May 24, 2011 09:06 PM UTC

Romer's Kitchen Cabinet Advisors Resign Over Negative Campaigning

• 2 Comments
• by: Middle of the Road

Three well known Democratic operatives serving as informal advisers for Denver Mayoral candidate Chris Romer’s campaign quit Wednesday, May 18th, citing concerns over negative campaigning.

The Players:

Chris Gates–former Colorado Democratic Party Chairman. Founder of the Colorado Institute for Leadership Training.

Paul Lhevine–Ran DeGette’s re-election campaign in 2002. Campaign Manager for John Hickenlooper in 2003. Managed Wellington Webb’s campaign for DNC Chariman in 2004. Worked for The Kenney Group. Director of Operations for 2008 Denver Convention Host Committee.  

Mark Eddy–Current owner of Mark Eddy communications. Heavy hitter whose former clients include Denver Public Schools, ProgressNow Colorado, Gill Foundation, Colorado Education Association, The Kenney Group, Colorado conservation Trust, Media Matters for America, Rothgerber, Johnson and Lyons, and NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado.

All three “Kitchen Cabinet Advisers” were key players in Governor John Hickenlooper’s campaign for mayor in 2003.  

Their departure directly coincided with a rumor that Romer’s camp spent the better part of a day denying–that Governor Hickenlooper had personally phoned Romer over concerns regarding a negative tv ad that specifically referenced Hickenlooper. Romer admitted he had a conversation with Hickenlooper but denied pulling the ad as a result of the call. According to Eli Stokols article, Romer’s staff insisted that the ad “had run its course.”

The ad is no longer on air.

Romer’s campaign also denies that Gates, Lhevine and Eddy left due to the negative tone Romer’s campaign has taken since the election in May. The campaign claims that the three advisers were simply too busy with work and spending more quality time with their families and can no longer spare their time or advice.

Apparently, being an informal, non-paid adviser can be quite time consuming.