Buh-Bye: Rep. Jared Wright Drops Re-Election Bid

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by: Colorado Pols

Rep. Jared Wright (R-Fruita).

Just in from the Grand Junction Sentinel's Charles Ashby, Rep. Jared Wright is officially one-and-done:

Rep. Jared Wright is dropping out of his race for re-election, and is instead endorsing his GOP opponent, Yeulin Willett, the freshman legislator announced at a hastily called press conference today.

So ends one of the shorter legislative careers in recent memory, which nearly didn't get off the ground at all after revelations about goldbricking work habits as a Fruita police officer and questionable personal financial decisions almost derailed his election in 2012. Since then, Rep. Wright has been a steadfast member of the "clown car caucus" of less-than-serious far right legislators, whose proposed bills have done much to harm the entire Republican brand on their way to the nearest "kill committee."

Most recently, Rep. Wright's embarrassing negligence with his concealed weapon at the Colorado Capitol has reportedly infuriated a large number of fellow Republicans–unsurprisingly, starting with the many legislators who themselves pack heat under the Gold Dome. Wright's "misplacing" of a loaded pistol in a committee hearing room has cast an unwelcome light on the dubious practice of lawmakers carrying weapons in a public building where the general public–even those with concealed weapons permits of their own–cannot.

Despite what seemed to be some support for Wright as an incumbent, which included a fundraising appearance from Minority Leader Brian DelGrosso, it looks like the plug has finally been pulled. We can tell you that Democrats have entertained the hope of a longshot pickup in this race, owing in addition to Wright's weakness to a good candidate in the form of Palisade vintner Brad Webb. As a result, they might have been the ones pulling most for Wright to win the primary. As an open seat, this district leans heavily Republican, but we expect Webb to campaign vigorously nonetheless.

And we'll have to see who the longsuffering residents of Laura Bradford's former district want next.

14 thoughts on “Buh-Bye: Rep. Jared Wright Drops Re-Election Bid”

Andrew Carnegie says:

March 1, 2014 at 2:12 pm

If this keeps up, the Dems are in trouble.

This is about 3 or 4 good strategic moves by the Republicans in a row.

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1. ct says:
  
  March 1, 2014 at 2:40 pm
  
  What? Its a GOP seat.
  
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  1. Gray in Mountains says:
    
    March 1, 2014 at 2:59 pm
    
    AC got hold of some terrific legal weed
    
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JBJK16 says:

March 1, 2014 at 2:19 pm

Is he running for Senate too? Or Governor?

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ct says:

March 1, 2014 at 3:13 pm

I think the troll doesn't quite get this whole election thing.

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gertie97 says:

March 1, 2014 at 3:39 pm

District 54 is a Republican seat, period. No Democrat has a chance. But the Rs in Mesa County had enough of Wright, and Willet will win comfortably. He won't be in the clown car caucus. Wright's exit is a loss for entertainment, but a real upgrade for Mesa County.

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1. JBJK16 says:
  
  March 1, 2014 at 4:52 pm
  
  Good.
  
  Who is Willet?
  
  No dirt from the airport thing, I trust.
  
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  1. gertie97 says:
    
    March 1, 2014 at 5:15 pm
    
    Yeulin Willet, an attorney with a good-sized Grand Junction law firm now listed as of counsel'' with the firm. No known dirt from the airport. A Delta native, which is an asset since part of District 54 covers western Delta County. An oil-and-gas guy, but that's as basic as breathing for Mesa County Republicans. Not a nut case and apparently quite smart. A real upgrade from Wright. With Wright, Ray Scott and Steve King as the Mesa County legislative delegation, the county has been without representation in Denver for some time. Willet sounds like a real upgrade.
    
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  2. Andrew Carnegie says:
    
    March 1, 2014 at 5:40 pm
    
    Pols had an article on his annoucement last week.
    
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Ralphie says:

March 1, 2014 at 6:13 pm

Be careful what you ask for. His heir apparent is just as loony but without the baggage.

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Diogenesdemar says:

March 2, 2014 at 6:33 am

Strategery: . . .

". . . leaving your loaded pistol (that you weren't supposed to have) unwatched in the Capitol building so that you don't any prospect for running for reelection . . . "

. . . some underpaid dipshit

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1. ct says:
  
  March 2, 2014 at 8:03 am
  
  …during a hearing on getting rid of CCW permits since gun owners are so responsible, esp. the highly trained Peace-like Officer ones…
  
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Half Glass Full says:

March 2, 2014 at 7:58 am

He was a terrific Subway spokesperson back in the day, but since then he's been going steadily downhill.

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Andrew Carnegie says:

March 3, 2014 at 8:08 am

Here is the Republican take with a video of Willett:

http://coloradopeakpolitics.com/2014/03/02/out-and-in-hd54-rep-jared-wright-endorses-republican-opponent-yuelin-willet-on-his-way-out/

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