craigdailypress.com

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter leads Republican challenger Bob Beauprez by nearly nine points, according to polling information released this month by Zogby International and the Wall Street Journal.

Still, Ritter's running mate, Barbara O'Brien, said the ticket isn't resting on its laurels.

"Nobody wins elections these days by nine points," O'Brien said Thursday during a campaign pit stop in Craig. "We're campaigning every day and not taking anything for granted."

The poll indicates Ritter, D-Denver, has 47.5 percent support against Beauprez, R-Arvada, who has 38.9 percent support. The poll has a margin of error of plus/minus 3.9 points.

O'Brien, 55, served as president of the Colorado Children's campaign for 15 years. She was in Craig on Thursday to support Colorado Northwestern Community College's campaign kick-off to renew a 3 mill-levy tax that maintains the Craig campuses' current $1.3 million a year.

Ritter named O'Brien his running mate for lieutenant governor in February.

O'Brien said she and Ritter have had a friendly working relationship in the past in furthering the cause of Colorado youth programs and schools. She said serving with Ritter at the statehouse would allow her to continue working on "issues I'm passionate about."

"(Ritter) is passionate about kids and providing them with a better future," O'Brien said. "This just seemed like the chance of a lifetime."

O'Brien also has served on the Mayor's Leadership Team on Early Education, the Governor's Commission on Children and Families and the National Kids County Steering Committee, and founded and co-chaired the Kids Caucus, a bi-partisan group of state legislators committed to supporting policies that benefit children.

She came to Thursday's CNCC rally to help push a mill levy that college officials say is vital to continuing positive strides made at the school. O'Brien said she's been a long supporter of the community college system.

"We're big boosters of community colleges, and we're trying to lend our support," O'Brien said. "We hope people know how important they are and how they can help education and with economic development."

Joshua Roberts can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 210, or jroberts@craigdailypress.com.