Forty years ago this week: After some complaints from disillusioned political activists, the Denver Democratic Party admitted that it was in fact supporting Denver Election Commission candidates Jack Kintzele and Susan Duncan with a $10,000 donation.
Incumbents Sylvia Dennis and Don Nicholson had complained vehemently about Democratic Party interference in what was supposed to be a nonpartisan municipal election.
But the match shot up. “Dennis and Nicholson are blatant hypocrites for complaining,” said Denver Democratic Party Chairman Miller Hudson. “Republican election commissioners cry today because Democrats finally have the good sense to copy Republicans.”
Hudson told The Colorado Statesman that in the 1979 election, Nicholson and fellow Republican Ruth Prendergast, R-Denver, benefited from both a $310 in-kind contribution from the Denver Republican Party central committee and ‘a letter sent by the local GOP urging registered Republicans to support Nicholson and Prendergast.
But Prendergast, who resigned his post to run for House District 10, refuted Hudson’s allegations that he had accepted money from the Denver GOP.
“I didn’t get anything because they were so pressed for money,” Prendergast said. “The Denver Republicans may have made some impression, but I don’t remember specifically.”
Nicolson also refuted Hudson’s allegations and said he could not recall any cash donations from the Denver Republican Party.
“The Miller Hudson charges,” Nicolson said, “come on the same day that reports to the clerk’s office and records showing a $10,000 donation from the Denver Democratic Party are laughable. This further emphasizes what I have been saying, the massive donation is a reward in my head.”
Nicolson said she was furious with the Democratic Party for challenging the city’s charter.
“When you run for office, you have to sign an affidavit swearing that you are not a party candidate,” Nicholson said. “No one is naive enough to think that partisan politics doesn’t play a role in municipal races, but this is the back door entry to making municipal races partisan.”
Meanwhile, Hudson told The Statesman he was unconvinced by Prendergast and Nicolson’s excuses and said there was little difference between the two sides’ methods.
“In 1979 it was obvious to everybody that they were Republican candidates supported by the Republican Party,” Hudson said. “There was nothing nonpartisan about their campaign. Everything we’re doing for Jack and Susan, we learned from the Denver Republicans. We may be a little late to wake up, but we think we can beat them on their own game”.
Thirty years ago: In celebration of the grand opening of the El Paso County Democratic Party’s new headquarters, a lone Republican made an appearance after El Paso Dem Chair Sharon Berthong casually mentioned the event to the county’s Republican chair d ‘El Paso, Bob Gardner, at a redistricting meeting in Colorado Springs.
As Gov. Roy Romer stepped out of his limousine, Gardner stepped forward and welcomed him to “our county.” Romer participated in a quick question-and-answer session on the sidewalk and thanked Gardner for his assistance.
“We need you Republicans,” Romer said. “We listen to them and give ourselves energy for the fight.”
In response to the not-so-veiled barb, Gardner gallantly offered to contribute to Romer’s “retirement fund.” But before any more fighting could ensue, Colorado Democratic Party Vice Chairman Dave Ruchman crossed Gardner with a “thanks, Bob.”
Romer also clarified his plans for the coming years.
“Yes, I’m going to run for another term … I’m going to run really hard,” Romer said. “It is not an advantage to be a starter. If you don’t believe me, ask George Bush.”
Rachael Wright is the author of the Captain Savva Mystery series, holds degrees in Political Science and History from Colorado Mesa University, and is a contributing writer to Colorado Politics and The Gazette.
