Face The State Staff Report
In an unexpected move, Eagle County’s daily newspaper has endorsed Republican Ali Hasan as its choice for the region's state House representative.
HasanCampaign photo
Under a headline that reads “Call us crazy: Hasan for HD 56” the Vail Daily editorial board begins its explanation by complimenting the candidate it did not endorse. “No question [Democrat] Christine Scanlan is the safe choice,” the endorsement reads.
The decision to endorse Hasan hinged on what the board described as Hasan’s maverick attitude and willingness to challenge Democrat-led tax-and-spend policies.
Hasan said he and his campaign personnel were elated upon hearing the news.
“Everyone on my campaign team was so happy,” he said. “We’ve worked so hard, knocked on 18,000 doors, so it’s very rewarding. It’s really lifted everyone’s spirits.”
Hasan also said the endorsement could not have come at a better time due to the fact ballots will be mailed next week.
Vail Daily managing editor Matt Zalaznick said the decision process was hard fought, with almost half the editorial board casting its votes for Scanlan. But ultimately, he said Hasan’s liveliness and bold attitude tipped the scales in his favor.
“He has more energy and is more daring in his ideas,” Zalaznick said. “He is also more in touch with Eagle County.”
House District 56 has seen its last three representatives come from Summit County. Last week, the Summit Daily News announced its endorsement of Scanlan.
In 2006, the Daily threw its support behind Democrat Dan Gibbs, who was successfully elected to HD 56 but who vacated the seat after just a year. He moved to the Senate to replace then-Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, who resigned to unsuccessfully run for the U.S. Congress. Scanlan then took Gibbs's spot in the House. Gibbs is now running for re-election against Republican challenger Don Ytterberg.
Zalaznick said he expects his paper to endorse Mark Udall for U.S. Senate and Barack Obama for President but is still unsure whether or not the board will support Republican Al White or Democrat Ken Brenner in Colorado Senate District 8.