The Return of Your Father's Republican Party? [View All]

[Moderate Donkey]

Colorado GOP battle of Moderates vs. rightwingers spill over into local county

If the recent statewide breakdown of the Republican Party was a quake, then La Plata County might well be the epicenter.

In an e-mail exchange this week, an active county Republican traded barbs with state Rep. Mark Larson, R-Cortez, calling the lawmaker a "backstabber" and comparing his criticism of party leaders to Benedict Arnold "carping about George Washington's leadership."

"In addition to being a traitor to your party and constituency, like most bullies you are also a coward," John H. Lopez wrote to Larson in an e-mail. The message was copied to dozens of others, including Attorney General John Suthers, former state treasurer Mike Coffman and County Commissioner Sheryl Ayers.

In his e-mail to Larson, Lopez said the county party had promised to fully support him in a state Senate bid if the lawmaker apologized for his controversial endorsement of Democrat Ken Salazar in the 2004 U.S. Senate race.

"This you promised to do in a face-to-face meeting with (county chairwoman Shannon Richardson) and me," Lopez wrote. "You lied. We are well rid of you. Now act like a man and put a cork in it."

On Dec. 21, Larson abruptly withdrew from the 6th District state Senate race against incumbent Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus. Fallout from Larson's departure has rippled through Colorado political circles. A Larson victory was widely considered the party's best chance of reversing the Democrats' 18-17 margin in the state Senate.

Again Wednesday, Larson accused hard-line right wingers of purging party moderates, even if it means losing races.

Another La Plata County Republican, former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Ignacio, echoed Larson's criticism. On Tuesday, he flatly ruled out a run for governor on the GOP ticket, citing the "absolute obedience" demanded by powerful conservatives.

On Wednesday, Larson blamed the local meltdown on conservative transplants from out of state who are muscling moderates from the party.

"They say I'm dividing the party. Well, I've been here a hell of a lot longer," he said. "It's a fight we're having for the life of the party, and I hope the moderates will stand up."

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