The Mesa County Republican Women hosted a forum for several candidates running for various offices in the upcoming elections. The event took place at the Grand Vista Hotel on Friday, March 5, 2024, and attracted a large crowd of supporters and voters.

CD-3 Hopefuls Share Their Vision

One of the main attractions of the forum was the presentation of the candidates vying for the Congressional District 3 seat, currently held by Democrat Diane Mitsch Bush. The CD-3 covers most of the western and southern parts of Colorado, including Mesa County.

The Republican candidates who spoke at the forum were:

• Lauren Boebert, the owner of Shooters Grill in Rifle and a vocal advocate for gun rights and constitutional freedoms. She challenged Mitsch Bush in 2022 and lost by a narrow margin. She said she is running again to “restore the voice of the people” and “fight back against the radical left agenda”.
• Scott Tipton, the former congressman who represented CD-3 from 2011 to 2021. He was defeated by Boebert in the 2022 Republican primary. He said he is running again to “bring back common sense and conservative values” and “work with President Trump to rebuild our economy and secure our borders”.
• Perry Will, the state representative for House District 57, which covers Garfield, Rio Blanco, and Moffat counties. He was appointed to the seat in 2019 and re-elected in 2020 and 2022. He said he is running to “bring his experience and leadership” and “stand up for rural Colorado and our natural resources”.

The candidates expressed their views on various issues, such as health care, immigration, energy, education, and national security. They also criticized Mitsch Bush for her voting record and her support for the Biden administration’s policies.

County Commissioner Challengers Make Their Case

Another highlight of the forum was the introduction of the candidates running for the Mesa County Board of Commissioners. The board consists of three members who are elected by district for four-year terms. The current commissioners are:

• Janet Rowland, the chair of the board and the commissioner for District 3, which covers the eastern part of the county. She was elected in 2018 and is seeking re-election in 2024. She is a former state representative and a former executive director of CASA of Mesa County, a nonprofit organization that advocates for abused and neglected children.
• Scott McInnis, the commissioner for District 1, which covers the central part of the county. He was elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. He is a former congressman who represented CD-3 from 1993 to 2005. He is also a former state senator and a former Mesa County sheriff.
• Cody Davis, the commissioner for District 2, which covers the western part of the county. He was elected in 2020 and is serving his first term. He is a business owner and a former board member of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Republican candidates who are challenging the incumbents are:

• Rose Pugliese, the former commissioner for District 3, who served from 2013 to 2021. She is running against Rowland for the same seat. She is an attorney and a former chair of the Mesa County Republican Party. She said she is running to “restore fiscal responsibility and transparency” and “protect our constitutional rights and freedoms”.
• Greg Walcher, the former commissioner for District 1, who served from 1993 to 1999. He is running against McInnis for the same seat. He is a consultant and a former executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. He said he is running to “promote economic development and job creation” and “defend our water and land rights”.
• John Justman, the former commissioner for District 2, who served from 2013 to 2021. He is running against Davis for the same seat. He is a farmer and a former board member of the Colorado Farm Bureau. He said he is running to “support agriculture and rural communities” and “reduce regulations and taxes”.

The candidates discussed their vision and goals for the county, as well as their qualifications and experience. They also addressed some of the challenges and opportunities facing the county, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the public health order, the oil and gas industry, the broadband access, and the transportation infrastructure.

Other Candidates and Speakers

The forum also featured other candidates and speakers who are running for or involved in various offices and organizations. These included:

• Ron Hanks, the state representative for House District 60, which covers Custer, Fremont, Park, and Teller counties. He is running for re-election in 2024. He is a businessman and a former military officer. He spoke about his legislative achievements and his support for election integrity and gun rights.
• Matt Soper, the state representative for House District 54, which covers Delta and Mesa counties. He is running for re-election in 2024. He is an attorney and a former policy analyst. He spoke about his legislative priorities and his opposition to the red flag law and the national popular vote compact.
• Lauren Martinez, the chair of the Mesa County Republican Party. She is a real estate agent and a former teacher. She spoke about the party’s activities and events, as well as the importance of voter registration and participation.
• Kevin McCarney, the president of the Mesa County Republican Men’s Club. He is a retired engineer and a former board member of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. He spoke about the club’s mission and membership, as well as the upcoming fundraisers and socials.

The forum concluded with a question and answer session, where the audience members had the opportunity to ask the candidates and speakers about their positions and plans. The forum was moderated by Ja’Ronn Alex, a reporter for KKCO 11 News, who also provided a live coverage of the event.