February 22, 2016 12:29 PM UTC

Sen. Randy Baumgardner Faces Tough SD-8 Rematch

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• by: Colorado Pols

GOP Sen. Randy Baumgardner of Hot Sulphur Springs, often mentioned in this space due to his “dressy Western” appearance at the Capitol and his penchant for similarly rough-hewn politics, is facing a serious challenge once again in 2016 from his 2012 general election opponent, Club 20 board member and Colorado Mountain College teacher Emily Tracy–from a press release today:

Emily Tracy, a mother, child advocate, teacher at Colorado Mountain College, and resident of Breckenridge launched her campaign to run for the Colorado State Senate, District 8 to bring real representation for hardworking Western Slope Communities.

“When Randy Baumgardner votes to cut retirement benefits for our State Patrol Officers, teachers, and snowplow drivers one week, and then votes to give legislators like himself a pay raise the next, it’s quite apparent he’s spent too much time in Denver (Source: SB 15-80, SB 15-288)” said Tracy.

Tracy says she is running to provide real leadership to the Western Slope and to improve our public schools, strengthen the rural economy, and defend our water and natural resources.

“This is an important time for our community, and Senate District 8 needs someone with competence and sound judgment to represent everyday people who work hard and play by the rules. My opponent has failed to do that. If you harbor a sex offender in our community and then persistently vote – in opposition to your own party even – against protecting those victims, (Source: Denver Post 6/16/12, HB 11-1278, SB 14-059, SB 13-220, SB 13-012, HB 13-1271) you’re unfit to serve. That’s just inexcusable.”

…Tracy is running on her record of child advocacy and to bring common sense back to the district. “Our community deserves to have their voice heard. I challenge my opponent to get out of Denver and come back to the Western Slope to talk about the issues. I will debate him anyplace, anywhere, anytime.” [Pols emphasis]

Baumgardner’s win in 2012 was complicated by a major schism within the GOP over ugly attacks by “third party” groups like the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners on Baumgardner’s 2012 primary opponent Jean White. A run for the U.S. Senate in 2014 by Baumgardner ended in a laugh track, and as Tracy notes in her release above, Baumgardner’s now-lengthy record of votes against priorities of his Western Slope constituents leave him more vulnerable today than when he held off Tracy in his last election.

And yes, there’s still the harboring a sex offender thing. Tracy’s got a lot to work with.