In depth info on race hopefuls

In Republican-dominated El Paso County, the primary election is often the only time voters have a voice.

Democrats have been making up some ground in recent years — electing two state lawmakers — and have candidates in all of the races except the contest for 4th Judicial District attorney.

But the GOP nomination can still be tantamount to getting elected and there are six party rumbles that Pikes Peak-region Republicans can vote on Aug. 12.

Today’s Gazette voters guide provides a snapshot of candidates seeking the GOP nomination to run for Congress, the Legislature and district attorney, and their positions on such issues as the Iraq war and energy.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE YEAR'S ELECTIONS

WHERE TO VOTE, HOW TO DO IT EARLY, AND HOW TO DO IT FROM HOME

THE PRIMARY ELECTION AUG. 12

The primary election is when political parties select nominees to run in the general election, Nov. 4. Only members of the major Political parties may vote in a primary. there are no Democratic Party nomination contests in El Paso or Teller counties this year, but registered Democrats can cast a vote for the sole candidate in the race in the primary if they wish. There are a handful of
contested Republican Party races.

The last day to register to vote in the primary was July 14.

Unaffiliated voters who want to vote in a primary must change their registration to Republican or Democrat in submitting an Application for a mail-in ballot, at an early voting site or on the day of the primary when they vote.

For Democrats and Republicans, the last day to change party affiliation for the primary election was July 14. Voters should be prepared to show ID (usually a driver’s license) at a polling place or an early voting site. Those who vote by mail have to provide a copy of an ID if they didn’t meet the ID requirement when they registered to vote. The return envelope for mailin ballots indicates whether each voter must include a copy of an ID.

Election officials mailed information cards in early July with the polling place for each voter. Polling place locations are also Available by calling the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder at 575-8683.

On Election Day in Teller County, voters may cast ballots at any of five voting centers:

• Rampart Regional Library, 218 E. Midland Ave., Woodland Park

• Summit Elementary School, 490 Meadow Park Drive, Divide

• Florissant Public Library, 334 Circle Drive, Florissant

• Centennial Building, 112 N. A St., Cripple Creek

• Victor City Hall, 500 Victor Ave., Victor Teller County voters who use mail-in ballots may drop them ofi on primary day at either of two locations:

• Clerk and Recorder’s Office, 1091 W. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek

• Woodland Park Branch Office, 540 Manor Court

• All polling places and voting centers are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

EARLY VOTING

In El Paso County, early voting continues Aug. 4- 8. It’s at the following locations:

• Downtown — Centennial Hall, 200 S. Cascade Ave., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• The Citadel mall — Suite 3124 on the upper level near JC Penney, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Chapel Hills Mall — Suite 179 on the lower level near the food court escalator, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In Teller County, early voting is available Aug. 4- 8 at the following locations:

• Centennial Building — 112 N. A St., Cripple Creek, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Rampart Regional Library — 218 E. Midland Ave., Woodland Park, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

MAIL-IN BALLOTS

To request a mail-in ballot in El Paso County, find the application online at http://car.elpasoco.com/election or call 575-8683.

In Teller County, visit www.co.teller.co.us/Clerk%20and%20Recorder/voter.htm or call 689-2951 option 5.

The last day to request a mail-in ballot by mail is Aug. 5. The last day to request one inperson at an election ofice is Aug. 8.

POLITICAL CONTACTS

El Paso County Democratic Party, 473-8713, www.peakdems.org

El Paso County Republican Party, 578-0022, www.gopelpaso.com

Teller County Democratic Party, www.tellerdems.org

Teller County Republican Party, 687-7429

U.S. CONGRESS

QUESTIONS FOR THE CANDIDATES

• What is your position on the war in Iraq? Do you support withdrawal or a continued U.S. presence?

• How would you address the country’s energy needs, the rising price of oil and climate change?

• What can be done to improve the economy?

DOUG LAMBORN

- Age: 54

- Education: B.S. journalism, University of Kansas, 1978 J.D. law, University of Kansas, 1986

- National merit scholar

- Employment: Attorney in private practice

- Military: None

- Party: Republican

- Political experience: 12 years in the Colorado House and Senate. Serving first term as U.S. congressman for the 5th congressional District of Colorado.

