Of the four GOP candidates gunning to replace retiring state Sen. Tom Wiens, R-Castle Rock, only one of them made it on the ballot during the first day of the Republican State Convention at the Westin hotel in Westminister, Friday.
Former Douglas County Republican Party Chairman Mark Scheffel, a Parker attorney, blew away the competition, garnering 65 percent of all assembly delegate votes. Committeeman Ed Brewer of Castle Rock came in second with 25 percent, followed by Castle Rock mayor Randy Reed at 7.2 percent and computer consultant Mark Vanderbilt at 2.3 percent.
Scheffel called his victory "a true grassroots effort."
Despite being the only candidate named to the ballot, Scheffel doesn't have this race wrapped up quite yet. A candidate who receives less than 30 percent but more than 10 percent of the vote can also try to petition on, leaving Brewer as the only candidate eligible to do so. Those who receive less than 10 percent of the vote are out of the race. Additionally, retired Air Force Colonel Bob Denny of Glen Eagle has submitted petitions to the Colorado Secretary of State's office.
Who will run in SD 21?
Unlike SD 4, which benefits from a wealth of qualified and willing candidates eager to run for office, SD 21 is having trouble securing even one. Amy Attwood, who was appointed to fill the GOP vacancy just two weeks ago filed a candidate withdrawal form with the Secretary of State's office May 29. After being appointed by a vacancy committee, Republicans were hopeful they had found a candidate who could challenge incumbent Sen. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood. Boyd was appointed in 2006 to replace Sen. Deanna Hanna,who was forced to resign after an ethics scandal. Boyd is now required to defend her seat just two years later in order to get the district's election cycle back on track.
Unfortunately, union money is an intimidating factor in this district, and many eligible Republican candidates are fearful of getting trounced.
This swing district has registration numbers that are evenly split between Republicans (32.81%) and Democrats (33.57%). Republicans just need to find a candidate brave enough to face-off with not just Boyd but her union coffers as well.