In looking at the race for governor this year, we’ve come to it with a simple lens. As we believe Colorado has approached, if not nirvana, at least a working arrangement by virtue of being purple – that is, having fairly equal representation of liberal and conservative concerns – under the moderate leadership of Gov. John Hickenlooper, we have looked for the candidate who might most resemble him.
Walker Stapleton, who has been state treasurer for the last eight years, has vowed that his governorship “would be staying the course.” He told us he would “absolutely” defend the state’s progress on curbing methane emissions, its civil rights statutes and commission, and recreational marijuana. He also vows to take “a bipartisan approach” to energy and be “a governor who will hold industry accountable.” On immigration, he said, “Every immigrant has value.”
Stapleton also said he could not think of anything that government can do better than the private sector. We are skeptical, but at the same time he has been right to argue that the Public Employee’s Retirement Association is setting its rate of return unrealistically high.
This poses a significant contrast with Jared Polis, a wealthy entrepreneur who has represented Boulder in Congress.
Polis’ big initiatives are to move the state to 100 percent renewable power production by 2040 and toward single-payer universal health care.
These are bold proposals. Whether they are doable by one Democrat in one state is another question, but we take no issue with ambition for the future. And we note that Polis sees many big areas where government can and should play a key role.
Still, Polis’ great wealth and how he uses it gives us pause. He spent $11.3 million on his primary this year, crushing moderates. He has spent $20 million of his own money in the general election, setting another record for big money in state politics. But we would like to think our votes are not for sale – and neither is Colorado.
We endorse Walker Stapleton for governor.
One-term incumbent state Rep. Marc Catlin of Montrose knows agriculture and water. He farms and was the manager of the Upper Uncompahgre Valley Water Users. He has worked in real estate and ag lending, has a degree in business and is a member of the state House’s agriculture, livestock and natural resources committee.
Catlin is fearful of the Front Range and its expected demand for more water and says it should be using less; he also advocates for more water storage.
Democratic challenger Seth Cagin of Telluride is campaigning on broader issues and with greater urgency. Health care access and costs are pressing, he says. He also fears the loss of ag land and says it is critical that the state come up with a way to fund its water plan. He supports new taxes for education, which Catlin opposes.
We like Cagin for his broader views, but we recognize that the 58th is heavily Republican, and that the Legislature needs representatives who work in agriculture and water. Catlin would ensure the 58th will continue to have someone with those skills.
We endorse Seth Cagin.