- Contact information: Lamborn for Congress, P.O. Box 64107, Colorado Springs, CO 80962. Phone: 238-9077; Web site: www.lambornforcongress.com

- War: In Congress I have supported fighting the war in Iraq and Afghanistan so these countries can build stable and democratic governments and defend themselves without us. I supported the surge, and have seen its successful implementation in Iraq. In
Congress, I have voted against arbitrary troop withdrawal timelines and conditions.

- Energy: In Congress, I have worked for numerous proposals to immediately and dramatically ramp up domestic oil and gas drilling, especially in deep water and the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge. Other longer-term solutions include more refinery capacity, nuclear, alternative, and conservation. Climate change prevention should not come by hurting job creation and the economy.

- Economy: In Congress, I strongly support cutting bloated spending. I have introduced measures to limit the national debt and limit government programs. Energy must be more available and affordable. Taxes and regulation should be lower. (President Ronald) reagan was right — our economy will thrive if we don’t put roadblocks in front of Americans.

BENTLEY RAYBURN

- Age: 55

- Education: Air Force Academy, B.S., mathematics and basic sciences, 1975 Georgetown University, M.A., political science with a certificate in national security studies, 1982

- U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, honor graduate, 1985-1986

- Harvard School for Senior Executives in National Security

- Party: Republican

- Volunteer positions: Board of Directors, God’s World Publications, 1992-2006

- Board of Directors, Officers’ Christian Fellowship

- Chairman, Southern Colorado National Veterans Cemetery Committee

- El Paso County Republican Party Central Committee

- Military: Major General, USAF, retired, April 2006 (official bio at www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioid=6857)

- F-4/F-16 instructor pilot/weapons officer

- Member, Secretary of the Air Force Staff Group

- Commander, 434th Fighter Training Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.

- Commander, USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, N.V.

- Commander, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, Utah

- Commander, 4404th Wing, Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia

- Inspector General & Director of Plans, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va.

- Commandant, Air War College

- Contact information: Rayburn for Congress, 8610 Explorer, Suite 140, Colorado Springs, CO 80920-1058; e-mail: askbentley@rayburnforcongress.org; 884-7457

- War: I’ve commanded in the Middle East. Iraq is a strategic battle in war against radical Islam. We must succeed for our own national security interests. We’ve made significant strides in stabilizing the country and reducing the violence. I look to the field generals to say when they can reduce the numbers of American troops.

- Energy: We can and must be energy independent. Increase the supply of oil to keep up with a rapidly increasing, worldwide demand. I have firsthand experience at the ANWR. We must drill there, and ofishore and develop oil from shale and liquid fuels from coal in an environmentally sound way. Encourage development of alternative energy forms including nuclear power.

- Economy: Government must foster free-market solutions to economic challenges. We are experiencing 1970s-style stagflation: slowing economic growth, rising inflation, and rising unemployment. Reaganomics cured that 30 years ago, and can again. Reduce taxes, reduce reckless government spending, strengthen the currency. The economy will heal itself. I was responsible for balancing huge ($17.2 billion) budgets. It can be done.

JEFF CRANK

- Age: 41

- Education: B.A. political science, Colorado State University

- Employment: President of Rocky Mountain Consultants

- Party: Republican

- Political experience: Candidate for U.S. Congress in the 5th Congressional District in 2006

- Senior vice president for Governmental Affairs for the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce

- Staff member to U.S. Rep. Joel Hefley on Capitol Hill

- Military: None

- Contact information: Crank for Congress, P.O. Box 50887, Colorado Springs, CO 80949; e-mail: jeffcrank08@gmail.com; phone: 264-6306

- War: We need to see the Iraq conflict through to victory. It is a key component in the war on terror. Radical Islamic jihadists — whether exempliffed by the Taliban, Hamas, Hezbollah, al-Qaida or other violent sects — are a real threat to America’s security and interests. There is little doubt in my mind that were America to retreat from Iraq prematurely, we would invite even greater troop commitments to the Middle East in the future. Iraq’s peace and democracy are still fragile. It is still susceptible to hostile elements in Iran. To follow Barack Obama’s plan of full and immediate withdrawal would only embolden al-Qaida and other hostile elements.

- Energy: I have proposed several solutions to address America’s energy challenges. While government policy is not the sole cause of skyrocketing fuel prices, it is a significant component. Federal energy policy created the food versus fuel tension. Government subsidies and mandates for ethanol and biofuels are wrongheaded and distort the market. We simply must lift prohibitions on fomestic drilling, including off-shore and the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve. We should focus federal government research and fevelopment efforts on promising technologies. Temporary gas tax relief is appropriate. Federal government policy drove up the cost of gas. A short-term break from the gas tax is a Band Aid, but an appropriate one. We should encourage the development of more nuclear reactors.

