March 17, 2010 08:49 AM UTC

Caucus Night!

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• by: dslater

(Cross-Posted to DemNotes at www.DemNotes.com)

Well, we caucused tonight. So what does that mean?

First, turnout tonight – while not nearly as heavy as 2008 – was not bad for a caucus. It looks like, after we get all of the reports, we will have an attendance of about 22,000 Democrats. That’s not too bad. Before the 2008 caucuses, we would consider tonight’s turnout to be “heavy”. The last comparable year, 2004, saw a much smaller turnout.

As most of you know by now, it looks like Andrew Romanoff has ended this evening with a pretty decent-sized victory over incumbent Senator Michael Bennet. Of those expressing a preference, Romanoff won 55%-45% (note we are still awaiting some results, including Pueblo County, although Pueblo often votes “uncommitted” at caucus).

In 2008, I provided some statistics following caucus, so I want to do the same.

The best counties for Romanoff:

1. Clear Creek – 85%

2. Park – 81%

3. Otero – 78%

4. Gilpin – 78%

5. Bent – 76%

The best counties for Bennet:

1. Hinsdale – 100%

2. San Miguel – 82%

3. Rio Blanco 81%

4. Pitkin – 74%

5. La Plata – 71%

Highest vote total for Romanoff was, by far, Denver, with 3318 votes. Bennet’s highest votes also came in Denver, where he received 1963 votes.

In terms of wins, Speaker Romanoff won 33 counties, while Senator Bennet won 19. 4 counties went “uncommitted”. We don’t have results from the remaining, or there was a tie.

So what does all of this mean? I don’t know. 2004 is about as comparable as we have in recent years. Contrary to what some have written, Ken Salazar actually won on caucus night – he outpolled Mike Miles by 2:1 among caucus-goers. It wasn’t until the State Assembly that Miles came out slightly better than Salazar. Further, Dennis Kucinich walked out of caucus night with less than 14% of the vote – only to end up with about a third of the vote at the State Convention.

On the other side of things, it looks like the Republican Party is also on its way to a possible upset; Jane Norton – the presumed front-runner – is neck and neck as I write this with Weld County DA (and immigration-basher) Ken Buck. Interesting.

In Fremont County, tonight was a good night to be a Democrat. A decent crowd started showing up well before 6 pm, and there were plenty of campaign signs and treats for all who attended.

Precinct 9, where I live, had a fair turnout of 13. Not spectacular, but not bad at all. A good discussion about the candidates was had, we voted, and then we elected delegates. And everybody stayed as we voted on the other issues to be handled tonight – a good lesson in civic duty.

So that’s it. The nomination process has begun in Colorado. Thanks to all who participated – and hopefully I’ll see you at your county assemblies!