Face the State Staff Report
During elections held over the last week, Republicans in Arapahoe, Denver and Jefferson Counties have selected new leadership, with the results representing a shift toward less experienced and more energetic leaders looking to break stereotypes and reconnect with voters. All three counties say they are committed to putting the painful 2008 elections behind them, focusing on the future, and dare we say, creating change.
Arapahoe County Republicans held their election Tuesday night and voted in Dave Kerber as their new chairman. Athenia Michel, who previously served as the party secretary, was elected vice-chair, and Sueyuna Duthie took over as county secretary. Kerber ran unsuccessfully against Democrat state Rep. Joe Rice in 2008 and is currently in his third term on the Greenwood Village City Council. He is an Air Force Academy graduate, former practicing attorney, and a small business owner. He has never held a state elected office.
Kerber spoke to Face the State about his desire to move the party forward. "We are not looking back," said Kerber, referring to significant losses Republicans have faced in recent years. "We are going to portray ourselves the way we really are. We've had three tough election cycles and with fresh leadership we have new energy. We aren't going to talk about personalities or spend time name calling, we are going to bring a positive message of what is best for the people of Colorado."
To the north, Jefferson County Republicans also held their leadership elections Tuesday night at the Jeffco fairgrounds. Don Ytterberg, the unsuccessful Republican nominee for Senate District 16 in 2008, was elected chairman and Renee Nelson, who previously served as chair, was elected vice-chair. Tina Francon will serve as secretary.
Nelson stepped down as chair after four years in a strategic move that she says will allow her experience to guide Ytterberg's energetic personality.
Jeffco resident and Independence Institute senior fellow Ben DeGrow, who attended the election, said that "by stepping back into the number two position, [Nelson] will be able to take some of the pressure off her tremendously busy schedule while providing enormously helpful continuity to the incoming leader."
Fred Holden, who chairs the Jefferson County Republican Men's Club supported the leadership changes. "Less experienced leadership brings freshness and creativity. Part of it is technological. We're trying to come into the 21st century."
Holden thinks Nelson's move to step down as chair is a wise one. "As a pair, Don and Renee are going to be a powerful combination. She has experience, he has the enthusiasm and creativity."
The Denver Republicans held their election Saturday, where Ryan Call was elected as chairman. In Denver, the party will be guided by three vice-chairs, Former Marine Toby Hurd, Republican blogger Josh Sharf, and party activist Sam Freeman. The Denver GOP is focusing on building a diverse constituency, and, according to Call, the group includes, "folks that are Jewish, Catholic, raging conservatives, libertarians and social moderates."