The Republican Party on Monday along with leaders in the General Assembly announced the GOP’s new commitment to voters will be to make Colorado affordable again.
“We’re standing next to a gas station because every Mom and Dad that comes through here to get to work is paying $20.00 more to put fuel in the tank of their car. That actually matters.” – @hmckean #copolitics pic.twitter.com/m03Oh5A22C
— The Colorado GOP (@cologop) August 10, 2021
The party is banking on a set of new commitments to provide a clear set of campaign issues for 2022 that will bring some balance back to the state’s far left tilt up and down the ballot.
The overarching priorities in the commitment include:
- Making Colorado affordable
- Prioritizing public safety
- Expanding educational choice
The party’s choice of hosting an event at a gas station was hardly a coincidence. Colorado’s gas prices are in the midst of the biggest surge since 2014 and now average $3.69 per gallon.
The rise in gasoline prices along with surging inflation has put pressure on Colorado Democrats who were hoping to run on a recovering economy in next year’s election.
“Republicans will always stand up for working class families, our children, our small business owners, our farmers and ranchers, and all those who want to work hard and build the American dream. At this gas station, just six months ago, the price per gallon was $2.19 – today that cost is $3.69,” said state GOP Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown.
“Under Democrat control, price increases are wreaking havoc on family budgets. I’m proud to stand with our Republican leaders in the House and Senate, allies on the center right, and the volunteers that drive our party to ensure that the people of Colorado have a real opportunity for a better future,” Brown said.
In Washington, D.C., vulnerable Democrats are growing increasingly uneasy about recent inflationary trends, with Democrats circulating a letter over the weekend demanding House Speaker Nancy Pelosi consider how party-line votes for trillions in new spending would affect inflation.
Not surprising, none of the Democrats within Colorado’s delegation have signed onto the letter.
During the press conference, Colorado House Republican Leader Hugh McKean highlighted concerns Colorodans have with rising crime.
Colorado saw 29% more homicides in 2020 compared to the previous year, while property crimes and auto thefts also soared.
“We cannot stand idly by as our beloved state descends even further into chaos,” McKean said.
“We all remember the boarded up windows and flagrant lawlessness of the past year. It won’t be easy, but we have dedicated partners, genuine public servants, and a Republican commitment to the families of Colorado to solve this problem.”
There’s reason to believe the GOP’s attacks on Democrats failing to ensure public safety could land with swing voters.
Missouri Democratic U.S. Rep. Cori Bush is on the defense for paying $30,000 a month out of her campaign funds for private security while calling to defund the police.
In Colorado, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter is looking at a drastically more competitive race next year after redistricting.
Key bellwether areas in the 7th Congressional District like Lakewood and Wheat Ridge both saw drastic increases in crime last year, with robbery, burglary, larceny and fraud cases all climbing.
Co-leader of the national Harvard/Harris poll Mark Penn recently published a report that shows rising crime could become the defining issue of the 2022 midterms.
“Crime is becoming the next crisis in America,” he concluded, “with overwhelming numbers seeing an increase in crime and Americans want stricter, not looser, enforcement of laws.”
Colorado Republicans also plan to highlight their commitment to educational choice, which they argued is a critical issue for parents who feel like public schools failed their children during the COVID shutdowns.
Woodward said he’s seen data showing huge waitlists at charter and private schools, in part because parents are worried about the “less than” education delivered by public schools.
Education has been the focus for Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert of Parker throughout his time in the legislature.
“This commitment to Colorado is for the majority of voters who will vote in 2022,” he said. “When it comes to our public education system, Republicans prioritize kids over institutions.”
By the looks of it, Republicans have keenly identified three incredibly salient issues that are resonating with voters who may not have voted for a Republican in recent elections.
It’s a welcome show of unity that demonstrates Colorado Republicans know they have a golden opportunity to win races up and down the ballot next year.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Commitment to Colorado can visit Commitment2Colorado.com and sign up for updates.