July 31, 2025 11:47 AM UTC

DougCo Republican Activist Plots To Primary All "RiNOS"

•  
• by: Colorado Pols

After narrowly losing the recent election for Colorado Republican Party vice-chair to former Rep. Richard Holtorf, Douglas County Republican activist and donor of some significance Mark Hampton (no, not the husband of actress Christina Ricci) remains displeased with that result and the general direction of the state party, explaining his loss to the also dissentious but from a differing faction Holtorf this way:

I fell just 11 votes short, how convenient, especially in a race where votes (people) seemed to have gone missing. But here’s the twist: if they’d let me win, I’d be buried in their bureaucratic mess, too busy trying to clean up their incompetence to speak the truth. Instead, they set me free. This would’ve been the perfect time to silence me to stop the relentless attacks on our milk-toast Republicans who sell out our conservative values and principles. Their own arrogance blinded them from seeing the right political move. And because of that, they made their worst mistake, because now I get to build the army that’s coming for their jobs in 2027…

Hampton’s list of “Republicans In Name Only” (RiNOs) whose careers he’d like to end is pretty extensive, and includes individuals with designs on higher office than the legislature:

Here’s the hit list, folks, our so-called “Republican” representatives who’ve earned themselves a spot on the naughty list with Liberty Scores below 70. These are the C-minus and D-listers and F for complete failures of constitutional fidelity, the ones who think “conservative values and principles” are just suggestions they can ignore when the lobbyists come knocking.

Anthony Hartsook (HD 44, Liberty Score: 68): Oh, look, it’s the cowboy hat guy! When it comes to defending liberty, Hartsook’s about as useful as a bag of Skillets at Fat Camp. A 68? Really, Tony? That’s the kind of score you get when you’re too busy posing for photo ops to actually vote like a conservative.

Ryan Gonzalez (HD 50, Liberty Score: 67): Gonzalez must think “liberty” is just a fancy word for “whatever gets me reelected.” With a score like that, he’s not fighting for your rights, he’s fighting for a better seat at the Progressive’s table.

Rose Pugliese (HD 14, Liberty Score: 66): Rose, Rose, Rose. You’re out here in Colorado Springs, where folks expect rock-solid conservatism, and you’re giving us a measly 66? That’s not leadership; that’s a participation ribbon.

Mary Bradfield (HD 21, Liberty Score: 61): Mary, bless your heart, she is serving up a masterclass in mediocrity. A 61? I’ve seen higher scores on a middle school pop quiz. She’s got experience, sure, experience disappointing the voters who trusted her to uphold their values

Rick Taggart (HD 55, Liberty Score: 48): Rick, my man, a 48 is not a score; it’s a cry for help. You’re not just flirting with RINO status, you’ve got a full-on romance going with the Progressives. Time to pack your bags.

And don’t even get me started on the Senate. We’ve got “ten out of twelve” Republican senators scoring below 70, with standouts like:

Cleave Simpson – Liberty Score: 47 – Simpson’s out there proving you can wear a Stetson and still vote like a bureaucrat.
Barbara Kirkmeyer – Liberty Score: 49 – The self-appointed RINO queen of Northern Colorado.

From Minority Leader Rose Pugliese to presumptive gubernatorial candidate “Both Ways Barb” Kirkmeyer, Hampton, an ally of former GOP chairman now high-ranking Commerce Department patronage appointee Dave Williams aims to continue Williams’ primary purity purges in the 2026 midterm elections–which if successful would be another priceless unintended gift to Democrats. After 2022 gubernatorial loser Heidi Ganahl gave Kirkmeyer short shrift on her bid for governor earlier this month, here’s another sign that Kirkmeyer is going to have real problems getting out of the Republican primary.

And let’s be honest–this is the fractured legacy Dave Williams wanted. If he can’t have this party, nobody can.