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March 26, 2009 05:04 PM UTC

HD-3 Reality Show Ends Tonight

  • 56 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

UPDATE: Daniel Kagan appointed to replace outgoing Rep. Anne McGihon for Colorado House District 3, reports the Colorado Independent.

As the Denver Post reports:

Discourse has gotten a little testy – and crowded – in the nine-way race for the safe Democratic seat incorporating parts of Denver and Arapahoe counties.

The free-for-all ends tonight, as a 100-person vacancy committee selects a replacement for exiting Rep. Anne McGihon, who left her post after rejoining her law firm…

The unusually large field also includes a former Washington Post reporter, a man The New York Times called one of the country’s 10 most influential political bloggers, school administrators and – until Wednesday – a self-described “policy wonk” who joined the Democratic Party last week.

National Conference of State Legislators policy analyst Doug Farquhar, who decided Wednesday to leave the race, said he registered as a Republican and his wife registered as a Democrat so they could get both parties’ political mailers.

“I’ve switched now. I’m legal,” he said. “But it was last-minute.”

…Four party stalwarts turned candidates are on the selection committee and will get a vote tonight.

One, blogger Aaron Silverstein, spent Wednesday night in his “campaign car,” a beat-up Subaru littered with clipboards, a banner about tonight’s meeting and lots of fliers.

Admit it, this is more fun that a real election. We only wish Simon Cowell could make the final call. Who will come out on top? A poll follows.

Who will the House District 3 vacancy committee appoint?

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56 thoughts on “HD-3 Reality Show Ends Tonight”

  1. Anyone know how the blizzard might effect the outcome? How many voters are needed for a quorom? If we have a foot of snow in Denver by this evening it could make things very interesting.  

      1. No meeting shall be held until a quorum is present consisting of not less than one-half of the voting membership of the vacancy committee.

        I think they can postpone it, but they’d have to send out another notice.  So, the next meeting couldn’t be held for at least ten days.

        http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir…

    3. It is my understanding that 50% of eligible voters are required to be present for a quorum. If a quorum is not met then I believe they have 30 days to meet again and make a decision. Otherwise the Governor gets to choose.  

        1. The official date of the vacancy is tomorrow per Rep. McGihon’s resignation letter. Therefore HD3 has to pick a replacement and file their paperwork no later that April 26th to avoid Gov. appointment.

          I asked the organizers of tonight’s vacancy committee meeting if they have a back up in place in case the snow is too much for the committee. They said they do, but i do not know what those plans are.

  2. Whatever.

    It should be TR Reid.  Absolutely decades of political experience and a health care expert to boot.  The only thing Silverstein is an expert in is writing blogs criticizing others.  What’s he ever done?

    1. I don’t believe he has political experience.  I believe he has been a reporter not in politics. I am not saying that he doesn’t have knowledge, but reporting on the space program doesn’t make you an astronaut.

      He is a smart man and knows national issues and could learn local ones, but I do not believe he has ever been involved in a political campaign, a political party, legislating or any of the other functions of a representative.

      Aaron at least has worked on many campaigns, worked to build the party and is currently Andy Kerr’s assistant, which gives him familiarity with current legislation, ties with the party infrastructure and the leadership in the house.

      There are many great candidates, and I think Aaron is one of them.

      1. i pulled out of the race to endorse Aaron after talking to him and discovering how much in-depth knowledge he had of the current legislation down at the house.

        Aaron also has a record of constant and steady work within HD3, working with the committee members and he knows the constituents.

        While some of the other candidates may know some policy/ legislature and some candidates may have been working a lot within the district,

        none of the other candidates can say they have both of those areas covered like Aaron does.

        It doesn’t hurt that he is also the most

        progressive on the issues.

        As for endorsements, Morgan Carroll was able, and did endorse him.

      2. …therefore I am Kerr.

        That’s such a leap in logic.  Aaron answers his mail, gets his coffee, and hangs out at the Capitol, which by some form of osmosis must make him a good candidate for State Rep?  No way.  Also, by that logic we always get City Council aides as Councilmembers in Denver.  People who have actually done something in their lives and have proven their leadership, intellect and contribution, are more impressive to me.  This Ms. Judd sounds like a winner too.  Bloggers for Silverstein!  Again, whatever.

  3. I think the best choice is Judith Judd. Smart, talented lawyer. I have known her for many years and she would be a first rate Legislator. I would compare her very favorably with Anne McGihon who in my opinion was an outstanding Legislator.

    Aaron seems a nice guy but what has he every really done?  Not too many guys his age have part time jobs in the Legislature.  The rumor is that when he ran the GOTV campaign in Jefferson County in 2006 he did a really poor job and had to be replaced.  Judith Judd has a lifetime of experience while Aaron’s political resume limited as it is only goes back to 2006.  

