Democrats in Colorado have struggled this cycle to recruit top flight candidates for office. Maybe it's the fear of running with an unpopular President atop the ticket. Whatever it is, Democrats' recruitment efforts just took another hit, with 5th judicial district candidate Democrat Todd Barson getting charged with domestic violence and harassment on Friday. 

Reports the Summit Daily:

Criminal defense lawyer Todd Barson, the locally favored Democratic candidate for District Attorney, was charged with domestic violence, harassment and one other charge Friday, Breckenridge police confirmed.  

Barson, 44, turned himself in to the Summit County Jail Friday morning following a domestic violence incident at his home earlier in the week, according to a statement from the Breckenridge Police Department.  

Breckenridge authorities would not give any additional information, as Summit County Judge Mark Thompson put a gag order on the case.  

Barson reportedly bowed out of the DA's race this week and lent his support to his competitor for the Democratic nomination, Bruce Brown.

As the story goes on to note, Barson beat the new Democrat nominee Bruce Brown handily in two recent straw polls. 

This is terrible news for Democrats — their favored candidate for District Attorney, of all offices, is picked up for domestic violence charges.

Domestic violence — that’s the real war on women.

(Photo via Todd Barson's campaign website)