Ernest Luning of the Colorado Springs Gazette reports on an aisle-crossing endorsement for Democratic CD-3 candidate Diane Mitsch Bush that could have even deeper portent than the significance of a former Republican state house speaker backing a Democrat:
Rifle Republican Russ George, a former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, on Thursday endorsed Diane Mitsch Bush, the Democratic nominee in the 3rd Congressional District.
The announcement comes as a blow to Republican Lauren Boebert, the Rifle restaurant owner and first-time candidate who knocked off five-term U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton in June’s Republican primary…
George is as close to Western Slope royalty as they come. The fourth-generation Rifle native served four terms representing House District 57 in the 1990s.
Russ George is a veteran of the old school of substantially less radical Republicans who were in control of the state up until the party’s hard right turn in the early 2000s–which occurred at the same time that Democrats began their ascent to the political dominance they’ve enjoyed with only a few exceptions to the present day. That Russ George can’t stomach the low-information fringe bombast of CD-3 upstart candidate Lauren “Q*Bert” Boebert hurts her with a segment of Republican voters who, although they didn’t show up in enough numbers to save Rep. Scott Tipton in the primary, are definitely needed if Boebert wants to win the general election.
The other interesting albeit over-the-horizon possibility this endorsement brings up is that Scott Tipton himself may have an interest in running again for his seat in 2022 in the event Boebert loses the election next month. Tipton himself has reportedly been approached about weighing in on the race for his successor, but he hasn’t joined Boebert on the campaign trail. Tipton’s unexpected defeat was a major shock to the GOP establishment in Colorado, and if Boebert can’t hold on to this R+6 seat it’s reasonable to expect Republicans to make a bid in two years for a return to status quo ante “Q*Bert.”
In the short run, there are plenty of voters on the Western Slope who trust Russ George.
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Russ George was one of the last decent Republican office holders in Colorado.
I know, the Q Continuum will label him a Deep State, Swamp Creature or some other pejorative name.
100% this
Poor Qbert. That's gonna leave a mark. Western Slope folks aren't as mobile as people on the Front Range. Plenty of 3rd District residents remember George in the Legislature, and his word still carries weight.
I don't know of a more widely respected Republican in western Colorado. Russell is a good man.
This race is going to come down to Pueblo. Let me tell you – zero people know Russ george in Pueblo.
Outside of Garfield and Rio Blanco – you’re not going to find many who remember Russ george. The active GOPers in GJ consider him to be a rino. DMB should certainly publicize it – but this isn’t anything to pop open a champagne bottle over.
Russell may be a RINO…but Boebert is an imbecile. Sorry, Miguel. You are backing a lame horse.
In contemporary parlance, a RINO is a Republican who's not an actual, literal Nazi. If that describes Mr. George, then good on him.
I will add this though – Lauren has to stand on street corners in Pueblo this month. She’ll seal up the race if she does that. If not, that’s going to hurt her. The entire cd3 likes the personal touch, especially Pueblo – and it’s such a great district to street-corner.
I’d guess that DMB is well aware that Pueblo needs in-person events- but, unlike Boebert, she’s unwilling to jeopardize her own or other people’s health to hold them.
Serious question, Miguel. If Ms. Boebert takes your advice and does some corner standing in Pueblo, will it be helpful to her to strap on her sidearm? I know almost nothing of the Pueblo community.
Duke – always great to hear from you, friend!
I don’t know what the local carry laws are in Pueblo right now – but overall, if allowed – yes! Us Pueblo folks…. we like our guns 🙂
George's endorsement does not stand on its own, it's the tip of an iceberg that goes deep in CD3. DMB has MANY CD3 Republicans quietly endorsing her to their friends around the district. George is the face of that effort.
I agree. I have Republican friends that are struggling over their vote on this one. I think knowing Russ supports Diane could help them decide in her favor.
Bingo. Russell's endorsement gives main street Republicans in the 3rd permission to vote for DMB.
"zero people know Russ George in Pueblo………"
Russ was Director of the Department of Transportation at one time. He also was Director of the Department of Natural Resources, and Director of the then Division of Wildlife within DNR. These are highly visible, statewide, positions.
Seems like someone didn't do their homework.
Not disputing his good history. I’m simply saying – no one in Pueblo knows that. In fact, about 0.00324% of the electorate right now knows who the current director of transportation is (spoiler alert: this tends to be people who watch the public access channel that solely shows footage from nasa).
spoiler alert 2: anyone who knows who the current director of transport is, believe me, isn’t voting for Lauren. My grand point is: RUSS’s endorsement isn’t a big deal. Good guy. But not a big deal.
"no one in Pueblo knows this….." How do you know? How many people in Pueblo have you personally interviewed?
Surely there are some TV spots in the Pueblo market for DMB that have been aired for the last few months (??)
I hope so!