- Economy: First, government simply needs to get out of the way. With years of experience dealing with issues that are important to businesses large and small, I know that the United States owes its prosperity to our free market free enterprise system. I believe that government can’t create wealth, but it can certainly destroy it. Therefore, the only proper role for government in our economy is to foster an environment in which American entrepreneurs can use their creativity and their willingness to take risks in order to create jobs, make new products, deliver wanted services, and, yes, earn profits.

Second, we must cut deficit spending and reduce our national debt.

Third, we must pursue free trade policies that reward our best trading partners but crack down on countries that treat free-trade like a one-way street.

Fourth, we must rein in reckless regulation, which creates cumbersome red-tape that hurts employers, particularly small business.

FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY

QUESTIONS FOR THE CANDIDATES

• With violent crime on the rise but space in jails and prisons unable to keep pace, are changes needed in sentencing and parole laws?

• Why are plea bargains so prevalent and when/why are they appropriate?

JOHN R. NEWSOME

- Age: 39

- Education: B.A. political science, University of Southern California, 1991

- Institute of International and Comparative Law, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, 1992

- J.D. law, University of San Diego, 1993

- Employment: District Attorney, 4th Judicial District of Colorado

- Deputy District Attorney, 4th Judicial District

- Head, Department of Juvenile Prosecution

- Head, Crimes Against Children

- Head, Vehicular Homicide Unit

- Military: None

- Party: Republican

- Political experience: Precinct committee person, division leader, 4th Judicial chairman, elected to Republican executive committee

- Delegate to county, state, 4th Judicial, and 5th Congressional assemblies

- Judicial Performance Commission

- Authored and helped pass legislation making possession of child pornography a felony

- Named by governor to Commission on DNA

- Contact information: Committee to Re-Elect John Newsome 912 N. Circle Drive, Suite 200 Colorado Springs, CO 80909. Phone: 200-3055; e-mail: john@newsome4da.com; Web site: www.newsome4da.com

- Crime: Colorado needs “truth in sentencing” laws and additional prisons. Contrary to popular belief, first-time, nonviolent criminals are not sentenced to the Department of Corrections. Felons earn their way to prison by continuing criminal behavior. In 2007, El Paso County sent nearly 900 individuals to prison, all of whom deserved to be there. Colorado is in desperate need of drug treatment facilities, particularly for meth addiction.

- Plea agreements: Our office, in 2007, set an all-time felony trial record, which means that fewer cases are being plea-bargained than ever before. When prosecuting criminals, we face the challenge of balancing punishment with the ability to become productive contributing members of society. First-time and nonviolent offenders are often given an opportunity to make amends for their wrongdoing. The rights of victims are of the utmost importance. Court-approved plea agreements are an efficient way of managing the 40,000 cases that go through our courts each year, and are often based upon the evidence.

DAN MAY

- Age: 52

- Education: B.S. economics, Arizona State University, 1978

- J.D. law, Creighton University, 1981

- Employment: Chief Deputy District Attorney in charge of County Courts, 18th Judicial District

- Assistant District Attorney, 4th Judicial District

- Chief trial attorney in charge of all homicides and felony prosecutions under John Suthers

- Head of Narcotics

- Head of Vehicular Homicide

- Military: None

- Party: Republican

- Political experience: Committee person and division leader

- House district vice chairman and chairman

- Worked on political campaigns: Senate, gubernatorial, Congress, district attorney, representative, attorney general

- Contact information: Dan May for DA 18 E. Willamette Ave. No. 1, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Phone: 632-0202; e-mail: dannymayforda@gmail.com; Web site: www.danmayforda.org

- Crime: The top priority for the district attorney is to keep our community safe. At the same time, tax dollars must be used responsibly and effectively. Incarceration must be to protect the public from habitual and violent criminals. Far too many of our mentally ill are held in jails. We need to look at more effective treatment programs, which would be at a lower cost to the taxpayer and at the same time beneficial to the community at large.