    1. She’s a good Democrat, but I take issue with your dismissal of Aaron.

      “What is a guy his age doing working part time at the legislature?” trying to effect legislation.  What are part time legislators trying to do at the legislature? trying to effect legislation-there is a similarity.  One could ask why someone would want to take a part time job that only pays 30k a year–what is wrong with those people.

      As to the experience issue.  Everyone, by definition, has a “lifetime” of experience–even if they are 3 years old.  The experience question is really “what relevant experience do you have”.  I believe Judith does(did) estate planning law, which is a very narrow and relatively uncontentious field of law, so I’m not sure that is the most relevant experience.  But let me reiterate, she is a good Democrat and I would have no problem with her in the house.

      1. It is kind of odd that at his age Aaron could only manage to find a part time job. The State Representative he works for is not even supporting him which should tell you something. Aaron’s work in the Legislature  is not a strong selling point I am afraid. As to political involvement Aaron has never held a high level position in any campaign. Aaron did not do a good job when he was placed in charge of GOTV in Jefferson County and that should also tell you something about him.

        Consider Judith Judd who offers a real record of service to the Denver Democratic Party.  

        1. You assert it as a fact (I am not disputing her beliefs, but you are asserting that she has done something)

          As to Aaron, there are plenty of people who would disagree with your assessment of Aaron’s time in Jeffco.  

          As to your opinion on working in the House, I disagree, I think familiarity with the legislative process has value, but these are just opinions (yours and mine).

          As to Kerr’s support, you may be right on that one, alternatively Kerr might just be concerned that he will have to work who ever is appointed and he doesn’t want to take sides in a wide open appointment where he likes many of the candidates.  He is in leadership after all.  I suspect Kerr would have dissuaded Aaron if he really thought he was unsuitable.

          As to working a part time job. It is very fortunate for you that you employment situation is so secure you can rubbish someone else for their employment situation.

        2. Aaron Silverstein works for the Assistant Majority Leader Andy Kerr and as a member of house leadership, is not allowed to endorse any candidate.  

          1. Andy Kerr whom he works for is not supporting Aaron

            Dick Barkey whom he worked for is not supporting Aaron. Ed Perlmutter whom he worked for is not supporting Aaron.  No one it seems who he has actually worked for is supporting Aaron. Probably because he has done mediocre or poor work in every job he has held. There is a reason a guy in his mid-40’s has a part time job.

            Judith Judd by contrast has made partner in a major law firm, served with dedication on numerous community boards and distinguished herself as a leader. Everyone she has ever worked for supports her.  

            1. Andy Kerr isn’t allowed to support anyone, so what’s your point?

              Anyway, this race is between Cassidy, Silverstein and Reid. Judd would be a serious, top contender in many districts, but the talent is too deep in HD 3.

              I notice that you didn’t even bother voting for her in the poll attached to this diary … interesting.

              1. Since we are fact checking why doesn’t Aaron ever talk about being fired in Jefferson County for doing a terrible job on GOTV. It is a joke when he talks of building the party as whenever he has had the chance to build something he has failed miserably. As to being the most progressive he has no record, never taken a controversial stand on anything or every actually done anything.

                Judith Judd is in the Anne McGihon tradition. No glitz or glamor just brains and talent.  

              2. I don’t care. It’s such a safe Dem seat that it really doesn’t matter to me as long as it’s someone who’s not as big of a toolshed as Wade.

                    1. Union intimidation!

                      (Not really).

                      Wade.  You’re a toolshed.  And no, I won’t meet you at 3:00 on the playground.  

                    3. What? You really think we would tell you something different to your face? Trust me, darling, I dont’ say anything I don’t mean and I think you are a pompous, self righteous ass, starting back in the day when you thought John Edwards walked on water. Clear enough for you?  

                    2. for over ten years, so mostly it was in Coleman’s.  I just had it changed in December.  Is it just me, or is that kind of hilarious?

    1. I’ve heard it described, but don’t have an opinion about it. From what I understand, the first ballot winnows the field to six candidates, with everyone getting the chance to vote for up to three candidates; and then the next ballot narrows to the two top finishers; and the third ballot choses between those.

      What’s the beef with it?  

  7. I see that Daniel Kagan won the vacancy committee vote for HD3.  I’m delighted.  His credentials are very impressive (not having met him but having seen the web page on him).  Once again the bloggers on this site, who enjoy their own banter a tad too much, are wrong.  I love democracy and its unpredictable nature.

    2. It was very close and I suspect that Kagan’s superior speech made the difference with those that didn’t know either.

      Kagan is a very smart man and has a compelling personal biography.  He is good on most issues and will be one of the smartest people in the Leg.

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