One of the few post-election bright spots for Republicans was the defeat of Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction. He was slated to become the next Speaker of the House but lost to political newcomer Laura Bradford by just 583 votes. Bradford heavily criticized Buescher for his support of Gov. Bill Ritter's mill levy tax increase, ruled unconstitutional in district court and now being considered by the Colorado Supreme Court.
COLORADO'S FRONTPAGE
Face the State
Content Index: 2008 Colorado State Legislative Races
Follow this topic by RSSRelated Topics: Colorado Elections, Colorado's 2008 U.S. Senate Race, General Assembly, State Government
Segment 2 - Sen. Josh Penry on the coming legislative session
Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, the newly-elected Senate minority leader, reacts to the 2008 election and talks about his legislative agenda.
Play audio - 10:06 minutes
More >
Video: Bernie Buescher's loss is the gift that keeps on giving
November 26, 2008Dem Hanfling spices up Denver political scene
A Face the State Staff Report
November 25, 2008
With a touch of funk, a lot of spunk, and allies on both sides of the political aisle, Denver's Josh Hanfling is gunning for his second political bid in less than a year. And while he once again finds himself a longshot, he's managing to turn a lot of heads.
Senate District 26 Republican candidate concedes but recount inevitable
A Face the State Staff Report
November 20, 2008Sixteen days after the general election, Republican candidate Lauri Clapp has announced she has conceded her race for Senate District 26 to Democrat Linda Newell.
"The Buzz" on Newstalk 1310 KFKA, 11/10 - Bill Ritter is 'not the Grinch'?
November 11, 2008
Face The State managing editor Brad Jones visits with Newstalk 1310 KFKA's Amy Oliver. Up for discussion: The Denver Post gives Face The State a shout-out in its Sunday edition, Gov. Bill Ritter plays Santa Claus and gives state employees an extra day off, and Rep. Bernie Buescher finds himself looking for a new job.
Groff, Carroll selections give hope to school choice supporters
A Face the State Staff Report
November 11, 2008
This year's newly minted state House and Senate Democrat leaders have given school choice supporters a reason to be cautiously optimistic, as the two men slated to lead their respective chambers have often split with their union-backed party to support school choice.
Dave Rose pulls back his concession
November 9, 2008While most Democrats were celebrating victory Tuesday night, House District 30 candidate Dave Rose was not among them after conceding his race to Republican Kevin Priola. By Wednesday morning, however, he rescinded his concession.
Rose told the Brighton Standard Blade that the flip-flopping was justified, proclaiming "I'm not by any means ready to concede."
Segment 3 - Legislative leaders
Just two days after the general election, Colorado's lawmakers gather to elect leaders for the coming session of the General Assembly. With the unexpected defeat of Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, House Democrats scrambled to choose a new Speaker as he was widely favored for the position. Face The State's Rachel Boxer was on hand for the parties' caucus meetings this week.
Play audio - 6:52 minutes
More >
State Dems & GOP pick new leadership
A Face the State Staff Report
November 7, 2008
Members of the 2009 General Assembly wasted no time as they shifted from election night parties to caucus meetings just 36 hours later, where they picked new leaders to head into January's legislative session.
11/6: Finding the election's silver lining
Republicans looking for a silver lining to Tuesday's election should take a look west, to Grand Junction.
Play audio - 1:30 minutes
More >
Dems shine as Ritter flounders on election night
A Face the State Staff Report
November 5, 2008
While Democrats had much to celebrate Tuesday night, their top state leader, Gov. Bill Ritter, saw a pet ballot measure fail and a key House ally fall in a western slope upset.
Republicans battle wind, taxes at Capitol event
A Face the State Staff Report
October 23, 2008
A blistering wind couldn’t keep 13 Republican lawmakers and candidates from gathering on the west steps of the state Capitol in Denver Wednesday, where they joined members of the Colorado Union of Taxpayers to voice their opposition to Referendum O and Amendment 59.
"The Buzz" on Newstalk 1310 KFKA, 10/20 - The SD 19 race, and big union money
October 20, 2008Face The State managing editor Brad Jones visits with Newstalk 1310 KFKA's Amy Oliver. In the race for state Senate in Senate District 19, what are voters to make of recent revelations regarding the Democrat candidate's past? And what impact is a huge infusion of union money having there?
