The price to enter the 2018 Republican primary just skyrocketed. Former state legislator Victor Mitchell just threw his hat into the ring and his cash on the table. Funding his primary campaign with a reported $3 million, Mitchell told the Denver Post that he wants to bring a bold message to the state of Colorado. Despite not voting for political outsider Trump, Mitchell is positioning himself as an outsider.
“I think people really want an outsider, somebody that knows how to fix things and problem solve in a meaningful way,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell served one term in the Colorado State House and helped defeat Proposition 103, a tax increase that would have funded education teachers unions. Mitchell is the first recognizable candidate to actually file paperwork, but other rumored race entrants include State Treasurer Walker Stapleton, District Attorney George Brauchler, Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, and about 10 other Republicans.
On the Democratic side, top contenders include Clinton apostles current U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter and former U.S. Senator and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. Davita CEO Kent Thiry also is allegedly getting in the race (hence his million dollar spend to pass 107 and 108), but we are not exactly sure which way he swings. He has served as the Mayor of Davitaville for many years.