- Plea agreements: Most crimes have a broad penalty range. Most cases do not require the maximum sentence, so a plea agreement is appropriate. However, the record of the current district attorney in plea-bargaining murderers is alarming. In 2004, 13 homicides were taken to trial. Under the current administration, only 16 homicides have been taken to trial over the next three years. One out of three of those trials did not result in a conviction. Plea bargains and losses are putting murderers back on our streets.

STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 15

QUESTIONS FOR THE CANDIDATES (SAME FOR BOTH DISTRICTS)

• What do you see as the state’s most pressing need(s) — for example, health care and the uninsured, transportation and mass transit, education reform and the accessibility of higher education — and what are the solutions?

• Does the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights need to be repealed or amended to give government flexibility to fund priorities?

DOUGLAS BRUCE

- Age: 58

- Education: B.A. history and government, Pomona College, 1970

- J.D. law, University of Southern California Law Center, 1973

- Employment: Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney

- Real estate investor

- Military: None

- Party: Republican

- Political experience: Precinct captain for 20 years

- Authored city and state Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights amendments

- El Paso County commissioner

- State representative, appointed

- Contact information: Home phone: 550-0010; e-mail: taxcutter@msn. com; Web site: www.douglasbruce.com

- State needs: Honesty — tell the truth and keep your promises; fidelity — uphold all the constitution, all the time; frugality — stop illegal tax and debt increases; morality — put God ahead of government; liberty — enforce fiscal and legal limits on government; "Government is not the solution; government is the problem.” — President Ronald Reagan

- TABOR: I proudly wrote TABOR! TABOR should be obeyed and honored, not violated or trashed. “Government flexibility” translates as “tax increase.” Priorities will be set only when revenue is limited. Governments should live on budgets, not blank checks. All tax-and-spenders should be ousted this November. Only future slaves trust government.

MARK WALLER

- Age: 39

- education: B.S. political science, Southern Illinois University

- M.S. space studies, University of North Dakota

- J.D. law, University of Denver College of Law

- Employment: Deputy District Attorney, 10th Judicial District

- Military: Air Force officer, Air Force Reserve

- Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, Peterson Air Force Base

- Party: Republican

- Political experience: County delegate 2008

- Precinct committee person 2008

- Contact information: Phone: 290-1292; e-mail: wallerforhd15@comcast.net; Web address: www.markwallerforhd15.org

- State needs: Revitalizing the economy; transportation and infrastructure

- TABOR: NO! Citizens should have the right to vote on tax increases.

STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 17

SHEILA HICKS

- Party: Republican No information provided by the candidate.

CATHERINE M. “KIT” ROUPE

- Age: 52

- Education: B.S, business administration, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, 1988

- Employment: HDR/Nakata Planning Group, project manager, senior military community planner

- CH2M HILL , AFA community planner and cultural resource manager

- Army, Fort Carson and Baumholder, West Germany, civilian employee

- Military: Army, honorably discharged, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal

- Party: Republican

- Political experience: 4th Judicial District Judicial Performance Commission, chairwoman

- Pikes Peak Regional Transportation Authority, alternate member at large

- Harrison School District 2, citizens advisory Committee

- School District 11, district accountability advisory committee

- Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments Community Advisory Committee, chairperson

- Assisted on campaigns for Gov. Bill Owens, state Sens. Ray Powers and Mary Ellen Epps; state Reps. Bill Sinclair and Mark Cloer, county Commissioner Sallie Clark, and City Councilwoman Margaret Radford

- El Paso County commissioner candidate

- Contact information: Friends of Catherine Roupe, P.O. Box 75892, Colorado Springs, CO 80970. Phone: 238-4656; e-mail: catherineroupe@yahoo.com; Web site: www.catherineroupe.com

- State needs: My district is representative of many districts throughout the state of Colorado. People I visit with repeatedly say jobs, affordable health care, and public safety are foremost on their minds. Working with businesses and the state, we need to streamline paperwork affecting businesses that will help keep jobs and create new jobs. Education is also critical as it ensures the skills and knowledge needed for employment is met. People need some relief from the cost of health care and we can provide some immediate, marketbased relief with a bipartisan initiative. Public safety affects everyone and we need to make our tax dollars address these needs. My district includes Fort Carson and we cannot forget our fundamental need to support our active-duty service members, their families and veterans.

- TABOR: I do support TABOR and think there are some unintended consequences that need to be addressed. TABOR has resulted in some communities double-taxing their citizens. A refinement should be considered to begin to resolve this situation. We should limit taxes and make spending taxes more efficient, effective and accountable.