Too Close For Comfort

With some state legislative races predicted to be determined by a handful of votes, and both the race for Colorado governor and US Colorado senate neck and neck, the continued presence of pro-LGBT representation in Colorado remains uncertain.

Two years ago, Colorado State Representative and LGBT ally Dianne Primavera of House District 33 in Broomfield won her legislative seat by only 55 votes. And this year’s race against Republican candidate Marijo Tinlin promises to be just as close.

“In some of these races, with how tight we expect them to be,” says Jon Monteith, One Colorado’s Communication Director, “the number of supporters from One Colorado who are in those districts could effectively be the margin of victory.”

One Colorado recently endorsed 47 candidates running for state legislator, with many of those races still too close to call. And if just one of those legislative seats is lost in the Colorado state senate, the pro-LGBT equality legislature will no longer have a majority vote.

Some of the pro-equality candidates One Colorado is watching closely include:

• Michael Merrifield in Colorado Springs (SD 11)
• Kerry Donovan along the Western Slope (SD 5)
• Jeanne Nicholson along the Front Range (SD 16)
• Andy Kerr in Lakewood (SD 22)
• Daniel Kagan in south Denver (HD 3)
• Dianne Primavera in Broomfield (HD33)
• Mike McLachlan in Durango (HD 59)

Daniel Ramos, political and organizing director of One Colorado, points out that two opponents in those close races — Republican candidate Tony Sanchez of SD 22 and Republican candidate Tim Neville of SD 16 — are endorsed by the conservative nonprofit Rocky Mountain Gun Owners.

“Sanchez defeated his primary opponent by the opponents’ support for civil unions and for marriage,” says Daniel. “He will not be a friend to One Colorado or to the LGBT community.”

The Rocky Mountain Gun Owners is the same organization that was involved in a lawsuit filed by a same-sex New Jersey couple when their engagement photo was used without permission in political fliers in 2012 disparaging same-sex marriage in Colorado.

US Colorado Senator Mark Udall is also in an extremely close race against Republican candidate and US Colorado Representative Cory Gardner, who is trailing Udall by only a few points according to the Denver Post.

“Gardner’s record is really poor when it comes to LGBT issues,” explains Daniel. “When he was a Colorado state legislator, he voted against the LGBT community in a lot of ways.”

In 2006, then Colorado State Representative Gardner voted against adding sexual orientation to Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws. In 2007 he voted against allowing Colorado gay and lesbian couples to adopt children. And in 2009, Gardner voted no on a bill that granted the right of a state worker to add a domestic partner to his or her health insurance plan.

Daniel emphasizes how Senator Udall has been a consistent supporter for LGBT rights, advocating for marriage equality, working to end the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, and co-sponsoring the Employment Non-Discrimination Act which would have protected LGBT community members from being discriminated at work based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

And the race for the next Colorado governor is also extremely close, with Republican candidate Bob Beauprez and Governor John Hickenlooper at a statistical tie.

Beauprez has stated that he supports civil unions, “but does support the marriage ban,” says Daniel. “He said he supports the definition of marriage in our state constitution, and he has just come to realize that he supports civil unions.”

Daniel emphasizes how Hickenlooper has consistently supported the LGBT community. “The current governor has been supportive on all of our issues. He signed civil unions, he signed our state’s school bill, he signed more job protections for LGBT employees, and so we know he’s going to continue to be a supporter of our issues moving forward.”

One Colorado also came out against personhood Amendment 67. “It would ban all abortions,” explains Jon, “even in the cases of rape, incest, or the health of the mother. It would also restrict access to common forms of birth control.”

Jon explains how the amendment is far-reaching and has an enormous impact on gay and lesbian couples who are also hopeful parents. “It would ban in vitro fertilization. There are certainly many couples here in Colorado who actually rely on fertility services like in vitro to start a family. They’ve been told already their families are not equal, and I think this is just another message being sent to them that that’s the case.”

One Colorado also points to the race for Colorado’s attorney general, and that Don Quick, the Democratic candidate, stated publicly he would not defend Colorado’s marriage amendment ban.

And even though the Supreme Court recently paved the way for same sex couples to marry in Colorado, the Republican candidate for Colorado attorney general, Cynthia Coffman, stated she would have continued to defend the ban.

Jon is encouraging voters to verify they’ve completed the whole ballot, as sometimes people skip or miss voting for important political seats. “Filling out the entire ballot and returning it is going to be the biggest factor around how close the race is for attorney general,” says Jon.

Both Daniel and Jon emphasize that there is a lot at stake this year, and voting in November’s midterm election is more important than ever. “You hear that phrase thrown out there a lot that every vote matters, every vote counts,’” says Jon. “For this election, it’s actually true.”

Ballots for the upcoming election will be mailed to registered voters in Colorado on Oct. 15. Voters can register online or on the same day of the election on Nov. 4 at a local polling center.

Find more online at JustVoteColorado.com