August 22, 2019 03:25 PM UTC

El Paso County Republicans Get Their Fleece On

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• by: Colorado Pols

A Facebook post a couple of days ago from ex-Rep. Mark Waller of Colorado Springs, now a candidate for El Paso County DA, shines another unwelcome light into the fundraising tactics utilized by state and local Republican Party organizations:

The practice of the local Party raising money on the backs of candidates isn’t new, but it’s achieved a new low. I got a call from the local Republican Party yesterday with an offer I just can’t refuse! For the low, low price of a $1500 “donation,” I can speak at a reception prior to the Lincoln Day Dinner. But I need to act fast, because the same offer was made to my Republican primary opponent. [Pols emphasis]

Our mission should be getting Republicans elected, not pitting primary opponents against each other for Party gain.

Readers will recall an attempt this year by another Colorado Springs-area politician, Rep. Dave Williams, to pass legislation restricting so-called “badge fees” charged by the state Republican Party in order to serve as delegates in their state assembly process–fees that aren’t charged by the Democratic Party. That legislation quietly died after Williams had received a great deal of internal pressure to quit rocking the boat–and eventually receiving unspecified assurances that the party would figure out a less exploitative way to pay its bills.

Well folks, the El Paso County GOP found one! A lack of scruples always saves the day.