GOP Bus Tour Takes Nothern Colorado, Fast Food Joint By Storm
A Face the State Staff Report
October 17, 2008
Leading Republican lawmakers kicked off a statewide “Save, Don’t Spend!” themed road trip Thursday morning, spreading a message of fiscal responsibility and transparency.
More details on Whitcomb restraining order cases
October 16, 2008Recently acquired public documents provide details about a string of restraining orders taken out against Joe Whitcomb, the Democrat candidate for state Senate District 23 in Broomfield.
Counties left to inform voters of ballot changes
A Face the State Staff Report
October 16, 2008
Armed with little more than a recommendation from the state government, local election officials say they bear the sole responsibility now for easing voter confusion after four proposals were pulled from the ballot at the last minute.
Accusations of bigotry fly at state Senate debate
A Face the State Staff Report
October 15, 2008
A senate debate held at a retirement home in southeast Denver turned into a game of “he said, she said” Tuesday afternoon.
New video ad from Nick Kly, Kleb, it's Kliebenstein!
October 15, 2008
Like a breath of fresh air, a new video web advertisement released today by Nick Kliebenstein takes a self-deprecating approach as the Broomfield Republican pokes fun at his own name, while also hitting some serious high notes by highlighting his plans to help address a faltering state economy.
Libertarian Drops Out of SD 28 Race, Endorses GOP Candidate
A Face the State Staff Report
October 13, 2008In a surprise move, the Libertarian candidate for Senate District 28 has stepped aside and is urging his supporters and undecided voters to rally behind the Republican candidate, Sueyuna Duthie.
Voters turn to opinion leaders, groups for guidance on lengthy ballot
A Face the State Staff Report
October 9, 2008Due to the massive length of this year’s ballot, voters are now leaning on elected officials and third-party voter guides to help them navigate the election.
10/6: Hasan gets a boost in HD 56
Would you believe it? The Vail Daily – Yes, in Vail, Colorado – just endorsed a Republican for state House.
Play audio - 1:30 minutes
More >
Hasan gets a helping hand from an unlikely place: The Vail Daily
A Face the State Staff Report
October 6, 2008
In an unexpected move, Eagle County’s daily newspaper has endorsed Republican Ali Hasan as its choice for the region's state House representative.
Dems sweating over mountain house race
A Face the State Staff Report
September 23, 2008With interest piqued and independent political money pouring in, a Colorado House District normally known more for its skiing than its politics is preparing for a nail biter of an election.
9/25: A small-business identity crisis
Do chambers of commerce really stand up for the best interest of small businesses?
Play audio - 1:30 minutes
More >
Sharf takes to the airwaves (his own) to promote state house bid
September 22, 2008Kudos to our favorite underdog. After facing a bruising primary race, Denver Republican - yes, there are a few of them - Joshua Sharf is heading full force toward his general election match up in House District 6, where just a quarter of the district's voters are Republican (compared to 41 percent who are Democrats and 33 percent who are unaffiliated).
GJ chamber picks Bradford over Buescher
A Face the State Staff Report
September 20, 2008
The Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce endorsed Republican challenger Laura Bradford for House District 55 Thursday, a decision she hopes will set a precedent across the state. Bradford is up against Rep. Bernie Buescher, who as chairman of the powerful Joint Budget Committee is one of Colorado’s most powerful Democrats.
9/19: Campaign 'reform' ushers in big money
Who’s really campaigning for your vote? The candidates on the ballot, or the shadowy groups bombarding your mailbox?
Play audio - 1:30 minutes
More >
Capitol Hill rumor mill
September 18, 2008As Election Day approaches the Capitol rumor mill is churning at twice its normal rate, and we are working overtime just to keep up.
The biggest topics of speculation: Who will be Colorado’s next Secretary of State? Who will take over for term-limited leadership in the General Assembly? And most exciting, of course, the secret political dealings behind this year’s ballot initiatives.
9/18: Buescher as Batman
Will Representative Bernie Buescher have a cameo in the next Batman movie?
Play audio - 1:30 minutes
More >
Slideshow: North Metro Senate candidates debate
A Face the State Staff Report
September 16, 2008
An older crowd filled the stadium seats of the Thornton City Council Chambers Monday night to hear candidates for four contested state Senate seats outline how they would each best serve their constituents' needs.