DA hopeful makes an appearance at GOP fundraiser

El Paso County Republicans must feel as if they are trapped in some warped parallel universe from a "Twilight Zone" episode.

First, they had to watch as 10,000 Colorado Democrats gathered at the World Arena this weekend to party.

Then, the GOP's annual Lincoln Day dinner on Sunday looked more like a dysfunctional family get-together than a celebration, with people whispering about who was there, who wasn't, "did you see that video?"

About 300 Republicans came out for the $80-a-plate fundraiser and to talk politics with U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, Attorney General John Suthers, assorted state and county officials and a collection of wannabes, including Lamborn opponents Jeff Crank and Bentley Rayburn.

Perhaps the most interesting face working the crowd was former 4th Judicial District deputy prosecutor Dan May.

Just two days into his campaign to unseat embattled District Attorney John Newsome, May was high-profile at the Antlers Hilton, shaking hands and inviting people to sign a petition to place his name on the Aug. 12 primary ballot.

May needs 1,000 signatures of registered Republicans by May 29, and he was frustrated Sunday that El Paso County GOP Chairman Greg Garcia wouldn't let him circulate petitions in the hotel hallways.

"People want a choice," May said, citing accountability and character as keys to his effort to unseat Newsome, who defeated May in 2004.

"It feels like a violation of freedom of speech to ban our petition-gatherers," May said.

May jumped into the race after a KOAA hiddencamera investigation caught Newsome drinking about 130 ounces of beer over about five hours and then driving.

Seen at the bar Sunday during the cocktail hour, May turned around and was asked "what are you drinking?"

"Ice water, of course," May said.

Many in the crowd could be heard talking about the KOAA video. But few Republican officials wanted to talk about it. Suthers was the exception.

"I understand why people are upset about it," Suthers said. "The amount of alcohol involved manifests an issue Mr. Newsome needs to deal with."

Suthers said he didn't necessarily believe Newsome needed to resign.

"He has an issue with alcohol that he needs to confront and get some assistance," Suthers said.

Newsome bought tickets for the dinner, party officials said, but they had not seen him arrive by dinnertime.

With more Democrats than ever holding seats in the Statehouse and the May/Newsome contest and the Lamborn/Crank/Rayburn sequel playing out, it might seem the El Paso County GOP is in a bit of disarray.

Not so, insists Suthers and other GOP leaders.

"I've been in the Republican Party in El Paso County for 35 years," Suthers said. "In any county where one party is dominant, intraparty feuding is typical. It's the nature of the deal. And I do not believe it will damage the party's ability to win and hold office."

Steve Schuck, who sought the Republican nomination for governor in 1982 and 1986, went farther, calling the squabbling "healthy" for the party.

"It shows Republicans are committed to getting the best possible people in office," Schuck said. "There is nothing unhealthy about disagreement. If anything, we have too little of this."