A Face The State Editorial
With just a few weeks left until Republicans in Colorado's 6th Congressional District name their pick to replace the retiring Tom Tancredo, candidate Wil Armstrong has garnered the sought after support of former Senate President John Andrews. With Armstrong locked in a four-way primary, the move by Andrews could translate into crucial votes on August 12th's primary day.
Andrews, who has hosted a Sunday evening KNUS radio show for more than three years, sent an email to supporters, saying, "I wanted you to know that Donna and I marked our ballots for Wil Armstrong. We believe Wil is the strongest candidate in a strong field."
The move follows an Andrews-penned July 20th Denver Post column titled "Congress Could Use Some Fresh Faces," where Andrews originally announced his support for Armstrong.
The 6th CD, represented by the irreverent Tom Tancredo since 1998, now faces a four-way GOP primary between Armstrong, Secretary of State Mike Coffman, as well as state Sens. Ted Harvey and Steve Ward.
In an era when many politicos abstain from making endorsements in heated primaries, the nod by Andrews stands out.
So why did he do it?
All four candidates "have solid resumes, and their conservative credentials differ little. But if I was looking for an impact player, someone who could become on the Hill what John Lynch is for the Broncos, I’d give Armstrong the edge," Andrews wrote in the Post.
But the analysis comes with a twist. While Armstrong is the son of beloved former U.S. Sen. Bill Armstrong, Andrews says he came out in support of Wil because he has real world experience in an era when too many Americans are fed up with a Congress increasingly out of touch with the struggles facing most families and small business owners.
"Wil Armstrong’s three rivals all make the same me-too pitch: 'I’ve legislated,' they say. 'I’ve governed.' They have, and ably so. But his rejoinder, which trumps them in my book, is that 'I’ve created jobs, met payrolls, and innovated in the marketplace.' Local Republicans said in a recent poll they’d rather send an entrepreneur to Congress than a career politico by 85% to 6%," he added.
Business experience is fine and good, but we're more likely to agree with what Andrews about the second part of his analysis.
"The clincher for me is hanging onto the Secretary of State’s office, which Iraq veteran Mike Coffman won narrowly over arch-liberal Ken Gordon just 20 months ago. Conservatives cringe at the thought of Gordon or former Denver Clerk Rosemary Rodriguez being named the state’s chief election officer. We hope Coffman stays put."
Coffman, who previously served as state Treasurer and was previously open and eager about his gubernatorial aspirations, appears to know no end to his political aspirations--even it means his own party will suffer.
As Face The State has learned, Gordon has been overheard stating that he expects to "get the call" from Gov. Bill Ritter, a fellow Democrat, that he will be appointed to serve as Secretary of State should Coffman prevail in his current bid.
Today, Republicans hold just two statewide offices (In addition to Coffman, Colorado's AG John Suthers is also part of the GOP). This, coupled with the fact that liberals appear increasingly emboldened to pursue questionable litigation against the Secretary of State concerning every center-right ballot initiative set to make the ballot, the importance of maintaining divided government cannot be overstated.
While Andrews may back Armstrong because he is the best of a qualified field, our vote is anyone but Coffman. It's clear that all four candidates, while presenting their own appealing attributes, want the seat and would eagerly serve. But only three out of the four won't ensure a loss to their party should they prevail with their congressional aspirations on Election Night.