Democrats eye elective offices

By Dan MacArthur
Correspondent

Larimer County Democrats are gearing up for a fierce fight to retain their sole state senate seat while assembling a slate of candidates for the county commissioner and state representative races.

The most interest centers around the Senate District 14 seat now held by Peggy Reeves. A Fort Collins real estate broker, the two-term senator is prevented from running again because of term limits.

"That's going to be very hotly contested" said Larimer County Democratic Party Chair Betsy Markey. "There will be a lot of money put into that race on both sides."

Besides being an open seat with no opposition from an incumbent, both parties have targeted their attention on the race because of the delicate balance of power in the state senate. Republicans now hold an 18-17 majority in the 35-member body and want to broaden or at least maintain it. Democrats must retain the SD 14 seat while winning another to regain the majority they previously enjoyed.

Fort Collins Mayor Ray Martinez already has filed as a Republican candidate in the race. Markey said Democrats also will field a candidate, although she said no announcement is set yet.

It's the same situation with the race for Larimer County commissioner. While several potential candidates are interested in seeking the District 2 seat now held by Republican Tom Bender, she said the party likely will avoid a primary and field only one candidate.

And, Markey said, she was aware of one man in the southern part of the county considering a run for the District 3 seat now held by Republican Glenn Gibson.

Neither Bender nor Gibson has yet announced whether they will seek re-election.

In House District 49, Democrat Ernest Cienfuegos-Baca is taking on incumbent Republican Kevin Lundberg.

But Markey said Democrats will have difficulty fielding a candidate for the "tough" District 51 seat held by Jim Welker, who was appointed to replace Tim Fritz.

Incumbent Republican Bob McCluskey will be challenged in his bid for re-election in House District 52, according to Markey. "Two guys are interested in running," she said. "There may be a primary."

Incumbent Democrat Angie Paccione will face competition in her bid for re-election in House District 53. "We believe in having a candidate for every elective office," said Larimer County Republican Party Chair Nancy Hunter.

Party caucuses are set for April 13, followed by local primaries on Aug. 10.