On Tuesday night, after a long day working as a Poll Lead, I’m going to watch the results at the Boulder County Dems party. Living in Colorado I would, of course, like to see the Dem candidates from our state win their races – especially Mark Udall candidate for a U.S. Senate seat and the current State Senator for my district, Brandon Shaffer, a fine a public servant as any state can have.
But there are a few candidates and ballot initiatives outside the state that I’ll be watching that night. These are races that for the reasons stated below, mean I’ll be rooting extra hard for them to be triumphant. They are:
Gary Trauner - He is running again for the sole Congressional seat in Wyoming, against Cynthia Lummis. In 2006 he lost by the slimmest of margins to Barbara Cubin. This year he is at it again, traveling all over this state (where the next town can be an hour away in some areas) and knocking on as many doors as he can reach. His reason for running, as stated in his bio is: "I want to ensure that Wyoming and the United States are prosperous and secure. I want to ensure that we are committed to democracy and our constitution, that we respect and celebrate our diversity, that we provide equal opportunity for all and that we define ourselves not only by our economic prosperity, but by the quality of our lives and how we interact with others."
Al Franken – Certainly he is certainly one of the most high profile candidates in the country. For me I am indebted to Al because of, among other things, his show on Air America. After my despair of the 2004 election I would listen to his broadcast and hear a man who was passionate about the ideals of the Democratic party and who would bring on guests that would enrich my views on progressive issues. In addition, his passion for serving our country, inspired by his good friend Paul Wellstone is something I deeply admire.
No on Prop 8 – Since same-sex marriage passed in California I’m tempted, every time I call my parents who live in that state, to ask them if their nearly 50-year marriage is threatened now that the law was upheld. And of course it’s not. However along comes Proposition 8. On California’s ballot, it would eliminate same-sex marriage. This is another in the long string of wedge issue initiatives that the right has got on state ballots across the country. However, in a Los Angeles Times editorial against it: "Proposition 8... would eliminate the fundamental right to same-sex marriage. The very act of denying gay and lesbian couples the right to marry – traditionally the highest legal and societal recognition of a loving commitment – by definition relegates them and their relationship to second class status."
And now my question to all of you is – what are your top three races you are particularly rooting for on Election Night? Of course we’ll be ecstatic when the Presidential race gets called for Obama (knock on virtual wood) but I’d like to hear about some other downballot races you’ve got your eye on.