Montezuma County Republicans will hold the party’s general assembly Friday in Cortez to vote candidates onto the June 28 primary ballot.
The event will take place at 6 p.m. at the County Annex, 107 N. Chestnut St.
“We’re looking forward to a good turn out, candidates will speak and there will some good information provided,” said Montezuma County Republican Chairman Allen Maez.
Republican Gregory Moore, who is running for U.S. Senate against Democrat Michael Bennet, will speak. Also Republican Shelli Shaw, who is running against incumbent Democrat Barbara McLachlan for Colorado House District 59, will give a speech. Because of redistricting, House District 59 now includes a portion of Montezuma County.
During the party caucus March 1, the 12 precincts throughout the county elected delegates to attend the general assembly and voted in precinct co-chairs. Up to 182 delegates plus alternates will attend the general assembly.
At the assembly the delegates will vote for local candidates to make the Republican primary ballot. Candidates must receive 33% of the delegate vote to make the ballot, Maez said.
To date, there are two contested races in Montezuma County.
For the District 1 County Commissioner race, Republican incumbent Jim Candelaria faces Republican challengers Tim Lanier and Liz Tozer.
For the District 3 County Commissioner race, Republican incumbent Gerald Koppenhafer faces Republican challenger Blake Mitchell.
Several local county offices are up for election, and so far, Republican incumbents have no challengers. They include Sheriff Steve Nowlin, Clerk and Recorder Kim Percell, Treasurer Ellen Black, and Coroner George Deavers. Unafilliated Assessor Leslie Bugg is also running unopposed.
All candidates seek delegate votes to make the primary ballot. If a candidate does not make the 33% delegate vote threshold, they can still petition onto the primary ballot.
Local candidates will give speeches, and candidate letters will be read. Party resolutions passed at the caucuses will be discussed and voted on to advance to the state assembly.
The general assembly will consider multiple resolutions, Maez said, including on election integrity, preventing fraudulent voting machines and term limits. To advance for consideration by the state party, resolutions must have a majority vote at the county level.
