Face The State Staff Report
Joyce Foster, a Democrat candidate for Colorado's 35th Senate District is speaking out after being questioned by primary opponent, state Rep. Alice Borodkin, in a letter obtained by Face The State.
FosterJoyceFoster.com
“[Borodkin] impugned my integrity and there were falsehoods in there,” Foster said. “That letter was borderline defamation.”
As Face The State reported Friday, Borodkin sent the May 5th letter to Foster, attacking Foster's son's lobbying ties as a potential conflict of interest should Foster be elected. Borodkin also sent the a copy of the letter to Secretary of State Mike Coffman and Attorney General John Suthers. Foster and Borodkin are vying to replace term-limited Democrat Ken Gordon.
Foster says she was “appalled” by the letter and doesn’t understand why Borodkin felt the need to write it.
Last year, Borodkin was the target of political attacks initiated by a big business coalition headed up by Colorado Concern. In letter, Borodkin alleges that Foster’s son might have been involved because of the lobbying interests he represents.
Foster adamantly denies the link. In a response letter, Foster makes it clear that her son, David Foster, “does not now and never has represented the Colorado Association of Home Builders or Colorado Concern. In fact, last year when he was asked to represent the groups, he declined.”
Having previously served on the Denver City Council for 10 years, Foster says that she is well aware of Colorado ethics laws regarding potential conflicts of interest and has recused herself from votes in the past for that reason. She also suspects that Borodkin’s letter was prompted by the release of the candidates' most recent campaign finance filings, which show Foster outpacing Borodkin by $52,456 to $2,331 in total fundraising as of the beginning of May.
As Face The State reported Friday, Borodkin said that she did not intend her letter as a way to discourage Foster from running. "I just want to know, will she vote on these bills?" Borodkin asked. "It's a question that's been bothering me since she announced that she would run."
Foster doesn’t plan on backing down and writes that the people of her district “want a leader who will work collaboratively to find solutions and not an obstructionist who has accomplished very little after eight years in the legislature.”