DENVER – A 27-year-old recent law school graduate is hoping to pull off a feat – knock incumbent Scott Tipton out in a Republican primary in the 3rd Congressional District.
But Alex Beinstein is facing an uphill battle ahead of the June 28 primary, despite making the ballot with 40 percent of the delegate vote at the April district assembly.
Tipton, 59, is well-established, with powerful supporters along the sprawling district, which includes most of the Western Slope and southern portions of the Eastern Plains.
Tipton has fought for rural issues, including protecting farmers and ranchers from federal regulations – such as a water rule that aims to expand oversight over smaller bodies of water – and holding the Environmental Protection Agency accountable in the wake of last year’s catastrophic Gold King Mine spill.
He also has the advantage of name recognition.
Tipton says of his young aspiring opponent, “We take every election seriously. What differences he’s trying to bring up, people know where we stand on those issues.”
Beinstein has painted Tipton as a politician who is in the hands of big donors, who has lost his way when it comes to the Constitution and preserving conservative values.
He attacked Tipton for supporting the Every Student Succeeds Act last year, which replaced the No Child Left Behind Act, and voting in 2013 for the “Ryan-Murray” federal budget, which was viewed as a spending compromise.
Tipton responded, “As we go down the list, it’s interesting, there seems to be more common ground (with Beinstein).”
Behind the scenes, the Tipton campaign has not given much credence to Beinstein’s long-shot effort. They’ve been looking ahead to the November election, in which Democrat Gail Schwartz has vowed to unseat the third-term congressman.
Schwartz is not facing a primary. She reported raising more than $350,000 since announcing her candidacy on April 8.
Beinstein – with only about $4,060 in reported contributions compared to Tipton’s $487,074 – says voters should not count him out.
He has proved his ability to capture attention in the past, with a University of Chicago community radio show that held interviews with former United Nations ambassador John Bolton, National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Supreme Court historian Jeff Shesol, to name a few.
He lives in his parent’s home in Carbondale, and he has relied on support from family and friends. But Beinstein’s shoestring budget hasn’t stopped him from traveling the district to speak to voters.
“Tipton gives off this impression that if you’re wealthy, he cares about you, but if you’re down on your luck, he doesn’t,” Beinstein said, referring to the high unemployment rate in pockets of the district.
Beinstein supports a tariff to create jobs, as well as decreasing corporate taxes.
Tipton appears to have a sharp focus on jobs.
“Every one of the bills that we’re putting forward try to have a focus on not expanding the imprint of the federal government... and to be able to create those opportunities in the private sector for families to be able to live to their highest and best potential.”
Beinstein has also focused on international issues, specifically the United States’ somewhat friendly relationship with Saudi Arabia, which he believes has led to the growth of violent extremist groups.
“Russia is right to know that Saudi Arabia is the true sponsor of terror,” Beinstein said. “We’re never going to solve the problem of Islamic terror until we go after its funding sources.”
Tipton agrees that terrorism is an important issue, but he said voters in the district are focused on challenges at home.
“The issues that the people are bringing up to me in our congressional district are about their families,” Tipton said. “They’re worried about their jobs, if they have one; they’re worried about getting a job.”
Alex Beinstein
AGE: 27
RESIDENCE: Carbondale
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago; law degree from the University of Main School of Law
POLITICAL BACKGROUND: None
OCCUPATION: Candidate for 3rd Congressional District
FAMILY: Single; two parents; three older sisters
FUNDING: $4,060 in reported contributions
TOP ISSUE: “It’s a combination of the tariff and Saudi Arabia. The tariff is the best way to bring back American jobs ... We have to change our relationship with Saudi Arabia.”
PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE: Supported Marco Rubio; Never supported Donald Trump and is considering writing in a choice for president
ON PRIMARY OPPONENT: “I’ve never seen him (Scott Tipton) do anything that shows he has compassion or a heart for people who are struggling.”
ON RURAL COLORADO: “Education has come up a lot. There’s a lot of people that are furious with Common Core.”
ON ABORTION: “I’m pro-life. I’m not one of these people thank thinks it makes sense to alienate the left with the issue. I believe in state rights.”
IMMIGRATION: “The border needs to be secure... I don’t think amnesty is a guiding principle.”
ON HEALTH CARE REFORM: “You have to be able to buy across state lines ... We need to get away from government waste.”
ON MARIJUANA: “I would respect the voters.”
ON GUN CONTROL: “The Second Amendment... helps protect us from a tyrannical government.”
Scott Tipton
AGE: 59
RESIDENCE: Cortez
EDUCATION: Fort Lewis College
POLITICAL BACKGROUND: Incumbent representative for the 3rd Congressional District; former state representative
OCCUPATION: Small business owner of Mesa Verde Indian Pottery for 30 years
FAMILY: Wife, Jean; two daughters; granddaughter
FUNDING: $487,074 in contributions
TOP ISSUE: “Jobs, our economy, are the big issues that we are hearing through our district.”
PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE: Never endorsed a candidate; supports Donald Trump: “The (Hillary) Clinton perspective and prescription is more government, higher taxes, more regulations.”
ON PRIMARY OPPONENT: “We take every election seriously.”
ON RURAL COLORADO: “We’re going to hold the EPA to the same accountability that private sector businesses would be held to.”
ON ABORTION: Opposes abortion except in cases of rape, incest and the mother’s life.
IMMIGRATION: “We have an administration that will not work with us... We do need to be able to secure our borders.”
ON HEALTH CARE REFORM: “Our premiums are going up to the tune of double digits, our co-pays are up, our deductibles are up, and we were promised that our premiums would go down.”
ON MARIJUANA: “We’re respectful of the vote of the people of Colorado.”
On gun control: “I will support the Second Amendment. These were terrorist attacks, this did not pertain to law-abiding citizens,” referring to recent attacks in Orlando and San Bernardino.
How to vote
Ballots were mailed recently to those affiliated with a party. Unaffiliated voters can affiliate with a party anytime through primary election day on June 28. However, if they wish to receive a mailed ballot, they must affiliate by Monday.
Completed ballots must be received by 7 p.m. June 28, and they can be returned by mail or dropped off at 24-hour drop boxes at:
La Plata County Clerk & Recorder, 98 Everett St., Suite C, Durango.
Bayfield Town Hall, 1199 Bayfield Parkway, Bayfield.
La Plata County Administration Building, 1101 East Second Ave., Durango.
For more information about the ballot, places to vote in person or drop off ballots during limited hours, visit
http://bit.ly/1sxSqz6
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The Herald’s election coverage includes the debate between the Democratic candidates in the district attorney contest and Senate candidate stories that can be found at
durangoherald.com/candidates
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