Lamborn disappointed with local GOP; will petition onto ballot

Saying he's lost confidence in the local Republican Party, Rep. Doug Lamborn said Tuesday he will petition onto the primary ballot in the three-way fight for the GOP nomination in the 5th Congressional District.

The announcement drew rebukes from challengers, who said it's a sign of Lamborn's weakness in the race.

In a recent letter to supporters, Lamborn said he has long been a backer of the assembly process, but he has decided to gather signatures instead.

Lamborn got on the ballot four times through the assembly - in 1994, '96, '98 and 2002 for legislative races and in 2006, when he won the 5th Congressional District seat.

"In all cases I was the winner in the following election," he wrote. But, he added, "the quality required" for electing a congressman "has been lacking, primarily in El Paso County."

Though he didn't blame individuals or elaborate in detail, Lamborn said problems arose from having six times the normal number of Republicans showing up for February's caucuses.

"This overwhelmed the ability of the county party to adequately monitor and track delegate information," he said. "Our own count showed me leading with those delegates we have been able to contact.

"Nevertheless, I have lost confidence that the various problems can be satisfactorily resolved by the date of the assembly."

He also said his Washington schedule "makes it difficult" for him to meet with more than 600 delegates and 600 alternates and give them "the personal time each deserves."

Lamborn didn't rule out attending future assemblies "after this unique election is over."

El Paso County Republican Party Executive Director Nathan Fisk disputed that problems exist with the party's ability to provide the information Lamborn cited.

Fisk said initial lists of delegates' and alternates' names and contact information were issued 10 days after the Feb. 5 caucuses and final lists 15 days after.

Caucuses were earlier than normal, Fisk said, so 5th Congressional District candidates had more time this year before the assemblies.

"There was plenty of time to talk to folks," Fisk said Tuesday. "There were no issues from the county party. Although there was a delay, it didn't have an end result of causing problems for anyone who wanted to talk to those folks."

Fisk called the assembly process "the most inclusive and empowering to individuals at the grass-roots level" and added, "While it is legal to petition onto the ballot, it is not equivalent to empowering the voices of the 12,000 caucus participants."

El Paso County has 1,034 delegates and alternates, the most by far of the six counties in the district.

Lamborn's decision means Colorado businessman Jeff Crank will cruise through the assembly to grab top line on the Aug. 12 primary ballot.

Crank called Lamborn's contention that 14,000 Republicans who attended caucuses in the district were somehow manipulated "laughable."

"He got outworked, outhustled, and he doesn't have the support of the rank and file of the Republican party," Crank said.

Crank said his count shows that about 60 percent of the delegates support him, 30 percent Lamborn, and 7 percent to 8 percent retired military officer Bentley Rayburn, who also is petitioning onto the ballot.

"When folks say they're going around it (assembly) for any other reason, the real reason is they don't have the support within the party," he said.

Rayburn said it may be unprecedented for an incumbent congressman from Colorado not to attend the assembly.

"It's an indication of his overall weakness," he said.

But Rayburn stopped short of predicting how Lamborn's decision will affect the primary campaign. With Lamborn petitioning on, and only 1,000 signatures required, a three-way race seems assured.

The three vied two years ago, along with three others, badly splitting the vote. Lamborn won with a plurality and swept the general election in the Republicandominated district.

Petitions are due May 29, the day before the assembly.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0238 or pam.zubeck@gazette.com