September 13, 2011 09:09 PM UTC

Why They Keep Dave Balmer Around

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• by: Colorado Pols

Folks, it’s tough to be state Rep. Dave Balmer. Balmer has had a rough career in politics, as we’ve recounted in this space over the years, stretching back to North Carolina in the 1990s where a falsified resume, allegations of spousal abuse, and bizarre “disappearance” during a congressional run forced a brief pause in his climb up the proverbial ladder.

In Colorado, where we are apparently very, very forgiving of errant Republican politicians who wash up in our state after disgrace elsewhere, Balmer’s strange mix of political savvy and erratic behavior has made him a high-maintenance member of the Colorado House. Balmer’s sketchy past has repeatedly surfaced at key moments to end his aspiration for leadership positions in the caucus–yet Balmer was considered important, at least in the beginning, to the GOP delegation on the committee tasked with congressional redistricting.

Anyway, for all of Balmer’s troubles, there’s a very simple reason why Republicans keep him around. Well, actually, it’s more like thousands and thousands of simple reasons:

Date: September 12, 2011 9:35:23 AM MDT

Subject: Balmer Campaign Update

I want to thank all of you who have been helping us raise money for our SD 27 State Senate race.  We truly appreciate all your help and support.

We are so thankful to have $83,146 (Cash on Hand) currently toward our overall campaign goal of $200,000.   We will continue to work hard and hopefully can reach $100,000 Cash on Hand by December 31, 2011.  

Thank you again!

Respectfully, David

How you like Dave now? Balmer clearly hopes to ward off both Democrats and Republicans who might be looking st SD-27 by announcing big numbers early. We expect that Balmer will easily meet his personal goal, and then some, in plenty of time to perform his regular election-season service of raising piles of money for other Republicans in more competitive districts.

Frankly, we can’t explain how Balmer manages to raise so much money year after year for his and other Republican campaigns–most people we know find him kind of creepy on a personal level. But there’s no question that Dave Balmer’s fundraising prowess is what makes him popular. It’s the same way rich people become “eccentric” as opposed to merely crazy.