Locals attend state GOP convention

RBC — Westminster and Broomfield shared the honor of hosting the Colorado State Republican Convention this past weekend. Delegates from Rio Blanco County attending were Rob Baughman, Jon and Fran Hill, Pat Hughes, Kai Turner, J.C. Watt and acting chairperson Karen Arnold.
The Westin Westminster Hotel was the site Friday for all district meetings. A state central committee meeting started at 7 a.m. which was attended by Karen Arnold and Rob Baughman by proxy.
District Attorney Martin Beeson was nominated to be placed on the ballot for the 9th Judicial District (Garfield, Pitkin and Rio Blanco counties). David W. Smith will be on the vacancy committee.
Representative Al White was nominated to be the Republican candidate for the 8th district state Senate seat held by retiring Jack Taylor.
Eagle, Garfield, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Routt counties were present for this nomination. As Representative White is vacating the 57th state House seat, a primary race will be on the August ballot between Randy Baumgardner and Dan Korkowski, both from Grand County.
The day concluded with the 3rd Congressional District nominating Wayne Wolf of Cedaredge as its candidate to Washington. This district covers the entire Western Slope, western mountain counties and into Pueblo. Wolf was nominated by current state Senator Josh Penry.
Approximately 6,000 people were at the Broomfield Event Center on Saturday for a day of energizing.
Retiring U.S. Senator Wayne Allard was honored for 18 years of service in Washington. The Colorado native, who was raised in Walden, brought a lightheartedness to the Capitol. Frequently asked what Colorado was thinking to send a veterinarian to Washington while most politicians are attorneys, he would reply “Colorado has a sense of humor.” His political accomplishments are many.
Bob Shaffer was elected to the ballot for Wayne Allard’s position. Shaffer has served several terms at the state level and worked on committees including veterans and military affairs, resources, agriculture, workforce and is a advocate for tax reform. He has also served on judicial boards both at the state and federal levels, insuring the quality and qualifications of judges.
The highlight of Saturday’s festivities was keynote speaker former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Colorado carried Romney for president in the caucus polls earlier this year. His focus is to elect Senator John McCain as the next president of the United States with the help of Republicans nationwide.