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January 07, 2012 02:11 AM UTC

Sal Pace, Candidate in Colorado's Third Congressional District

  • 7 Comments
  • by: Konola

(Does Pace have a chance? – promoted by Pita)

The first time I met Sal Pace was in Denver, when I was running for a seat in the state Senate. The second time was at the Mesa County Democrat’s annual fundraiser, the Spring Fling. The third time was at Main Street Bagels in downtown Grand Junction, where a group of malcontents meet each Friday to discuss current events over coffee. The fourth time was at the library in Parachute, where town leaders were invited to express their opinions. Most recently I met him again at Main Street Bagels, where he met with Mesa County Democrats.

I believe he is improving as a candidate, but he still has room to grow. He’s sincere when he says he wants to hear what people have to say; he even takes notes in those conversations. But he doesn’t own the room at his own events. Generally he sits down, avoiding the center of the table, and thus the center of attention. Pace is soft-spoken, and talks about working together to solve the problems facing his constituents. I wish he had more spark, more charisma.

The Pace/Tipton race is going to be one of the most highly watched in the nation. The district is one that could go either way. The new maps added a few registered Democrats to the mix, but it is still possible for a candidate from either party to win. Tipton has made lots of mistakes in his freshman year, not the least of which is irritating women by not supporting any of their issues. I haven’t been sure that Pace had the spine to stand up to Tipton.

But I finally saw him under attack on Thursday, and was pleased with his response. In the meeting with local Democrats, a local challenged his stated desire to work across the aisle, by suggesting that the only thing Obama achieved with compromise was moving the center to the right. The challenger then launched into a barrage, as much aimed at Obama as at Pace, expressing the frustration that many of us have with the constant obstructionism of Republicans in Washington.  I finally saw the spark I’d been looking for in Pace when he responded with “You don’t start negotiations with a bombing raid.”

Pace also shared with us that when Tipton was in Colorado’s state legislature, he frequently wore a tea bag pinned to his lapel. Pace lamented the fact that nobody seemed to have photographic evidence. What particularly amuses me about Tipton sporting a tea bag is his lack of support from the Grand Junction Tea Party. From what I’ve heard from them, Tipton is not their guy. I know that the local Tea Party did not endorse Tipton during 2010 primaries, and one of the founders of GJResult tells me, via posts at my blog, that they aren’t likely to endorse him in 2012 either.

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7 thoughts on “Sal Pace, Candidate in Colorado’s Third Congressional District”

  1. Not if he continues to court only the Democrats and meets at Main Street Bagels.  Not that I don’t enjoy Main Street – I do.  But as an Independent, friend of many Republican moderates who aren’t particularly pleased with Tipton, I can tell you Pace isn’t going to break that 43% ceiling the way he’s campaigning here in Mesa County.  

    1. but you must admit, it is daunting to many Democrats when they have to face the unreasoning hatred of the Mesa Co. republicans.

      The social and economic intimidation practiced by the rednecks in these parts is palpable. They do not hesitate to attack whenever they feel like it. There are no repercussions here for mistreating progressives.

      A case in point is Diane Schwenkes’ summary cancelling of WCCs’ membership in the Chamber of Commerce for “philosophical differences” (no appeal…no debate). Democratic candidates are routinely abused in these parts. I have seen it too many times with my very own eyes.  

      1. Long ago when I was a young man and worked for Gov. Romer I did a presentation at a Club 20 meeting in Rifle and got absolutely shelled by everybody there for my efforts.  Thanks guys !  

  2. in Parachute mentioned in the diary. The town leaders were all lamenting the bust and the hard times. a story in yesterdays’ Grand Junction Daily newspaper.

    http://www.gjsentinel.com/S=11…

    should peak their interest.

    The county estimated the oil and gas industry paid about $95 million in property taxes in the county last year.

    Of the total of $164 million in 2011 tax revenues from the county’s assessed value, about one-third goes to schools, 31 percent to the county government, 13 percent to special districts, 11 percent to fire districts, 8 percent to Colorado Mountain College, and 2 percent to towns.

    Perhaps that figure could be renegotiated. Should CMC get 8%? Well, they have been changing their curriculum to train O&G workers, so I guess there are costs..

    point is; it is well known that towns bear an enormous burden from servicing the O&G industry (Parachute, for example). I would suggest the state could pitch in with severance tax money, but..that $95 million in property taxes payed to the county?…Well, they get to deduct that amount from their severance taxes.

    Only in Colorado…and only the oil and gas industry.

    sweet deal, huh?

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