GOP battle: who’s more conservative?

    El Paso County Republicans jostled at their pre-election assembly Saturday to take credit for being the most politically conservative.

    In a speech nominating Catherine Roupe to run for the seat representing state House District 17, Garland Turley said "I know Kit to be a conservative's conservative."

    Roupe said she supports lower taxes, affordable health care and minimal government interference with the private sector. But some weren't so sure of her conservative credentials a few minutes later, when Jim Schlichting asked her to discuss her position on abortion.

    "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm not going to lie to you, I'm a pro-choice candidate," Roupe said. "I don't believe this is a government responsibility. This is a personal right."

    Roupe won 66 percent of the delegate votes at the county assembly, which guarantees her a space on the Aug. 12 primary election ballot. Her Republican opponent, Sheila Hicks, got 34 percent, also more than the 30 percent threshold required for a space on the ballot.

    Hicks said she opposes abortion and told delegates about her experience lobbying lawmakers at the Capitol on behalf of the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition. Discussing her desire to ensure greater access to welfare programs and more efficient spending of welfare dollars, Hicks acknowledged she might sound like a Democrat but was quick to say where she stands.
    "Ask a Democrat if I'm conservative. They'll tell you," she said.

    Other Republicans went out of their ways to burnish conservative credentials and bash liberal beliefs. Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., who's running for a second term in Washington, bragged about voting against Democratic Party proposals more than anyone else in the House of Representatives.

    Amy Lathen, who's running with no Republican opposition to represent District 2 on the Board of County Commissioners, compared the Democratic Party agenda to socialism. She spoke in favor of enhancements to public safety, roads and water management. Lathen was appointed this year to replace Douglas Bruce, who quit as a commissioner to take an appointment to the Colorado House of Representatives. Now Lathen wants election to a four-year term.

    In state House District 18, which covers central Colorado Springs and western El Paso County, it looked like there might be no GOP candidate until two people stepped forward. State Rep. Michael Merrifield, a Democrat from Manitou Springs, is seeking another term in the office.

    Colorado Springs City Councilman Tom Gallagher couldn't make it to the meeting, but someone nominated him as a candidate for House District 18. Gallagher won 70 percent of the delegate votes, which technically gives him top billing on the primary ballot. But he said he'll step down and support Kate Szot.