In some respects, it's hard to remember what life was like before a four-way GOP primary battle erupted to replace retiring Congressman Tom Tancredo in Colorado's 6th Congressional District. Now, with just hours remaining until Republicans in the south metro district finally pick their candidate, we are giving the four men vying for the GOP nomination one last chance to convince you to vote for them.
We asked the candidates - Wil Armstrong, Mike Coffman, Ted Harvey, and Steve Ward - to limit their responses to 300 words; what they had to say appears below, unedited. Candidate responses are listed in alphabetical order. Read what they had to say and while you're at it, take our straw poll to let us know who you think will prevail in tomorrow's primary.
Wil Armstrong
Congress is broken. What we need to fix it is more real-world business experience.
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I imagine a Congress with more doctors, ranchers, teachers, and small businessmen and women… citizen legislators who are more interested in getting the important work done for our conservative principles than simply going from one political job to the next.
I am very grateful for the more than 6000 people (a record in Colorado) who signed my petition to put me on the ballot.
I’m proud to have received the endorsements of Governor Mitt Romney, US Senator Wayne Allard, former Governor Bill Owens, and our Attorney General John Suthers. These leaders know that times have changed, that our country and party needs new leadership, and that sending more real-world experience to Congress matters.
As your next Congressman, I will bring my real-world business experience to Washington help frame long-term, strategic energy policies that will bring down the price of gas. I will confront the big-spenders in Washington and will fight to curb runaway spending. I will work to end pork barrel spending and earmarks.
My priorities will include tough policies to insure a safe and secure America: securing our borders, enforcing our existing immigration laws, and opposing amnesty or other rewards for illegal activities. I will strongly support our military and will fund the work of our sons and daughters who serve our country in the military with such great honor.
I will work to keep Colorado special. I will promote our family values including life and traditional marriage. I will champion the Second Amendment and will support the constitutional right that gives all law-abiding citizens the right to buy, own and carry guns. I will fight to preserve our quality of life through good stewardship of our resources including water and our forests.
Mike Coffman
I have a strong record as a proven conservative with a background of leadership from the military, small business, and from state government.
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Congressman Tom Tancredo never waivered on the issue of immigration reform and nor will I. In the Congress, I will fight for an enforceable immigration system that will include the security of our borders and deny amnesty and a path to citizenship to those who violate our laws.
I've been a small business owner from 1983-2000 where I've created jobs, balanced budgets, and met payrolls. In the Congress, I will fight to stop out of control spending, cut taxes, and reduce the regulatory burdens on business to create more jobs and economic opportunities.
I served this nation in both the U.S. Army and in the Marine Corps. I led Marines in combat during the first Gulf War and recently served in Iraq as a Marine Corps civil affairs officer where I helped the Iraqi people establish their first constitutionally-elected government. In the Congress, I will fight to make sure that we maintain a strong military, that we complete our missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that we never waive the white flag of surrender in the war on terror.
I've had four military assignments that have taken me to the Middle East and I fully understand the importance for more domestic drilling and for reducing our dependence on foreign oil. In Congress, I will fight to make sure that we increase domestic drilling to lower the price of gas, increase the availability of nuclear power, and end government mandates and taxpayer subsidies for alternative forms of energy thus allowing the free market system to work to determine how our energy needs are met.
Thanks for reading this. I would deeply appreciate your vote for Congress on August 12th.
Sincerely,
Mike Coffman
Ted Harvey
With liberal Democrats controlling Congress, I am convinced that the people of the 6th CD deserve a proven conservative champion who will fight for their values. None of the other candidates have the authentic record of leadership on conservative issues that I do:
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I am the only candidate in the race to have sponsored pro-life legislation, and the only legislator in the history of the state to have passed a pro-life bill, the Parental Notification Act. Colorado Right to Life awarded me “Legislator of the Year” for this achievement.
I am the only candidate in this race to have carried immigration reform legislation, including bills to ban sanctuary cities and prohibit in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. I am honored to have received the endorsement of the Minutemen Association and Tom Tancredo’s congressional staff.
The NRA, the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, and the Colorado State Shooting Association have given me their highest rankings seven years in a row during my time in the state legislature. Additionally, I am the only candidate in this race to have sponsored pro-2nd Amendment legislation.
My area of expertise is energy and environmental policy, which is particularly important in light of today’s high gas prices and the decisions the US Congress will make about energy policy in the coming years. I have served on the Agriculture, Environment and Energy committee every year I have been in the legislature and have a Master’s Degree in Environmental Policy and Law.
My record on fiscal issues is equally strong: I have never voted for a tax increase, nor will I do so in Congress. I received the “Taxpayer Guardian of the Year” award from CUT (the Colorado Union of Taxpayers), as well as the “Guardian of Small Business” award from the NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business).
I have an established record of conservative leadership in Colorado. If you support the work I have done as a state legislature, you will be pleased with my voting record as a U.S. Congressman.
I would be honored to earn your support and your vote.
Steve Ward
Why vote for Steve Ward for Congress?
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Steve Ward, a 27-year veteran and colonel of Marines, has defended America’s security in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Pentagon and elsewhere around the globe. Steve Ward brings the most national security and defense experience of any candidate in this race.
Steve’s message of solutions for energy security, economic security and national security resonates with voters. He understands how our dependence on foreign oil, coupled with the lack of a national energy policy and out-of-control spending by the Congress, relates to our huge trade imbalance, the devaluation of the U.S. dollar abroad, inflation at home, and the risks of wars with no definition of success. Steve Ward offers realistic solutions to the challenges to America’s future and has the best business, military, and governing experience to be effective as the representative of the 6th Congressional District.
Please vote for Steve Ward for Congress. www.stevewardforcongress.com
Steve has walked to more than 12,000 doors. E-mails from voters:
"Steve, no one but you is talking about the economy and gas prices and Iraq with your common sense."
"Steve, my son in the Marines is going to Afghanistan. If his commanding officer has your kind of leadership, I'll feel he's in good hands."
"I want to trust my congressman as someone who genuinely wants to serve me, not his own political ambitions. Steve, you have my vote."
"Steve, anyone who works as hard as you do deserves my vote."
"Your character is what really got my attention. Honest, truthful and a man of your word.”
“I was most impressed with your details on your website and debate performances. I recognize your unique blend of legislative, executive, military and business experience in addition your personality. Thank you for giving us voters a worthy choice.”
“Steve, your understanding of the economic issues and the inflation of the dollar through the government’s and Federal Reserve’s printing of worthless paper money alone is worth of my support.”
“I appreciate that you asked me what I care about. You seem to actually like the voters and respect them. I have the feeling being in Congress would be a privilege for you, not an entitlement.”