May 24, 2006 08:00 AM UTC

Denver Post: Martinez Should Stay Out of Primary

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• by: Colorado Pols

The Denver Post editorial board came out against GOP Chair Bob Martinez today for publicly calling on?Marc Holtzman to withdraw from the governor’s race. Colorado Pols readers apparently agree, with nearly 70% voting that a state party chair should not get involved in a primary.

From the Post:

It’s a good thing for Bob Beauprez that assemblies aren’t the final say in deciding Colorado’s party nominations. If they were, he wouldn’t be U.S. Rep. Beauprez. At the 2002 7th Congressional District assembly, the Arvada Republican finished second to Rick O’Donnell. A few months later, he beat O’Donnell in the primary.

So why did GOP state chairman Bob Martinez come meddling into Beauprez’ race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination? The other day, Martinez asked second-place assembly finisher Marc Holtzman to roll over and play dead in honor of Beauprez.

If assemblies had the final say in deciding Colorado’s party nominations, that would be one thing. But primary elections – which is to say, voters – often reverse an assembly verdict, which is why Martinez’ interference leaves such a bad odor.