craigdailypress.com

With a month to go before the Republican Party primary, local candidates are gearing up to make their final push to the voters.

Candidates in the two contested races -- commissioner and sheriff -- are preparing for what will likely be the busiest month of the campaign.

"It's hard work getting elected," said Craig bar owner Tom Mathers, a candidate for county commissioner.

In the Moffat County commissioner race, in which three Republicans and no Democrats or Independents are vying for one open seat, the Aug. 8 primary will determine who will be the next commissioner.

The Republicans running for the commissioners' seat, which Commissioner Darryl Steele is leaving after one term, are Lay buffalo rancher Dan W. Martin, Craig realtor Vicki Burns and Mathers.

In the sheriff's race, two Republicans will square off next month: Undersheriff Jerry Hoberg and Sgt. Tim Jantz. The winner will go up against Cpl. Vic Alton, the only Independent running for office in Moffat County, in November's general election.

Voters also will decide who will be the next county assessor, clerk, coroner and treasurer. In all of those races, the incumbents, all of whom are Republicans, are running unopposed.

For the candidates, the next month will not only be busy, but it will probably be the most expensive of the campaign.

Without any Democrats or Independents in the race, commissioner candidates only have to worry about the next month, not the three months between the primary and the general election.

"I think it makes it a lot easier to be able to focus on one, drop-dead date," Burns said.

Mathers agreed, saying having a shorter campaign period probably saves the candidates money.

But Mathers said it's hard to tell if the money candidates spend on their campaigns has an effect.

"I think, for the most part, it's almost a waste because people already have a pretty good idea of who they're going to vote for," Mathers said. "But you have to play the game."

Candidates have to file their first expense report with the Colorado Secretary of State on July 18.

To vote in August's primaries, voters must be registered by 5 p.m. Monday.

Chief Deputy Clerk and Recorder Lila Herod said there has been a spike in voter registration this week.

"I've had a lot even changing their party," Herod said.

Burns said in Moffat County, where Republican primaries often decide elections, voters who change parties play an important role.

"They can be a determining factor," she said.

Brandon Johansson can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 213, or bjohansson@craigdailypress.com.