Gibson drops petition drive for primary

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

Larimer County Commissioner Glenn Gibson announced May 19 that he had abandoned a petition drive to place his name on the Republican primary ballot in August.

Gibson, 68, of Loveland is nearing the end of his second four-year term as county commissioner. New commissioners take office in January. At that time the annual salary for the District 3 commissioner seat increases to $87,300. Salaries for elected officials are set by the state legislature.

In his announcement, Gibson said he had not reached his goal of getting 3,000 signatures by May 19. He needed to collect signatures of at least 3,818 registered Republican voters by May 29 to force a primary race with Tom Donnelly, 37, of Loveland, who won the Republican nomination at the county assembly in March. Donnelly is currently the elected Larimer County surveyor, a part-time position.

With Gibson out of the picture, Donnelly can focus on the general election in November. He will face long-time Loveland community organizer and volunteer Roger Hoffmann, 56, who is making a second attempt for the District 3 commissioner seat.

Hoffmann, a Democrat, was defeated four years ago in a run against Gibson. Candidates must live within the district, which includes Loveland, Berthoud and Estes Park. Voting is at large, however.

The District 2 commissioner seat also is up for election this year. Democrat Randy Eubanks, 43, was appointed to the post last year and is seeking election to a full term. A Windsor resident, Eubanks is running against Steven Johnson, 48, of Fort Collins. Johnson currently serves in the Colorado Senate, where he is term-limited in 2010.

Republican District 1 Commissioner Kathay Rennels, 61, of Livermore is in the middle of her third term. Voters have placed a limit of three terms on Larimer County's elected officials.