November 04, 2011 11:09 PM UTC

Kerr Upset By Neville at SD-22 Vacancy Committee

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• by: redstateblues

( – promoted by c rork)

POLS UPDATE: From the gist of Luning’s reports below, as well as our own sources today, Rep. Jim Kerr essentially got ambushed by the “Tea Party” last night, and all the things we’ve been talking about for months now as flash points within the GOP were on display. Jim Kerr was attacked for his vote in favor of “AmyCare.” He was attacked by the “NRA is for wussies” Rocky Mountain Gun Owners over some obscure bill in 2006 that just about every Republican voted for. Kerr’s victorious opponent Tim Neville was even endorsed by Tom Tancredo. More or less every symptom of the Colorado GOP’s post-2010 hard right insurgency.

Original post follows.

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Fireworks were flying last night in southern Jeffco as a tense vacancy committee election between current HD-28 Rep. Jim Kerr and upstart education privatization advocate Tim Neville ended with Kerr, backed by establishment Republicans like District Attorney Scott Storey, losing by two votes to Neville–endorsed by none other than Tom Tancredo and other far-right interests.

The Colorado Statesman‘s Ernest Luning tweeted what can only be described as a full-on Republican v. Republican feeding frenzy:

10:47 PM:

Hard not to think of recount scene in the movie Election during #SD22 vacancy recount. No Mr. McAllister, though. #coleg #copols #tracyflick

9:13 PM:

Though Jeffco DA Storey protested, Colo GOP chair Ryan Call says rules were followed in #SD22 vacancy appt of Tim Neville #coleg #copols

9:04 PM:

Big ruckus at #SD22 vacancy after Tim Neville beats Rep Jim Kerr 60-58 votes, Kerr backer Storey calls it “an illegal mtg” #coleg #copols

Full blow-by-blow tweet-by-tweet timeline below the fold:

9:01 PM:

Jeffco DA Scott Storey challenges #SD22 results, says call didn’t go to all vacancy comm members, but Neville named winner. #coleg #copols

8:35 PM:

GOP official sez it’s unlikely there’ll be #SD22 primary challenge at assembly but not to rule it out, it’s just 3 mos away #copols #coleg

8:31 PM:

To be clear, a recount is not unusual and was expected if #SD22 vacancy vote was close, and it’s about as close as can be. #coleg #copols

8:13 PM:

Neville: 60 votes, J Kerr: 58 votes for #SD22 vacancy; Kerr has asked for a supervised recount. #coleg #copols

7:44 PM:

No surprise nominations, so it’s Kerr v Neville for #SD22 vacancy to replace Mike Kopp. Voting now under way. #copols #coleg

7:43 PM:

At #SD22 vacancy, Tim Neville sez he’ll pass right to work law, end Hick’s “sanctuary city” policy, oppose all tax increases #coleg #copols

7:36 PM:

Tim Neville nominated for #SD22 now, backed by conservative state Sens, @ttancredo “won’t waver in his principles” #coleg #copols

7:33 PM:

Jim Kerr accepts #SD22 nom, sez backed SB200 health exchange law to protect state’s rights, not implement #Obamacare. #coleg #copols

7:25 PM:

#Jeffco DA Scott Storey nominating Jim Kerr for #SD22 vacancy. Sez Dems will target seat, need proven campaigner to defend it #coleg #copols

18 hours ago

7:01 PM

Packed house at #SD22 vacancy mtg in Ken Caryl to replace Sen Mike Kopp. #coleg #copols