The Colorado State Open Thread is devoted to our square(ish) state and those who care about it. You can participate in this whether you live here or not, whether you care about Colorado or not, or whether you are human or not. I am concerned about Colorado on this beautiful Monday because of the collection of candidates running for the US House of Representatives seat in Colorado’s 4th district, currently held by Ken Buck (RINO, according to multiple sources). There was a debate last week held between nine of the ten candidates for the seat and since this seat represents the eastern half (approximately) of Colorado and it is heavily Republican, it is very likely that one of these candidates will win the seat in November’s election and thus represent Colorado to the nation and the world in the US Congress in Washington. This edition of the Colorado State Open Thread was first highlighted on Daily Kos last Friday in the story I have 'friends at Fox News' and the arrest would be national news. by OddWing.
From Colorado Politics.com:
The 4th CD primary includes U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, who announced earlier this month that she planned to move across the state to the new district rather than seek a third term in the more competitive Western Slope-based 3rd Congressional District the Silt Republican represents.
One of her rivals is former state House Minority Leader Mike Lynch, a Wellington Republican, who resigned his legislative leadership position this week in response to revelations about his 2022 arrest on drunken driving and gun charges.
Others in the 10-candidate field are state Rep. Richard Holtorf, Logan County Commissioner Jerry Sonnenberg, former state Sen. Ted Harvey, radio host Deborah Flora, Weld County Council member Trent Leisy, former congressional nominee Peter Yu, activist Justin Schreiber and former top congressional aide Chris Phelen.
During the debate in Fort Lupton for the 4th Congressional District, a question was raised of the participants as to how many have been arrested.
From Colorado Public Radio:
Six of the nine candidates — Boebert, Leisy, Holtorf, Phelan, Sonnenberg, and Lynch — raised their hands to indicate they had been arrested at some point in their lives.
“I've been arrested twice and every time it was for fighting because somebody needed a little attitude adjustment,” said Holtorf. “I told my Dad both times that I was winning until the cops showed up.”
Congresswoman Boebert said she was arrested after missing a court date for a careless driving charge, but did not mention several earlier arrests on minor charges.
The audience, in turn, cheered them on.
Current Congresswoman Lauren Boebert was one who high-fived Mike Lynch on stage when they were cheered for raising their hands. She has three arrests and one summons on her rap sheet with the police, though none are considered “major” by the reporting authorities to the Denver Post. Minority House leader for the Republicans Mike Lynch just stepped down as the Minority leader for the Republicans because when he ran for that position, he didn’t bother telling anyone that he was on probation for driving under the influence while also carrying a gun. When he revealed the gun to the officer who stopped him, he apparently scared the officer. Had he been any color other than white, I hope he would have been treated in the same respectful manner as he was that night. Trent Leisy was arrested after a domestic abuse altercation.
The cheering and applause for those who admitted having been arrested is disgusting from people asking to lead us in creating the highest levels of law in the land. People who supposedly are in the party of “Law and Order” and “Back the Blue” (at least until they stand in the US Capital resisting an insurrection). I do understand that people get arrested for many different things — some have been arrested for being at peaceful protests, or for camping in a public park, or some other relatively peaceful or innocent act. Sometimes it’s an act of civil disobedience. The charges we know about, from these candidates, were not peaceful nor were they victimless. And yet, if the odds hold, one of these candidates is likely to be the next Congressman for CD4.
For your comments, the floor is yours...