Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Mark Udall will speak in Colorado Springs on Friday at a public meeting hosted by a quintet of community groups.

Udall, an Eldorado Springs congressman, will speak from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Penrose Library's Carnegie room at 20 N. Cascade Ave. He is running against former Republican Congressman Bob Schaffer for the seat being vacated by retiring GOP Sen. Wayne Allard.

The event is hosted by the Black/Latino Leadership Coalition, Black Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Democratic Latino Initiative and Colorado Veterans Alliance.


Barbecue for Bidlack

House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and Hal Bidlack, Democratic candidate for the 5th Congressional District, will be on hand at a reception and barbecue Sunday, June 29, in the Briargate area.

A reception will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. at Patrick and Lisa Mieritz's home, 2817 Blackwood Place. A barbecue follows from 6 to 8 p.m. RSVP to briargatedems@earthlink.net or 321-6021. The recommended admission is $50 per adult.

On hand will be Rep. Mike Merrifield and local Democratic Party Chief John Morris. Patrick Mieritz is the precinct chairman.


Trading jabs

Fifth Congressional candidates Bentley Rayburn and Jeff Crank went at it this week after Rayburn backed out of a deal in which each agreed to drop out of the race if they were trailing by four points or more in a joint poll.

After the poll gave Crank a 17-point edge, Rayburn bagged the deal, saying the poll wasn't carried out as promised and that he had lost confidence in it.

The Crank campaign then blasted Rayburn for breaking his word and quoted him from a radio appearance as saying, "The thing I am most careful about is my word because the last thing I want to ever do is break a promise."

Crank's campaign pointed out Rayburn expressed disdain for written pledges but he signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge not to raise taxes, which he later derided on a KVOR radio program.

The campaign also noted that Rayburn claimed he's "lived here longer in Colorado since I was 10 years old than any other place." However, Crank's campaign noted Rayburn hasn't claimed residency in Colorado and hasn't paid property taxes on a home in Colorado.

On the KVOR program, Crank's campaign quoted Rayburn saying there are other states more "friendly" in tax policy to military members.

Rayburn's campaign fired back in a press release, accusing Crank of "cheap shots" similar to his negative campaigning two years ago. Rayburn has accused both Crank and Lamborn of negative campaigning in 2006 but hasn't been specific. Lamborn came under fire from then-Rep. Joel Hefley, who called Lamborn's tactics "sleazy." Crank wasn't openly criticized for negative campaigning in 2006.
Rayburn's campaign was asked to specify which ads, speeches, fliers or other methods they considered negative in 2006, but the campaign didn't respond.

In the press release, Rayburn also said the "negative attacks have resulted in deep divisions here within the Republican Party, divisions that still remain today."

"These are the type of tactics we have seen in the Hillary and Obama campaigns and are certainly not something we would have expected from a fellow Republican."

He called Crank's allegations "baseless."

"People are concerned about their future, and we need to focus our efforts on helping them solve these challenges," the retired Air Force officer said in the release. "With regard to my integrity, I believe that the soldiers with whom I have had the pleasure of serving, and my friends and associates in our community know that I am a man of my word, and nothing Jeff Crank or his folks can say will ever change that."


Homebuilders' endorsement

Crank has been endorsed by the National Association of Home Builders, comprised of more than 800 state and local associations nationwide.

"I am honored to have the endorsement of this exceptional organization," said Crank, who also received the endorsement of the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs back in January, as did Rayburn. He said his advocacy for the business community and knowledge of housing issues earned him this endorsement.

Crank also was endorsed this week by State Sen. Andy McElhany and Rep. Larry Liston.

Both noted Crank's roots in Colorado.

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