Montezuma County Democrats host virtual caucus and general assembly

Montezuma County Democrats met by Zoom Saturday for the 2022 party caucus and general assembly.

The caucus began with about 50 participants at 9 a.m., and the general assembly with 34 delegates at 10:45 a.m. The assembly adjourned about 2 p.m.

The Montezuma County Democrats did not discuss and vote on resolutions at caucus and assembly as in previous years. The Democratic Platform Committee published the party’s statements in a drafted document and will accept additional amendments from individuals and counties with a digital submission form.

At the caucus, delegates are elected to represent their constituents at the general assembly. Any eligible caucus voter present for the duration of caucus Saturday could elect to be a delegate at assembly.

Voters were given the opportunity to sign up to be election judges.

Precinct organizers also were chosen. Montezuma County gained a precinct with redistricting, for a total of 12. The Democrat precinct organizers are as follows:

Residents interested in filling vacancies can email party chair Mary Dodd at chair@montezumadems.org.

At the general assembly, delegates voted in preference polls for U.S. Senate, Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District and House Districts 58 and 59, as well as for delegates to attend assemblies for each of those offices. The assemblies also will be held virtually via Zoom.

Candidates were asked to submit two-minute videos for delegates to view.

No Democrats are running for county positions.

Montezuma County is allotted 13 delegates to the U.S. Senate assembly. Based on preferential poll votes, candidate Karin Breslin was elected three delegates; Michael Bennett, 10; and Dan Chaplin, zero.

The Colorado Democratic Party State Assembly is April 9 at 9 a.m.

For the 3rd Congressional District assembly, Montezuma County is allotted 13 delegates. Debora Lynn Burnett was elected five delegates; Colin Wilhelm, zero; Donald Valdez, four; Kellie Rhodes, zero; Root Routledge, zero; and Soledad Sandoval, four.

The 3rd Congressional district assembly is April 5 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Barbara McClachlan, the only Democratic candidate for House District 59, will receive the allotted 11 delegates from Montezuma County.

The House District 59 assembly is April 8 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Because House District 58 did not have a candidate, the county elected two delegates to that district’s assembly.

The House District 58 assembly is April 8 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Primary elections are June 28.

Montezuma County Democrats upped the security for the meeting with limited registration and chat functions after someone posted videos of child sex abuse in a Colorado Democrat forum on Feb. 26.

“We’re just so happy that everyone’s willing to stick with us and do it this way, because we know it’s a little bit awkward – and it doesn’t seem as friendly and social – but we promise we’ll be getting together,” Dodd said at the end of caucus.

The Democrats plan to have a booth at the Montezuma Four States Ag Expo.

Montezuma County Republicans met Tuesday to conduct caucuses and will host their general assembly March 11 at the Montezuma County Annex at 6 p.m.