The developing slate of possible GOP candidates for state party chair is as interesting for who is in it, as it is for who’s not.
Congressman Ken Buck is proposing an innovative change to the way things are currently managed at the state party. If Buck wins, he will remain a Member of Congress and treat the role as if her were a non-executive chairman in a corporate setting – providing oversight and strategic advice, but leaving the day to day operations of the party to a full time executive director. Think Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the Democratic National Committee or the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Driven by the lopsided loss that Republicans took in November’s election, the party insiders who vote for chairman could reasonably be persuaded by bold proposals. As the campaign developed, we assume that those with a vote will insist on Buck disclosing who he would choose to lead the day-to-day operations, or at least produce a short list, since they would presumably be voting for that person, as well.
Don Ytterberg, an well-liked industrialist who has spent decades supporting Republican causes, serving in various party positions, and running for U.S. Congress, is also mentioned as a possible candidate.
State Representative Susan Beckman from Littleton has also announced her intention to seek the seat, is hoping for the support of a lot of her peers in the legislature. Given her effectiveness in the legislature, she could very well get it.
A couple people who have been thought about out loud, but not formally declared their intention to seek the office include former State Senator Tim Neville, and George A-something Greek-ish, who ran for the position two years ago.
Neville has some time on his hands after losing his Jefferson County based seat in the state senate, and is a favorite among conservative activists. Since the election in November, George has been very vocal on social media and the radio of the shortcomings of the current chair, and what he would have done differently. Chair of the El Paso County GOP Josh Hosler could give any one of these potential nominees a run for his money as El Paso typically has a large delegate presence at the central committee meetings.
We have also heard that state GOP vice chair Sherrie Gibson and former Routt County Treasurer Brita Horn, who ran an unsuccessful campaign for state Treasurer last year, are considering a run.
The state party’s Central Committee Meeting will take place on Saturday March 30 at Englewood High School.