Larson Drawing Line in Sand With Right-Wing of Party

“In addition to being a traitor to your party and constituency, like most bullies you are also a coward,” John H. Lopez wrote to Larson in an e-mail. The message was copied to dozens of others, including Attorney General John Suthers, former state treasurer Mike Coffman and County Commissioner Sheryl Ayers.

Lopez is a former special assistant to the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, D.C., under Alan Greenspan. On Wednesday, he declined to comment on what he considered private e-mails. Lopez helped found the Republican Club of the Four Corners, based in Durango. The Web site of the La Plata County Republican Party lists his wife, Diana Johnstone Lopez, as president of the Southwest Republican Women’s Unit. Both also are involved with the county party’s central committee.

Again Wednesday, Larson accused hard-line right wingers of purging party moderates, even if it means losing races. Another La Plata County Republican, former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Ignacio, echoed Larson’s criticism. On Tuesday, he flatly ruled out a run for governor on the GOP ticket, citing the “absolute obedience” demanded by powerful conservatives.

After Campbell’s announcement and Tuesday’s resignation of respected moderate state Sen. Norma Anderson, R-Jefferson County, there was no letup to battling in Southwest Colorado. In a prior e-mail to Lopez’s wife, Larson accused county chairwoman Shannon Richardson of conspiring with state GOP leaders to form a “Republicans for Isgar” organization.

“I have been the best candidate I could be, worked as hard as I possibly could (to the detriment of my own health), getting results for a great many people on a great many issues,” Larson wrote this week. “But that was never enough for some and now they can find whomever they want to fit their mold. Backstabbing, indeed.”