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Vote 2002 Coming to consensus at most newspapers is easy. Most newspapers have an editorial board made up of newspaper bigwigs, perhaps a community member or two, who make the decisions after feigning interest in both major party candidates. The results are as predictable as a sunrise. At Boulder Weekly, it's a little more complicated. Our editorial board believes all candidates for public office merit our attention and consideration and therefore we spend a fair amount of time doing research before considering endorsements. When the board finally sits down to discuss the candidates, we work for consensus-not a simple thing when trying to get a Jewish liberal, a conservative Catholic, a progressive, a Gen-X conservative and a Libertarian to agree. The discussion gets... lively. But from our struggle comes a more balanced result with some thought behind it. Before we come to the endorsements, however, we'd like to make an observation. There has been amazing growth in the Libertarian Party and Libertarian activism in Colorado. The Libertarian Party fronted a candidate for almost every race, unlike the other small parties, and many candidates offer new ideas and refreshing perspectives our board found appealing. For this reason, you'll find a number of Libertarians among those we've endorsed. The Libertarian Party also has the best website, offering information not only on their own candidates, but, in the spirit of public service, their opponents as well (www.lpboulder.org). In addition, Libertarian candidates are more likely to have a website than Democrats or Republicans. In this age of global communication, the lack of a website is incomprehensible. Perhaps accessibility explains some of the Libertarian Party's growth. It's clear that so-called third parties are going to play an increasingly important role in Colorado politics. Our board is happy to be able to offer candidates from two smaller parties our endorsement. We hope our readers will take the time to inform themselves before heading to the polls on Nov. 7. U.S. Senate-This year's U.S. Senate race is like an old western saloon scene. Pick yer poison, pardner. There is incumbent Sen. Wayne Allard (R), whose staunch conservatism makes him an unacceptable candidate to the majority of our board. He oppose abortion rights (which offends most, but not all of our board), and he hasn't met a rancher, miner or timber company he doesn't like. Furthermore, he displays blind support for the U.S. military. Then there's former U.S. attorney Tom Strickland. Strickland might be pro-choice, but his environmental record is abysmal. To make matters worse, this cowboy's big on the failed war against drugs, having locked people up for committing victimless crimes. The Libertarians have fronted Rick Stanley, who ran into trouble with his own party after forwarding racist material as part of his e-mail newsletter and went out of his way to be arrested wearing a gun in order to protest a gun law. Stanley might support personal liberty, opposing the drug war and supporting the right to bear arms, but his words and actions show him to be impulsive and lacking judgment. Neither quality is desirable in a U.S. senator. John Heckman (Concerns of the People) is so conservative he's on the fringe. What's a voter to do? As Jim Hightower says, "If the gods had meant us to vote they'd have given us candidates." With no clear good choice in this race, Boulder Weekly endorses Tom Strickland, the lesser of four evils. 2nd Congressional District-U.S. Rep. Mark Udall has worked hard to remain accessible to his constituents, walking his neighborhood, meeting with activists, and returning phone calls. It would be difficult to look at the politicians who make up Congress and find one more sincerely intent on doing a good job than Mark Udall. He has an excellent record on both environmental and women's issues and recently swam against the tide, voting to oppose President Bush's resolution passed by Congress, to give Bush full authority to wage war on Iraq. Sandy Hume (R) is a worthy candidate, with experience in city and county government. The remaining candidates-Norm Olsen, Erik J. Brauer and Patrick West-have good ideas. But none of Udall's opponents offer a compelling reason to vote Udall out of office. Boulder Weekly without hesitation endorses Mark Udall. 