Craig Daily Press / 2007 Election

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.”

Government Update for Dec. 31, 2011

Moffat County Commission meeting When: 10:45 a.m. Tuesday Where: Moffat County Courthouse, 221 W. Victory Way Agenda:

Commissioner announces 2012 campaign

Audrey Danner seeking additional term in public office

Moffat County Commissioner Audrey Danner announced Friday her intent to run for reelection for the commission’s District 2 seat. “One reason I chose to run again is because I truly enjoy the job and I see that I can be successful at this,” she said. “In learning about all the issues that face our community large and small, I’ve found that they are important to people for many different reasons. I’m enjoying the aspects of learning about those issues and responding to them. That’s why I’m pleased to put my name out there for November 2012.”

Moffat County Clerk and Recorder: Voter turnout higher than expected

Votes are tallied and the results are in for Tuesday’s election that featured five Moffat County School Board candidates and Proposition 103, a state tax question. Tuesday’s election was the first since 1993 that local voters participated in an all mail-in election. Of Moffat County’s 9,014 registered voters, more than 5,400 were active and received mail-in ballots beginning Oct. 11.

Moffat County voters elect school board members

Two newcomers secured positions on the Moffat County School Board, and the sole incumbent in the race won a second term, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s election. Sherry St. Louis secured 1,227 votes, or 55.5 percent of the total vote, in the race for the District 5 seat.

School funding proposal falls in Moffat County, state

Moffat County voters were asked during the 2011 election to consider a state tax question that would have increased public school funding through higher state income and sales taxes. Proposition 103, also known as “Bright Colorado,” was defeated in Moffat County by a 2,111 to 639 margin. As of press time Tuesday night, with 81 percent of Colorado precincts tallied, election officials reported Prop 103 was trailing by approximately 250,000 votes across the state.

Moffat County elects School Board members, rejects Prop 103

Unofficial voting results from today’s Moffat County election are now in, and voters have elected three Moffat County School Board members and voted against Proposition 103. A few ballots still have to be counted, according to the Moffat County Elections Department.

Printing error affects Meeker mail-in ballots

RIO BLANCO COUNTY — The Rio Blanco County Clerk and Recorder announced Friday that more than 1,200 ballots mailed to voters in Meeker School District RE-1 were accidentally marked “Sample Ballot” on the side of the documents. Rio Blanco County Clerk Nancy Amick said the error occurred during the printing process.

November election ballots sent to voters

Ballots for the November election were mailed to active, registered voters Tuesday, Moffat County Elections Supervisor Stephanie Beckett said. On this year’s ballot are five school board candidates vying for open seats in districts 1, 3 and 5. The District 7 seat is also available, but no candidates emerged and the school board will address the vacancy after the election. Also on the ballot is state tax question Proposition 103, which proposes to increase public school funding through increased income and sales taxes. This year, the election in Moffat County is being conducted entirely by mail, Beckett said. Ballots may be returned to the elections office by mail or by dropping the ballot in election boxes situated throughout the county. Moffat County Clerk and Recorder Lila Herod said there remains confusion about what it means to be an active, registered voter. She said she wants to make sure people understand that if they did not vote in the gubernatorial election last year, they may not automatically receive a ballot.

November ballot takes shape in Moffat County

An anticipated state tax question was recently revealed when Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler certified the November 2011 election. Proposition 103, also known as “Bright Colorado,” is an initiative to restore state funding to public schools by raising the state’s income and sales taxes. If approved, Prop 103 will raise income tax from 4.63 percent to 5 percent for all Colorado residents in 2012. The increased tax would sunset in 2016.

School board candidates emerge in Craig

Vicki Duncan, the Moffat County School District’s designated election official, was optimistic Friday when discussing November’s school board election. “We have four board of education district seats open on this year’s ballot,” Duncan said. “So far, there has been interest in every district but one.” By interest, Duncan was referring to five residents who have come into her office to fill out paperwork and pick up a candidate petition.

Perry's colorful tongue takes the national stage

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — In the words of Gov. Rick Perry, secession was one scenario on the table for frustrated Texans. The BP oil spill? Might have been an act of God instead of corporate errors. And if the Federal Reserve puts more money in the U.S. system, as Perry told voters in Iowa this week, you could chalk it up as a treasonous act that would be treated "pretty ugly" back home. No, that wasn't on the same level as his famous interview signoff, "Adios, mofo." But Perry's just warming up.

Moffat County tweaking election format

Moffat County Elections Supervisor Stephanie Beckett said Moffat County has been behind the curve by not conducting coordinated elections by mail-in ballot only. “Most of the state already does that,” Beckett said. “We were one of four counties last year in the election that did not have an all-mail ballot election, and it just seems like voters are leaning that way, to have their ballots mailed to them.” At Tuesday’s regular Moffat County Commission meeting, commissioners Tom Gray and Tom Mathers approved a resolution to have this year’s November coordinated election done by mail ballot only. Commissioner Audrey Danner was absent.

Craig City Clerk pleased with ballot returns so far

Two weeks after mailing out ballots to active, registered Craig voters, the Moffat County Elections Department has received 880 ballots as of Friday. Moffat County Elections Supervisor Stephanie Beckett said the city has mailed out 3,150 ballots since mid-March. As of Friday, there were 5,895 registered voters in the city, but only 3,150 are considered active. In late February, the Craig City Council voted to conduct a mail-in election in hopes of boosting voter turnout.

City candidates answer questions for Craig Daily Press

The eight candidates in next month’s Craig municipal election — two for mayor and six for city council — recently answered questions for the Craig Daily Press. The interviews with each candidate are below.

Candidates confirmed for Craig election

Craig City Clerk Shirley Seely said candidates in this year’s municipal election have officially been set. There are two candidates running for mayor and six candidates running for three city council seats in the April 5 mail-in ballot election. City council member Terry Carwile and former Moffat County Commission candidate Frank Moe are the two mayoral candidates.

Craig voter registration deadline looming

City of Craig to mail more than 3,000 ballots starting March 14

Craig City Clerk Shirley Seely said the deadline for residents who want to participate in this year’s city election is soon approaching. The deadline for residents to register to vote in the s April 5 city council and mayoral election is Monday. Currently, there are 5,907 registered voters in the city. Since January, 32 new residents have registered to vote.