Too Partisan for SOS Job
DENVER- GOP election lawyer Scott Gessler has been deeply involved for years in many of the most partisan ideological causes Colorado has seen. He has worked for several GOP-related attack groups and has actively opposed efforts to bring more transparency to Colorado’s elections and campaign finance. And yet, Scott Gessler still feels he is the best person suited for the job of Colorado’s chief elections official ensuring that elections are conducted fairly and impartially.
“Scott Gessler doesn’t know the meaning of fairness or how to be impartial,” stated Pat Waak, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party. “Gessler’s checkered past of supporting and defending negative attack groups that are breaking election law and working with groups that are opposed to improving the lives of Coloradans is in direct opposition with the office he is seeking. Scott has proven he doesn’t have the transparency and objectivity that the Secretary of State’s office needs.”
The Secretary of State is Colorado’s chief elections official, responsible for ensuring elections are carried out in accordance with the state Constitution and statutes. Moreover, the Secretary of State office guarantees the people of Colorado that elections are conducted fairly and impartially. The Secretary of State is also responsible for enforcing a variety of laws making elections and campaign finance more transparent to Colorado Voters.
Background:
Negative Campaign Groups:
Trailhead Group, 2006
The Trailhead Group was the most heavily funded 527 group in Colorado in the 2006 election, raising and spending more than $5 million attacking Democratic candidates. Gessler sought to raise money for Trailhead’s legal defense when it was accused of violating election law. Source: Colorado Independent
Coloradans for Economic Growth, 2008
Gessler’s firm created this 501(c)4 group which was responsible for nearly $700,000 in negative advertising in the U.S. Senate race that year. Sources: Colorado Independent, SOS Business Division Filing.
Coloradans for Change, 2008
Gessler’s firm also created this Republican attack group, a 527, which spent money on mail and broadcast ads in the 2008 election. Source: SOS Campaign Finance record.
Ideological Groups:
Amendment 42, 2006
Gessler was the registered agent for and was paid by the “Respect Colorado’s Constitution” issue committee which opposed increasing Colorado’s minimum wage. Colorado voters approved Amendment 42 by a margin of 6.5% in 2006. Source: SOS Campaign Finance records. Record 2. Record 3.
Amendment 46, 2008
Gessler was an attorney for the “Colorado Civil Rights Initiative Committee” which supported the discriminatory Amendment 46, a ballot measure defeated by Colorado Voters in 2008. Source: SOS Campaign Finance records.
Face the State
Gessler’s law firm is the registered agent for this Republican-friendly web site. Source: SOS Business Division Filing.
Opposition to Transparency:
Opposition to Initiative Petition Reform
Gessler opposed HB09-1326, a bill to prevent fraud in initiative petition signature gathering. Source: Gessler campaign email.
Opposition to 527 Organization Disclosure
Gessler opposed HB07-1074, a bill to make donations to and expenditures by 527 organizations available on the Colorado Secretary of State web site to Coloradans interested in tracking money in their elections. Source: Colorado General Assembly committee summary, House State, Veterans and Military Affairs 1/25/2007.
Opposition to voting rights in Denver 2006
When voters in Denver county experienced long lines and hours-long delays due to technical problems in 2006, Gessler testified in opposition to keeping polling places open longer so voters kept in line could exercise their right to vote. Source: Colorado Independent.