4th Congressional District-State Sen. Stan Matsunaka is a moderate Democrat who favors cutting taxes and tax credits for educational, business, non-profit, transportation, rural, and agricultural purposes. He has offered unique solutions to our health care problems that address the problem without getting bogged down in a debate over socialized medicine. His opponents are either too conservative or too unrealistic for our tastes. Boulder Weekly endorses Stan Matsunaka. Governor-Bill Owens (R) is going to win this race. In debt to the religious right, to Big Agriculture and the mineral extraction industry, Owens will continue to favor these interests over others, and Coloradans will foot the bill. Rollie Health (D) hasn't a prayer of winning, and even if he did, it's a bit disappointing that the Democratic Party couldn't offer a candidate with more compelling ideas. Boulder County resident Ron Forthofer (G) is the only candidate to address the serious issue of health care and campaign finance reform in his campaign, and he received serious consideration. Ralph Shnelvar (L), of Boulder, says he'll work to legalize marijuana, protect the Second Amendment and protect civil liberties, which he feels are under threat since 9/11. He's a highly educated, articulate and principled man with creative ideas. Because Owens will win, this race offers the public a chance to vote for a third party candidate, an act which strengthens third parties. The choice between Forthofer and Shnelvar was difficult. Boulder Weekly endorses Ralph Shnelvar. Secretary of State-Donetta Davidson (R) brought the Secretary of State's office into the electronic age by offering services online. Her opponents-Anthony Martinez (D), David Aitken (L), and Clyde J. Harkins (AC)-give us no reason not to send her back to continue her effort to make state government accessible to Coloradans. Boulder Weekly endorses Donetta Davidson. State Treasurer-Terry Phillips (D) wants to be an activist treasurer who functions independently of the governor. He wants to implement a more conservative investment plan for the state to protect it from changing weather on Wall Street. He also wants to make certain that corporations cease underfunding pensions and pass their burden on to taxpayers. Because our board is intrigued by the idea of an "activist treasurer" and would like to see state investments placed on less precarious footing, Boulder Weekly endorses Terry Phillips. Attorney General-Alison "Sunny" Maynard (G) has walked her talk, taking cases pro bono to protect Colorado's environment including its precious water, from private corporations. If elected she promises to combat state government's propensity to give away the state's resources so that only big business benefits. She also plans to hold polluters accountable to the fullest extent of the law. It's clear Maynard wants to work on behalf of the people of Colorado. Though incumbent Ken Salazar (D) is likely to win this race, Boulder Weekly endorses Alison "Sunny" Maynard. State House District 10-Alice Madden (D) brings a Boulder perspective to a hostile House of Representatives. A compassionate attorney dedicated to civil rights, Madden says she will work to lower health care premiums and expand mass transit service funding. She supports the right of same sex couples to adopt children. Her support for lowering the blood-alcohol limit for drunk driving from .10 percent to .08 disturbs several members of the editorial board, as does her support for mail ballot elections. Judging the whole sum of her work, however, Boulder Weekly enthusiastically endorses Alice Madden. State House District 11-Isaac Davenport (L) believes in tax rebates for parents who send their children to private school. He also suggests a kind of "food stamp" system for those who can't afford health care. During his campaign he paid people begging on street corners $15 to hold up signs that read "Vote Libertarian." His propensity for original thinking earns Isaac Davenport Boulder Weekly's endorsement. State House District 12-Paul Weissmann (D) says balancing the state budget will be his first priority, and he says he'll go line by line to get the job done. He also favors less interference by state government in local public schools, including an end to CSAP testing. His dedication to environmental issues earned him the Sierra Club's Legislator of the Year Award. He also plans to fight anti-labor legislation and create a compassionate welfare system that emphasizes self-sufficiency. For all these reasons, Boulder Weekly endorses Paul Weissmann. State House District 13-Tom Plant (D), owner of Nederland's Acoustic Coffeehouse, knows a thing or two about how to bring people together. During his time as representative of HD 13, Plant has worked to support organic farming, health care for children, and wildfire prevention. He says that if we send him back, he will work to protect funding for schools, higher education, and services for our elderly, poor and disabled against budget cuts that result from a soft economy. Let's send him back. Boulder Weekly endorses Tom Plant. State House District 33-Shawn Mitchell (R) is the incumbent in this race and will likely win. However, we like to think there's always a chance. W. Earl Allen (L) believes state government can do less and that if it does, all of us will have more. He wants poor children to have access to private education. He also wants to limit the size of government overall in Colorado, leaving many decisions to local communities and individuals. Boulder Weekly endorses W. Earl Allen. State Senate District 16- Joan Fitz-Gerald (D) is credited with pioneering a mail ballot election system and with increasing the Jefferson County clerk and recorder's office operating hours while simultaneously operating within the designated budget. As a state senator, she has opposed school vouchers in favor of strong public education. She is also a supporter of abortion rights. She serves as chairwoman of the Business, Labor and Finance Committee and is a member of the Senate Education Committee. Boulder Weekly endorses Joan Fitz-Gerald. County Commissioner-If there was ever a government body in need of change, it is the Board of County Commissioners. With three commissioners who have consistently bullied the public in an effort to control land use, the commission has a bad name throughout the state. Randy Luallin (I) decided to run for Jana Mendez' seat after watching the board mistreat property owners. Luallin believes open space is a great thing and ought to be protected, but he thinks people should come first. Boulder County desperately needs the balance Luallin would bring to the board. Boulder Weekly endorses Randy Luallin. County Clerk-Linda Salas (D) has a long career in municipal service, having held the posts of Erie town clerk, deputy town clerk in Louisville and deputy clerk in the Boulder County clerk and recorder's office. A court expert on election proceedings, she also possesses a solid understanding of data retrieval programs. She wants to take advantage of the county clerk's office to educate voters and increase registration. None of her opponents even come close to her level of experience. Boulder Weekly endorses Linda Salas. County Treasurer-Bob Hullinghorst (D) knows how to handle money. President of an investment business, Hullinghorst is the only candidate for this position with relevant experience. Audrey Bray (L), while presenting a very sexy photo on her website (which asserts the position of county treasurer isn't a sexy one), is a veterinary technician. Tracy Davidson (R) has held a host of jobs, but none directly relevant to handling the county's assets. There's only one choice in this race; fortunately it's a good one. Boulder Weekly endorses Bob Hullinghorst. Do, however, visit Bray's web site! County Sheriff-Boulder Weekly is sad to see Sheriff George Epp go. Ousted by state-imposed term limits, Epp is what every sheriff should be. Fortunately, Joe Pelle (D) plans to follow as closely as possible in Epp's footsteps. He plans to uphold Epp's policy regarding concealed carry permits. And while he doesn't intend to make marijuana enforcement a priority, he feels meth labs pose a significant danger to the community, not only because meth itself is dangerous but because the labs present a serious fire hazard. Makes sense to us. Boulder Weekly endorses Joe Pelle. County Surveyor-James Emory (D) has spent his adult life as a surveyor. A member of the Professional Land Surveyors of Colorado, he understands the importance of land surveying to the county. Boulder Weekly endorses James Emory. County Assesor- Cindy Domenico (D) is a certified appraiser, the highest certification granted by the Colorado Board of Real Estate Appraisers. One of her opponents simply opposes taxes, while the other is a systems analyst. Boulder Weekly endorses Cindy Domenico (D). County Coroner-State-imposed term limits drove Coroner John Meyer out of office. Intended to keep politicians in check, the law has had the unintended impact of forcing even non-political county officials from their posts. Last fall, voters opted to keep county term limits largely because they want to get rid of the current county commissioners. Meyer should still be coroner. If the commissioners had allowed voters to opt some county officials out of term limits, rather than all of them, Meyer wouldn't have this problem. Two fine candidates are running for his position. Both plan to hire Meyer to do the actual forensic work, so it doesn't really matter who wins. Boulder Weekly urges voters to pick either Thomas J. Faure (D) or Scott Replogle (L)-or to vote for neither. RTD District O-Kevin Probst says transportation is the No. 1 problem in Boulder County. A fiscal conservative, Probst would like to expand bus service in Boulder, while reining in RTD's high overhead expenses. He also believes the state should bite the bullet and expand Highway 36 with HOV/HOT lanes. In addition, he wants a cost effectiveness analysis on RTD's $6 billion FASTRACK rail/bus expansion proposal before recommending it to the voters in 2003. A supporter of alternative transportation, Probst isn't one of those candidates who wants to make it so hard to drive that people are forced out of their cars. Boulder Weekly endorses Kevin Probst. Boulder Weekly encourages you to do you own research. Voting is a privilege, one that merits respect. Whether or not you agree with our endorsements, we hope Boulder Weekly readers-a highly informed and intelligent lot-vote in droves on Nov. 7.
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