Craig Daily Press / Election 2011

Moffat County GOP announces precinct leaders

Local Republicans prepping for county assembly in March

Moffat County Republicans turned out in droves Feb. 7 for the statewide precinct caucuses, the most grassroots form of the political process in Colorado, organizers said. In addition to participating in a statewide presidential preference poll, caucus participants also elected precinct chairpersons. KC Hume, Moffat County Republican Party chairman, announced the precinct chairs over the weekend. “For the most part, the precinct chairs are the same people,” Hume said. “But, we did get some new additions this year.”

Santorum: Obama trying to allow Iran to have nuke

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum on Thursday accused President Barack Obama of actively seeking ways to allow Iran to gain a nuclear weapon and suggested that the administration had betrayed Israel by publicly disclosing what may be a plan to attack the Muslim nation. Santorum drew connections between the administration's opposition to the Keystone pipeline project, which would bring oil from Canada to U.S. refineries, and American dependency on foreign oil and U.S.-Israel relations. "We're throwing Israel under the bus because we know we're going to be dependent upon OPEC," Santorum said during a speech in Oklahoma City. "We're going to say, 'Oh, Iran, we don't want you to get a nuclear weapon — wink, wink, nod, nod — go ahead, just give us your oil.' Folks, the president of the United States is selling the economic security of the United States down the river right now." The U.S. doesn't purchase oil from Iran but its allies do. Pulling Iranian oil from the world market would wreak havoc on oil prices in the U.S. and elsewhere.

Colorado Republicans united only by Obama dislike

Colorado Republicans were divided on their presidential candidates Tuesday but united by a common conviction that the nation is headed in the wrong direction. In schools, churches and private homes, voters said their concerns were the economy, energy policy and federal spending. But the top worry was distrust of President Barack Obama and unease with the direction of the nation. "I honestly am afraid for our country," said 59-year-old Linda Hatch, who attended her first precinct caucus Tuesday at Columbine High School in Littleton. She supported former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Hatch and her husband, Bill, live in a townhome because they can't sell a house they own in California. Bill Hatch said the last four years have been tough and that he feels a special urgency this year that Republicans get it right.

Romney intensifies fight for social conservatives

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney shifted his focus from the economy to abortion, religious freedom and gay marriage in recent days, part of an intensified effort to win over social conservatives in states voting Tuesday. It didn't work. Republican Rick Santorum, a fierce and vocal opponent of abortion and gay rights, beat the GOP front-runner in Minnesota and Colorado caucuses and won bragging rights for placing first in Missouri's non-binding primary. The victories exposed Romney's longtime struggles to convince cultural conservatives that he's now in line with their beliefs despite his previous support of abortion rights. Before the results were in for Colorado, Romney told supporters in Denver: "This was a good night for Rick Santorum. I want to congratulate Sen. Santorum, but I expect to become the nominee with your help."

Primary to be conducted by mail

The political process in 2009 and 2011 had one thing in common in Moffat County — they were both off-year elections. Lila Herod, Moffat County Clerk & Recorder, said the comparisons between the two end there. The 2009 General Election was conducted by vote center and resulted in a voter turnout rate of about 11 percent throughout the county, Herod said. Two years later, Herod and Stephanie Beckett, Moffat County elections supervisor, decided to conduct the 2011 General Election by all mail-in ballot for the first time since 1993.

Newcomer challenging incumbent for Moffat County Commission District 2

Last year, a longtime Hayden public official decided to move west to Craig with his wife, Julie, to eventually retire in Moffat County. Chuck Grobe, 61, amassed a lengthy record of public service over 32 years in Hayden. His resume includes serving as town mayor for six years, mayor pro-tem for four years, vice chairman and chairman of the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, and more than 20 years on the Hayden Planning & Zoning Commission, among others. On Saturday night, Grobe announced his intention to continue his tradition of public office by running for the Moffat County Commission’s District 2 seat during the Moffat County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner.

Republican, unaffiliated candidate vying for Moffat County Commission District 1 seat

The Republican Party’s field of candidates vying for public office became more defined Saturday night during the Lincoln Day Dinner fundraiser. One of the local offices up for grabs in November is the Moffat County Commission District 1 seat. Commissioner Tom Gray holds the office currently, but is term limited. John Kinkaid, 58, of Craig, announced his candidacy for the seat in February 2011 and is running unaffiliated. He was joined in the race Saturday night by fellow Craig resident Dave DeRose, 57, who announced his bid for District 1 as a Republican.

New candidates announce at Lincoln Day Dinner in Craig

Two local residents announced Saturday night their intentions to seek public office. The announcements came during the Moffat County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner at the Holiday Inn of Craig.

Candidate announcements, keynote address to highlight GOP fundraiser

KC Hume, Moffat County Republican Party chairman, said the past week has been busy. In addition to his day job at the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office, Hume said he has been fielding calls from a handful of Northwest Colorado residents expected to announce bids for public office tonight during the Moffat County Lincoln Day Dinner at the Holiday Inn of Craig, 300 S. Colorado Highway 13. But, Hume isn’t clueing anyone in about who those candidates are just yet. He’s deferring them until tonight’s dinner. “I anticipate two announcements for local races in Moffat County and one for a state race,” he said. “That’s my impression, anyway. Either they or their representatives have asked for an opportunity to address the attendees at the Lincoln Day Dinner.”

Glenwood Springs’ Bob Rankin to run for HD 57 seat on pro business platform

A Glenwood Springs man Friday announced his candidacy for the District 57 seat in the Colorado House of Representatives. Bob Rankin, 69, said he is a small government conservative who will be running on a platform centered on free market capitalism. “The most important criteria is to provide job growth through the private free market,” Rankin said. “Jobs are not created by the government, but by farmers, ranchers and small businessmen.” Rankin is an electrical engineer. He received his degree in the field from Mississippi State University, and spent more than 30 years in the defense electronics industry.

Moffat County GOP, Democratic caucuses taking shape

The Republican Party precinct caucuses are right around the corner and the Moffat County Republican Central Committee has made it easier for caucus goers to register. KC Hume, Moffat County Republican Party chairman, announced Jan. 3 the launch of www.caucus.colo- gop.org, which allows registered Colorado Republicans interested in participating in local precinct caucuses to streamline the registration process online. “Colorado Republicans are committed to investing in new technologies in order to maintain a competitive advantage in the upcoming 2012 elections,” Hume said in a news release. “I am pleased to announce our new caucus registration website will not only allow caucus goers to find their local caucus location, but also allow attendees to pre-register for their caucus.”