behavior at the end of his last term. The election denying and failure to take steps to quell the riots on January 6, 2021 are unforgivable. Further, as I have said from the moment he ran the first time, I question his temperament, even more so now. As for Vice President Harris, as the #2 in the nation, she owns the past four years. During that time, immigration has run unchecked and inflation has soared, both of which have hurt Americans. She has refused to say even one thing that she would do differently and that is alarming. Do we really want four more years of the same? Can we afford it? No and no. Lastly, there is no doubt she is far more left than perhaps any Democrat candidate in history. She has refused to disavow her leftist positions of her first run for president and I suspect those will reemerge if she is elected. In my opinion, neither is fit for the office so, I will wait another four years and hope that by then saner minds will prevail and we will have a real choice at the top of the ticket from both parties.
Representative to the 119th United States Congress - District 8. Vote Gabe Evans. Representative Yadira Caraveo won the new CD8 two years ago. During that time, she has failed to distinguish herself or address the real concerns of her constituents. This follows her time in the Colorado state house where she proved to be quite liberal in her positions. Now, she tries to portray herself as a moderate and tough on immigration but the facts bely that and she has largely been a rubber stamp for President Biden and Nancy Pelosi. Gabe Evans offers a different view, one that aligns closely with the views of more residents of CD8. From the economy to immigration to education, there is much to like in his platform and I believe he should get the nod.
Colorado State Representative - District 31. Vote Heidi Pitchforth. This is a pretty interesting race, not because of Pitchforth but more so because of her Democrat opponent, Jacque Phillips. Phillips distinguished herself during her time on city council for sure – and not in a good way. She was probably the most combative councilmember I have ever seen with an inability to reach middle ground. Her temperament went a long ways to fuel the animosity that still lingers on council today and she simply should not be rewarded with another political position. In researching Pitchforth, I find someone that seems to hold reasonable positions on the issues of concern. More importantly, electing someone with more moderate positions would help keep the state house under control and perhaps limit the liberal policies that have done real harm to this state and its citizens.
Adams County Commissioner - District 1. Shelly McClure. Kind of an odd one here. The name of the Democrat candidate caught my eye, Julie Mullica. Mullica is the wife of State Senator Kyle Mullica, SD24. Oh boy. Has Adams County learned their lessons of decades past when select families ran Adams County and controlled it? I would hope so. Lastly, see my comments below on the District 2 race but, Democrats have had sole control of the Board of Commissioners. It is time to introduce some diversity of thought.
Adams County Commissioner - District 2. No vote. Another interesting race pitting Thornton City Councilmember Kathy Henson against Bernadette Tedesco. I don’t know Henson personally but having watched her theatrics in Thornton City Council meetings, I have not come away impressed. I have wanted a councilmember – any councilmember – to distinguish themselves by stepping above the fray, finding common ground and working for the betterment of the city and its citizens. Henson has not done that and appears to be quite divisive. As for Tedesco, does that name sound familiar? It should. She is running to take over her husband’s seat on the Board of County Commissioners. See what I said above about the District 1 race and the Adams Family. Adams County has always suffered when familial ties between politicians allow a continuous string of elected officials. Sorry, but the Tedesco family has held that seat for 12 years. That is long enough. I won’t be casting a vote in this race as neither candidate deserves the seat.
Adams County Commissioner - District 5. Vote Jim Wood. Democrats have held a unanimous stranglehold on the Board of County Commissioners, to the detriment of citizens. The lack of any real diversity in thought and positions has led to questionable decisions with little, real debate on some of the most important issues the county has faced. It is time for that to change. Wood appears to have the credentials to serve admirably and offer up a differing point of view and one that is much-needed.
