August 15, 2006 06:42 PM UTC

Not Great Press for Beauprez

•  
• by: Colorado Pols

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez should have had great news coverage from across the state yesterday in making the announcement that Mesa County Commissioner Janet Rowland would be his running mate. He did get a lot of press, but it was tinged with controversy after remarks Rowland made in regards to gay marriage surfaced.

Both The Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News made Rowland’s remarks a big part of their story on the lieutenant governor announcement yesterday. As the News reports:

Rowland came under fire Monday for comments she made on the Colorado State of Mind program last spring, comparing homosexuality to “bestiality, polygamy and incest.” She made the statement during a discussion of gay marriage.

The Beauprez campaign said Rowland now regrets making the comments.

But a spokesman for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter said the comments reveal Rowland as an extremist.

“It shows how intolerant, insensitive and ultraconservative the congressman and his running mate are,” said Evan Dreyer.